Read Psalm 72:8–15
Questions from the Scripture text: What does Psalm 72:8 describe as the boundaries of the Forever-King’s kingdom? Even which people will fall to their knees before Him (Psalm 72:9a)? How completely will His enemies be defeated (verse 9b)? Who are pictured as among His loyal subjects (Psalm 72:10)? How many kings (Psalm 72:11a)? How many nations (verse 11b)? What was the prior condition of these kings and nations (Psalm 72:12)? What did the King do for them (Psalm 72:12-14)? And specifically for their souls (Psalm 72:13-14a)? Why (verse 14b)? What does this King do (Psalm 72:15a)? What belongs to Him (verse 15b)? What else (verse 15c)? And what else (verse 15d)?
What is the extent of the Forever-King’s kingdom, power, and glory? Psalm 72:8–15 looks forward to the opening portion of morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these eight verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that as Christ’s kingdom is universal, His power is absolute, and His glory infinite.
The extent of Christ’s kingdom is universal. He is king wherever there is sea, or land (Psalm 72:8). And His subjects are from the far northwest (Tarshish, Psalm 72:10a) to the south and southeast (Sheba and Seba, verse 10c). All kings fall before Him (Psalm 72:11a), either as defeated enemies or loving, adoring servants. All nations serve Him (verse 11b). Philippians 2:10 affirms that Christ is the King to Whom the knees of Psalm 72 bow.
The extent of Christ’s power is absolute. There is no enemy so great that he will not be brought to his knees (Psalm 72:9a) and lick the dust (verse 9b). Indeed this is the curse pronounced upon the dragon, that ancient serpent, the Devil and Satan, the greatest enemy (cf. Genesis 3:14, Revelation 12:7–9).
But there is a more gloriously displayed power than that in which the King destroys enemies prepared for destruction (cf. Romans 9:22). For He endures them with much patience that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory, us whom He called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles (cf. Romans 9:23–24).
These are those kings who discover themselves to be needy and poor (Psalm 72:11, with Psalm 72:12-13). 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 those lowly ones shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those needy who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. (cf. Matthew 5:3–6).
Truly, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven (cf. Matthew 19:23–24), but such is the power of Christ the King that He gives the impossible (cf. Matthew 19:25–26): humility, gratitude, and adoration from kings! Sin entered into the world, and death through sin, but the great King redeemed the lives of sinners from death (v14a). Christ executeth the office of a king, in subduing us to himself, in ruling and defending us, and in restraining and conquering all his and our enemies (WSC 26).
The extent of Christ’s glory is infinite. How great is His glory? He is the One of Whom it is said that “He lives” (Psalm 72:15a, cf. Hebrews 7:8). He is the Creator, in Whom is life, and rom Whom all life comes (cf. John 1:3–4). He is the “I Am” (cf. Exodus 3:14)—the One Who has being in Himself, and upon Whom all beings depend. Yes, He is the Son of David according to the flesh, but when He took up His life again by His own authority (cf. John 10:17–18), He was declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead (cf. Romans 1:4)! He lives!
Ultimately, all will recognize that all belongs to Him and bring it as tribute (Psalm 72:15b).
He is the One Who is worthy. Every right prayer, given in His Name, asked according to His will, aims at His glory. Every proper request is a supplication that Christ the King would receive that which He deserves, His due of which He is worthy. What an honor the redeemed sinner has that we pray through Christ, and in this sense pray for Christ to receive what He has won in His life, death, and resurrection!
Daily, He shall be praised. That praise which we are to offer morning, and evening, and all day long, are praises unto Christ! His is the glory of all life. His is the glory of all gifts. His is the glory of all prayer. His is the glory of all praise! O, the joy and glory, of being subjects of the great King in His kingdom!
Who is the Forever-King? How big is His kingdom? How powerful is He? How glorious is He?
Sample prayer: Lord, we praise You, our great and high King! Thank You for subduing us to Yourself, for loving us and counting our blood as precious in Your sight! Receive from us all our praise, all that we have, indeed our very selves. You have life in Yourself, and You alone are our life! You are worthy of all for which we properly pray! All praise belongs to You! Receive it now, even as You help us to offer it, by Your own almighty Spirit, we ask for Your sake and in Your Name, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP72B “Nomads Will Bow” or TPH270 “At the Name of Jesus”
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