The Reign Of Messiah.

THE REIGN OF MESSIAH.

Psalm 72:1-8.

The name of Solomon is associated with this Psalm, and it is quite possible that this sacred song was premiered on the occasion of his coronation. However, Christians recognise Jesus as the fullest fulfilment of the ideal king in this chapter.

Psalm 72:1. As king, Jesus has the power to establish justice. He is endowed with righteousness as the King’s Son. We submit to His kingship, and pray for the manifestation of His righteous judgment.

Psalm 72:2. As quickly as the prayer is uttered we are presented with a definite answer: His people shall benefit from His righteous judgment. There is no partiality (cf. Romans 2:11), but the poor in spirit do have God’s favour (cf. Matthew 5:3). We should desire this gracious rule in our own hearts.

Psalm 72:3. The mountains will bring “shalom”: peace, prosperity, wellbeing. This is because the kingdom is established in righteousness (cf. Isaiah 32:17). Jesus Himself is our righteousness (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:30), and our peace (cf. Ephesians 2:14).

Psalm 72:4. Jesus our king brings justice and salvation to His people (cf. Luke 4:18-19). He also executes righteous judgment against those who oppress His people. Nothing, and no-one, can separate us from the love of God which is ours in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Psalm 72:5. Jeremiah speaks of the ordinances of sun, moon and stars (cf. Jeremiah 31:35-36; Jeremiah 33:20-21). The prophet foresees Jesus when he says that as long as these things remain, there will be a king to sit upon the throne of David. There shall also always be a people to reverence King Jesus.

Psalm 72:6. There is a gentleness in Jesus’ coming (cf. Isaiah 42:3). Every drop of rain is a blessing from God. The gospel brings refreshment to the weary and parched soul.

Psalm 72:7. God’s people flourish when Jesus is manifested amongst them. Then they abound in “shalom”: peace, prosperity, wellbeing. Again, the Psalmist draws our attention to the ordinance of the moon.

Psalm 72:8. It is evident that there were limitations to Solomon’s reign, and the monarchy fell into serious decline after his death. However, this only served to intensify the appetite among the godly for the fuller fulfilment which would herald the dawn of Messiah’s reign.

In the fullest sense, this Psalm is all about our Lord Jesus Christ. All that the Israelite monarchy stood for foreshadowed ‘great David’s greater Son’ (as one of our hymns puts it). So whether this is a prayer or a prophecy, it fits in neatly with our own Lord’s Prayer, ‘Thy kingdom come.’