Psalms 72:12

12 For he will 1deliver the needy when he cries for help, The afflicted also, and him who has no helper.

Psalms 72:12 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 72:12

For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth
Such as are not only in want, but are sensible of it, see their need of Christ and his righteousness, and salvation by him, and cry to him for the same, under a sense of their misery and danger; these he delivers out of all their troubles, and out of the hands of all their enemies, and supplies all their need;

the poor also;
the poor in spirit; who acknowledge their spiritual poverty, and apply to him for the true riches; to these he gives gold tried in the fire, that they may be rich; he gives them grace here, and glory hereafter;

and [him] that hath no helper;
that is in an helpless condition; can neither help himself, nor can any creature, angel or man, give him any help: but this being laid on Christ, and found in him, is given to him, whereby he is delivered out of a miserable state into a very comfortable and happy one; and such humane, kind, and tender regard to the needy, poor, and helpless, in this great King spoken of, is what engages to a cheerful subjection to him, and worship and reverence of him; more of which is expressed in the following verses, as the reason of the great esteem he should be had in.

Psalms 72:12 In-Context

10 Let the kings of Tarshish and of the islands bring presents; The kings of Sheba and Seba offer gifts.
11 And let all kings bow down before him, All nations serve him.
12 For he will deliver the needy when he cries for help, The afflicted also, and him who has no helper.
13 He will have compassion on the poor and needy, And the lives of the needy he will save.
14 He will rescue their life from oppression and violence, And their blood will be precious in his sight;

Cross References 1

  • 1. Job 29:12; Psalms 72:4

Footnotes 1

New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, California.  All rights reserved.