The prayers of David, the son of Jesse, are ended.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse isn't just a concluding remark, but a profound statement about the culmination of David's life's work—his prayers were not just requests, but a completed body of expression that anticipated the ultimate fulfillment found in the Messiah's reign. It marks the end of his particular poetic petitions, pointing forward to the perfect and final fulfillment of God's promises that transcends even the greatest human efforts.
The prayers of David, the son of Jesse, are ended.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This final verse concludes Psalm 72, a royal psalm often associated with Solomon's reign and pointing towards the ultimate reign of the Messiah. It follows a grand vision of a prosperous, righteous kingdom and expressions of praise to God for His faithfulness. This concluding statement is understood by many as a definitive marker, indicating this is the last of David's inspired psalms or prayers, written as he neared the end of his life.
This verse feels like a final sign-off, a concluding thought after a powerful psalm. But what does 'ended' really mean here?
This verse, "The prayers of David, the son of Jesse, are ended," is widely understood not necessarily as the absolute last words David ever spoke or prayed, but as the conclusion of a specific collection or a significant phase of his poetic and prayerful expressions within the Psalms. It functions as a literary marker, signaling the close of a section of David's contributions.
Think of it like the final chapter of a beloved author's book series. While the author might write other things, this marks the end of a particular narrative arc they crafted. Here, it suggests that Psalm 72 is the culmination of David's work in this part of the Psalter, potentially compiled or arranged by Solomon or later editors.
This psalm, and its conclusion, points far beyond David himself. What future hope does it hold?
While this verse marks the end of David's prayers, the psalm itself is rich with Messianic prophecy. The descriptions of a just and everlasting kingdom, global blessings, and enduring peace point directly to Jesus Christ.
So, 'the prayers of David are ended' signifies the close of an era of anticipation. David prayed and prophesied about the coming King, and this psalm encapsulates much of that hope. With Christ's arrival and ongoing reign, many of those prayers find their ultimate fulfillment. It's like a runner passing the baton – David finishes his race of prayer and hope, and Christ takes it, bringing about the reality those prayers longed for.
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This concluding verse likely signifies the end of David's personal poetic prayers within the collection of Psalms, marking a transition as the Psalter's compilation continued after his lifetime.
c. 1000 BC— this verse
David's Later Years and Solomon's Ascendancy
David, nearing the end of his long reign, is elderly and infirm. He has appointed his son Solomon as his successor, ensuring a peaceful transition of the kingdom.
c. 1000 BC
David's Final Compositions
In his twilight years, David composes his final prayers and reflections, likely including Psalm 72, which he may have dedicated to Solomon.
c. 1000 BC
Completion of the Second Book of Psalms
Psalm 72, possibly David's last poetic prayer, is placed at the end of the second collection of Psalms. This verse acts as a concluding marker for David's contributions.
Post-Davidic Era
Psalms Collection and Redaction
Later editors or compilers of the Psalter organize the existing psalms, potentially adding concluding remarks like verse 20 to mark the end of specific sections or authors.
This passage is also understood as a final declaration from David, describing himself as 'the man raised high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, the sweet psalmist of Israel' and speaking his final words, which resonates with Psalm 72 being seen as David's final poetic prayer.
1 Chronicles 29:10-13This passage contains David's final public prayer recorded in Scripture before his death, echoing the sentiment of closure and deep devotion found at the end of Psalm 72.
Luke 1:68-75This passage records the prophetic prayer of Zechariah, father of John the Baptist. Like David's final prayer, it looks forward to the fulfillment of God's promises of salvation and the establishment of a righteous kingdom, highlighting a continuous thread of prayer throughout biblical history.
Romans 11:33-36This passage concludes a profound theological reflection on God's wisdom and sovereignty, similar to how Psalm 72 concludes with praise and the affirmation of God's glorious name filling the earth, showcasing a pattern of doxology at the end of significant biblical discourse.
clarkePsalms 72:20: "The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended."
The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended - This was most probably the last Psalm he ever wrote. There may be several in the after part of this book which were written by him; but they were probably composed in a former period of his life, for this was the end of the poetic prayers of David the son of Jesse. Those that were found afterwards have got out of their proper connection.
poolePsalms 72:20: "The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended."
This Psalm is called the last of David’s Psalms; (which are called prayers, because they consist very much of prayers;) either, 1. The last of that part or book of the Psalms, which reached from the beginning of the Psalms hitherto, whereof the far greatest number were composed by David, and all of them digested into this order; the rest of which follow, being collected by some other holy man or men of God after David’s death, and…
This verse isn't just a concluding remark, but a profound statement about the culmination of David's life's work—his prayers were not just requests, but a completed body of expression that anticipated the ultimate fulfillment found in the Messiah's reign. It marks the end of his particular poetic petitions, pointing forward to the perfect and final fulfillment of God's promises that transcends even the greatest human efforts.
This final verse concludes Psalm 72, a royal psalm often associated with Solomon's reign and pointing towards the ultimate reign of the Messiah. It follows a grand vision of a prosperous, righteous kingdom and expressions of praise to God for His faithfulness. This concluding statement is understood by many as a definitive marker, indicating this is the last of David's inspired psalms or prayers, written as he neared the end of his life.
This final verse concludes Psalm 72, a royal psalm often associated with Solomon's reign and pointing towards the ultimate reign of the Messiah. It follows a grand vision of a prosperous, righteous kingdom and expressions of praise to God for His faithfulness. This concluding statement is understood by many as a definitive marker, indicating this is the last of David's inspired psalms or prayers, written as he neared the end of his life.
"The prayers of David, the son of Jesse, are ended." — This verse isn't just a concluding remark, but a profound statement about the culmination of David's life's work—his prayers were not just requests, but a completed body of expression that anticipate…
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Last reviewed October 2026