Bible Strands
Psalms 72:10
May the kings of Tarshish and distant shores bring tribute; may the kings of Sheba and Seba offer gifts.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The psalmist addresses God in prayer for a coming righteous king, requesting that foreign rulers acknowledge his authority. This petition occupies the center of a chapter moving from royal justice to universal submission.
The words — מִנְחָה (min·ḥāh) literally means tribute or gift payment, and יָשִׁׁ֑יבוּ (yā·šî·ḇū) means they will return or pay. These terms depict the kings' homage as a formal economic settlement rather than a voluntary offering.
The thread — The image of distant rulers delivering tribute to Jerusalem recurs in Psalm 68:29 and Isaiah 60:6, where caravans from Sheba bring gold. These passages extend the vision of geopolitical powers acknowledging the Lord’s sovereign rule.
Why it lands — The text requires readers to accept that earthly power ultimately submits to divine kingship. It demands a posture of expectation that the promised ruler’s reign will reverse worldly dominance.
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
The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.
Cross-references
- Psalms 68:29 Because of Your temple at Jerusalem kings will bring You gifts.
- Isaiah 60:6 Caravans of camels will cover your land, young camels of Midian and Ephah, and all from Sheba will come, bearing gold and frankincense and proclaiming the praises of the LORD.
- Isaiah 49:7 Thus says the LORD, the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel, to Him who was despised and abhorred by the nation, to the Servant of rulers: “Kings will see You and rise, and princes will bow down, because of the LORD, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen You.”
- 1 Kings 10:1 Now when the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to test him with difficult questions.
- Psalms 45:12 The Daughter of Tyre will come with a gift; men of wealth will seek your favor.
- 2 Chronicles 9:21 For the king had the ships of Tarshish that went with Hiram’s servants, and once every three years the ships of Tarshish would arrive bearing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks.
- Isaiah 60:9 Surely the islands will wait for Me, with the ships of Tarshish in the lead, to bring your children from afar, with their silver and gold, to the honor of the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, for He has glorified you.
- Genesis 10:7 The sons of Cush: Seba, Havilah, Sabtah, Raamah, and Sabteca. And the sons of Raamah: Sheba and Dedan.
- 1 Kings 10:10 Then she gave the king 120 talents of gold, a great quantity of spices, and precious stones. Never again were spices in such abundance brought in as those the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.
- 1 Kings 10:25 Year after year, each visitor would bring his tribute: articles of silver and gold, clothing, weapons, spices, horses, and mules.