505_The glory of the coming King

Psalm 72 Give the king your justice, O God,
and your righteousness to the royal son!
2 May he judge your people with righteousness,
and your poor with justice!
3 Let the mountains bear prosperity for the people,
and the hills, in righteousness!
4 May he defend the cause of the poor of the people,
give deliverance to the children of the needy,
and crush the oppressor!

5 May they fear you while the sun endures,
and as long as the moon, throughout all generations!
6 May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass,
like showers that water the earth!
7 In his days may the righteous flourish,
and peace abound, till the moon be no more!

8 May he have dominion from sea to sea,
and from the River to the ends of the earth!
9 May desert tribes bow down before him,
and his enemies lick the dust!
10 May the kings of Tarshish and of the coastlands
render him tribute;
may the kings of Sheba and Seba
bring gifts!
11 May all kings fall down before him,
all nations serve him!

The coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953 was among the greatest events of the century. It was broadcast to millions across the world—an unprecedented moment in television history. London streets overflowed with people, banners waved in the wind, and the sound of trumpets filled the air. Dignitaries, royalty, and leaders from around the globe gathered in Westminster Abbey to watch as the young queen received her crown. Yet, for all its grandeur, she was still a mortal, a monarch who was nevertheless subject to death. It was but a faint shadow of a greater coronation still to come— when the King of kings will take his power and reign, not over a single nation, but over all the earth.

Psalm 72 describes that momentous time, with prophetic vision. Introduced as David’s psalm “Of Solomon,” it quickly becomes clear that its vision is too vast, too perfect, too enduring to be fulfilled by Solomon alone. Solomon’s reign began with promise and was marked by matchless wisdom, enduring peace, and dazzling prosperity. Yet he, like every human ruler, was flawed and finite. This psalm stretches beyond him to the only King who embodies the righteousness and justice that are the very foundation of God’s throne, as Psalm 89:14 declares.

This great psalm begins: “Give the king your justice, O God, and your righteousness to the royal son! May he judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice.” Solomon’s prayer closely resembled this, when God asked him, in a dream, what he desired most. At that time, he begged for neither wealth nor long life, but for wisdom to judge God’s people in righteousness. God was pleased with his prayer. For righteousness and justice are not merely admirable traits in the leader of the people. Rather, they are the reason he rules as a representative of God’s kingdom.

Solomon ruled with justice and mercy. He foreshadowed the coming King who would defend the cause of the poor, deliver the needy, and crush the oppressor. He would be impartial, and immune to mere appearances or hearsay. The prophet Isaiah spoke of Him in words that shimmer with hope: “With righteousness He shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; He shall strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips He shall kill the wicked.” (Isaiah 11:4). This is no ordinary ruler—this is the Messiah, the Son of God. He is clothed with wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, and the fear of the Lord.

The psalm moves to the scope of His reign: “May He have dominion from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth!” No kingdom in history – not even the empires of Babylon, Persia, Rome, or Britain – has matched such boundaries. But this King’s dominion will be absolute and everlasting. Rulers will bow before Him; nations will serve Him. His reign will stretch across continents, cultures, and centuries. “All kingdoms brought presents and served Solomon.” … “All the earth sought to Solomon, to hear his wisdom, … and they brought every man his present”, so much more will all the earth seek the greater Son of David.

And why did all the earth seek Solomon? Because he used his great wisdom to achieve justice for the poor and protection for the weak. The Son of God, Jesus Christ, uses all his peerless authority with a heart that is tender toward the vulnerable. “He delivers the needy when he calls, the poor and him who has no helper. He has pity on the weak and the needy, and saves the lives of the needy. From oppression and violence He redeems their life, and precious is their blood in His sight.” Here is divine kingship—unmatched power paired with unparalleled compassion. He is the defender of the defenseless, the rescuer of the forgotten, the Father to the fatherless, and the protector of widows.

Where the Lord sees righteousness and justice, where his fear abounds, blessings flow. So it is under this King’s rule—abundant provision, flourishing communities, and peace without end. And therefore the psalmist prays: “May His name endure forever, His fame continue as long as the sun! May people be blessed in Him, all nations call Him blessed!” The reign of the Son of God will be forever. His fame will not fade with time; His blessing will not be limited to a region or a people group. In him all nations will be blessed.

The psalm ends in a burst of admiration for the marvelous works of the living God: “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things. Blessed be His glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with His glory! Amen and Amen!” For the glory of the coming King will fill the whole earth.

The New Testament and the final pages of Scripture bring this hope into the sharp lines of certainty. Christ Jesus, the greater Son of David, will return, no more as the suffering servant, but in splendor. He will ride on the clouds, crowned with many crowns. Malachi foresaw that day: “For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven… But for you who fear My name, the Sun of Righteousness shall rise with healing in His wings.” (Malachi 4:1-2). For the rebellious, it will be a day of stern reckoning; for the faithful, a day of joy and restoration.

Habakkuk adds one more layer: “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.” (Habakkuk 2:14). There is no dark corner where his light does not reach, no valleys forgotten by his mercy, no nation ignorant of his glory. Every tongue will confess that he is Lord, every knee shall bow before His Majesty.

Yet Psalm 72 is not just a prophecy to marvel at; it is a calling to obey the commandments of the reigning King. His throne is founded on righteousness and justice; therefore, those who belong to Him walk in righteousness and justice in their own spheres. He is the defender of the needy – often through his people. His reign brings blessing, and therefore we are called to walk as heirs of blessing, always ready to pass it on.

Waiting for his kingdom is not a passive act but an active anticipation. Longing for his reign to be revealed, we live in obedience and reverence for the true King, reflecting his kingdom until he comes. Every act of compassion, every stand for truth, every sacrifice made for the sake of the gospel heralds His return. We feed the hungry, mirroring our merciful King. We speak truth, not to win a debate but because he is the truth. We forgive, not because it is easy, but because mercy is the language of His kingdom.

One day, the trumpets will sound for the Lord of lords returning to reign. The heavens will split, the nations will see the glory of the coming King. No longer will it be a promise—reality will be manifested at last. And in that day, those who have lived under His reign by faith will enter into it by sight, sharing in His joy.

Until then, let our lives echo the prayer of Psalm 72. As Joseph Benson comments, “With this let our prayers, like the prayers of David the son of Jesse, be ended: and with our last breath let us say, Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly!” Blessed be His glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with His glory! Amen and Amen!