Psalm 72

“His name shall endure forever; His name shall continue as long as the sun. And men shall be blessed in Him; all nations shall call Him blessed. Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, Who only does wondrous things! And blessed be His glorious name forever! And let the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen and Amen. The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended.”  Psalm 72:17-20 (NKJV)

Psalm 72 ends somewhat with an esoteric statement: “The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended.”  It begs us to inquire as to the prayers of David.  Of course, throughout the psalms, David offered up many prayers.  The prayers that Solomon is referring to in psalm 72 concern David’s son, or rather, his “Son.”  

“Lord All-Powerful, the God of Israel, You have said to me, ‘I will make your family great.’ So I, your servant, am brave enough to pray to you. Lord God, you are God, and your words are true. And you have promised these good things to me, your servant. Please, bless my family. Let it continue before you always. Lord God, you have said so. With your blessing let my family always be blessed.” 2 Samuel 7:27-29 (NCV)

Solomon is making it abundantly clear that David’s prayer is only answered in Messiah and not in Solomon or any other fleshly heir.  Solomon was wise but not that wise.  Solomon’s kingdom had glory, but it could not shine to the extent that there was no need for sun and moon.  Nor would it have the degree of influence that all the nations would worship God because of it.

“But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light. And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it. Its gates shall not be shut at all by day (there shall be no night there).  And they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it.” Revelation 21:22-26 (NKJV)

Not only does Messiah Jesus (the “Son of David”) command the respect of the earth’s kings, but He also rescues and cares for those disregarded by society.

“He will help the poor when they cry out and will save the needy when no one else will help. He will be kind to the weak and poor, and he will save their lives. He will save them from cruel people who try to hurt them, because their lives are precious to him.” Psalm 72:12-14 (NCV)

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” Matthew 5:3-9 (NKJV)