Give the king your justice, O God, and your righteousness to the royal son!
English Standard Version (ESV)
This isn't just a prayer for a king; it's a prayer that the king would receive God's very own "judgments" and "righteousness." This means the request is for the king to embody God's perfect standards and character in his rule, not just to follow human laws. It highlights that true justice and righteousness flow directly from God, and any earthly ruler needs Him to truly govern well.
Give the king your justice, O God, and your righteousness to the royal son!
English Standard Version (ESV)
This psalm, presented as a prayer or prophecy concerning Solomon's reign, opens with a plea for divine wisdom and justice for the king. David, as Solomon's father and predecessor, prays that his son will rule according to God's own principles and character, setting the stage for a description of an ideal, just, and enduring kingdom. The psalm then unfolds, detailing the blessings and characteristics of such a righteous rule, often seen as pointing beyond Solomon to the ultimate reign of the Messiah.
What does it mean for a king to be given 'your justice' and 'your righteousness' by God? It's more than just knowing the rules.
This verse is a prayer, a plea from David (or the community) for the king – understood by many to be Solomon, but ultimately pointing to Christ – to rule not just with human wisdom, but with divine qualities.
Divine Equipment
'Give the king your justice, O God' calls for God to equip the king with His own principles of justice. This isn't just about knowing laws; it's about embodying God's standard for fairness and right judgment. It's about understanding how God rules and being empowered to do the same.
The Heart of Righteousness
'And your righteousness to the royal son!' points to the inner disposition. Righteousness here signifies a moral uprightness, a rightness of character that flows from God. It means the king should possess and act from a heart aligned with God's will, not just his own desires or the pressures of the court.
Together, these phrases highlight that true, effective, and God-honoring leadership isn't solely about human ability but about a direct impartation from God of both the principles for governance and the character to enact them.
The phrase 'king's son' might seem straightforward, but it carries a double meaning that deepens our understanding of God's plan.
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This psalm is often seen as a 'mixed psalm,' having an immediate application to King Solomon but pointing beyond him to a greater King.
A Royal Heirs'
David prays for the king and the 'king's son.' While this could refer to Solomon as the heir to David's throne, the commentators note the significance of 'king's son' as pointing to a future, ultimate King. It’s a title that speaks of lineage and divine appointment.
The Ultimate Fulfillment
While Solomon was an 'illustrious type' (a foreshadowing), his reign, and the reigns of his successors, ultimately fell short of the perfect description in this psalm. Many passages in Psalm 72, like its promise of perpetual and universal peace, only truly find their fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the Son of David, the King whose kingdom is righteous, universal, beneficent, and eternal. The prayer for the king and the king's son becomes a prayer for Christ, the true King, to reign with the very justice and righteousness of God.
Understand the original words
mishpat · Hebrew Noun
In a biblical context, justice refers to the standard of moral equity and right-doing established by God. It involves both the administration of law and the restoration of what is right in relationships and society.
tsedaqah · Hebrew Noun
Righteousness is the quality or character of being right or just, in conformity with God's nature and law. It encompasses both personal integrity and the act of doing what is morally upright before God and men.
ben-melek · Hebrew Noun Phrase
Refers to the king or ruler anointed by God to lead His people. Biblically, it often points toward the Messianic King, whose authority is derived from God to govern according to divine standards.
This psalm is a prayer and prophecy for King Solomon at the start of his reign. While it speaks directly to Solomon's earthly rule, the commentators overwhelmingly see it as pointing to the ultimate reign of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, whose perfect justice and righteousness far surpass any earthly king.
c. 970 BC— this verse
Solomon Anointed King
David, nearing the end of his life, has Solomon anointed king. This event marks a significant transition in leadership for Israel and serves as the immediate context for this psalm.
c. 970-965 BC
David's Charge to Solomon
Before his death, David gives Solomon instructions on how to rule wisely and justly, emphasizing his dependence on God for guidance.
c. 965 BC
Solomon's Dream at Gibeon
God appears to Solomon in a dream, offering him anything he desires. Solomon asks for wisdom to govern his people, a request that deeply pleases God.
c. 965 BC
Beginning of Solomon's Reign
Solomon begins his rule, known for its initial wisdom, justice, and a period of peace and prosperity for Israel. This reign serves as a significant earthly example of the ideal kingship described in the psalm.
c. 931 BC
Death of Solomon
Solomon dies after a long reign. While his reign began with great promise, his later years saw significant spiritual decline and eventual division of the kingdom.
This passage directly parallels Psalm 72:1, as it recounts God granting Solomon wisdom and knowledge in a dream in response to his prayer. It highlights the divine enablement needed for righteous rule.
Isaiah 11:1-5This prophecy describes the ideal ruler, the 'shoot from the stump of Jesse,' who will rule with justice and righteousness. This passage illuminates the qualities and actions expected of the 'king' and 'royal son' mentioned in the Psalm.
John 5:22-23Jesus states that the Father has given all judgment to the Son, so that all may honor the Son as they honor the Father. This directly connects to the prayer for God to give 'judgments' and 'righteousness' to the king, pointing to Christ as the ultimate fulfillment.
Matthew 2:1-12The visit of the Magi to worship the newborn Jesus, the 'King of the Jews,' shows a recognition of his royal status and the desire to offer him homage. This anticipates the universal worship described in Psalm 72.
poolePsalms 72:1: "A Psalm for Solomon. Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king's son."
THE ARGUMENT That this Psalm was made by David is evident from Psalm 72:20 , and that it was made with respect to Solomon is no less certain from the very title of it: and that David, or at least the Holy Ghost, which dictated this Psalm, did took beyond Solomon, and unto the Messiah, of whom Solomon was an illustrious and unquestionable type, seems as manifest from divers passages…
bensonPsalms 72:1: "A Psalm for Solomon. Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king's son."
Psalm 72:1 . Give the king — Namely, Solomon, who was now anointed king, although his father was yet living, 1 Kings 1:39 ; thy judgments — Either, 1st, Thy statutes and precepts, often called God’s judgments; as thou hast already given them to him in thy book, so give them to him in another and better way, by writing them upon his heart, or by giving him a perfect knowledge of the…
This isn't just a prayer for a king; it's a prayer that the king would receive God's very own "judgments" and "righteousness." This means the request is for the king to embody God's perfect standards and character in his rule, not just to follow human laws. It highlights that true justice and righteousness flow directly from God, and any earthly ruler needs Him to truly govern well.
This psalm, presented as a prayer or prophecy concerning Solomon's reign, opens with a plea for divine wisdom and justice for the king. David, as Solomon's father and predecessor, prays that his son will rule according to God's own principles and character, setting the stage for a description of an ideal, just, and enduring kingdom. The psalm then unfolds, detailing the blessings and characteristics of such a righteous rule, often seen as pointing beyond Solomon to the ultimate reign of the Messiah.
This psalm, presented as a prayer or prophecy concerning Solomon's reign, opens with a plea for divine wisdom and justice for the king. David, as Solomon's father and predecessor, prays that his son will rule according to God's own principles and character, setting the stage for a description of an ideal, just, and enduring kingdom. The psalm then unfolds, detailing the blessings and characteristics of such a righteous rule, often seen as pointing beyond Solomon to the ultimate reign of the Messiah.
"Give the king your justice, O God, and your righteousness to the royal son!" — This isn't just a prayer for a king; it's a prayer that the king would receive God's very own "judgments" and "righteousness." This means the request is for the king to embody God's perfect standar…
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Last reviewed October 2026