Bible Strands
Psalms 72:1
Of Solomon. Endow the king with Your justice, O God, and the son of the king with Your righteousness.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Attributed to Solomon, this verse functions as a petition addressed to God concerning the reigning monarch and his successor. It frames royal authority as a vessel for divine moral governance rather than a hereditary privilege.
The words — תֵּן (Ten) translates literally as "give," while מִשְׁפְּטֶיךָ (Mish.pa.tei./kha) means "your judgments." These terms establish the king’s authority as a direct grant from God rather than an autonomous right.
The thread — The expectation of divinely sourced leadership justice appears in 2 Chronicles 1:10, where Solomon petitions for wisdom to govern. Jeremiah 23:5 projects this pattern onto a future Davidic ruler, and 1 Chronicles 22:12 reiterates the prayer that God grant insight to the one placed in command.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition that legitimate rule requires external moral endowment, not merely political power. It requires the reader to evaluate leadership by its capacity to administer covenant justice rather than by its institutional position.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
A Psalm for Solomon. Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king’s son.
Cross-references
- 2 Chronicles 1:10 Now grant me wisdom and knowledge, so that I may lead this people. For who is able to govern this great people of Yours?”
- Jeremiah 23:5 Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and He will reign wisely as King and will administer justice and righteousness in the land.
- 1 Chronicles 22:12 Above all, may the LORD give you insight and understanding when He puts you in command over Israel, so that you may keep the Law of the LORD your God.
- 1 Chronicles 29:19 And give my son Solomon a whole heart to keep and carry out all Your commandments, decrees, and statutes, and to build Your palace for which I have made provision.”
- 1 Kings 1:39 Zadok the priest took the horn of oil from the tabernacle and anointed Solomon. Then they blew the ram’s horn, and all the people proclaimed, “Long live King Solomon!”
- Psalms 127:1 A song of ascents. Of Solomon. Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain; unless the LORD protects the city, its watchmen stand guard in vain.
- Isaiah 11:2 The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and strength, the Spirit of knowledge and fear of the LORD.
- John 3:34 For the One whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit.
- Hebrews 1:8 But about the Son He says: “Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever, and justice is the scepter of Your kingdom.