Psalms 72:11

May all kings bow down to him and all nations serve him.

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — The psalmist concludes a royal prayer by projecting a future reality where every earthly ruler acknowledges the coming king’s sovereign authority. The words — The Hebrew יִשְׁתַּחֲווּ (yishtachavu) literally means "they may bow down," paired with יַעַבְדוּ (ya'avdu) meaning "they will serve," emphasizing physical prostration and political allegiance. The thread — This motif of universal submission appears in Psalm 86:9 where nations bow before the Lord, Isaiah 49:22 where God raises a banner to gather the peoples, and Revelation 11:15 where the kingdoms of the world become the Lord’s kingdom. Why it lands — The text demands the reader acknowledge that true authority belongs to the divinely appointed ruler and requires active submission rather than passive observation.

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

וְיִשְׁתַּחֲווּ־ve./yish.ta.cha.vu-and/ they may bow downל֥וֹl/oto/ himכָל־khol-all מְלָכִ֑יםme.la.Khimkings כָּל־kol-all גּוֹיִ֥םgo.Yimnations יַֽעַבְדֽוּהוּ׃Ya.'av.Du./huthey will serve/ him

King James Version

Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him.

Cross-references

Psalms 86:9 All the nations You have made will come and bow before You, O Lord, and they will glorify Your name.
Isaiah 49:22 This is what the Lord GOD says: “Behold, I will lift up My hand to the nations, and raise My banner to the peoples. They will bring your sons in their arms and carry your daughters on their shoulders.
Revelation 11:15 Then the seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and loud voices called out in heaven: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He will reign forever and ever.”
Revelation 17:14 They will make war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will triumph over them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and He will be accompanied by His called and chosen and faithful ones.”
Psalms 138:4 All the kings of the earth will give You thanks, O LORD, when they hear the words of Your mouth.
Isaiah 54:5 For your husband is your Maker—the LORD of Hosts is His name—the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; He is called the God of all the earth.
Revelation 20:1 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven with the key to the Abyss, holding in his hand a great chain.
Revelation 21:24 By its light the nations will walk, and into it the kings of the earth will bring their glory.
Revelation 21:26 And into the city will be brought the glory and honor of the nations.
Psalms 2:10 Therefore be wise, O kings; be admonished, O judges of the earth.