 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
More Psalms commentaries
Psalms 72:12-20
God helps those who help others
© Family Times | About Us | Donate | Contact Us
Search for sermons by: Commentaries | Scripture search | Topics
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Psalms 72:12-20
God helps those who help others
© Family Times | About Us | Donate | Contact Us
Search for sermons by: Commentaries | Scripture search | Topics
God helps those who help others
Psalms 72:12–20
» View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway)
I once heard the story of a preacher at a small church in Northwest Indiana. Sometimes he would take his two small sons to the Thursday morning Bible study. George, an elderly gentleman, would split his donut with the littlest brother. One Sunday the little boy came to chur … More
Solomon reigned in what has been referred to as Israel’s golden age. He built the magnificent temple, and even the pots and pans in the kitchen were made of gold. However he had pity on the poor and the weak and helped everyone who was poor and needy (vv. 12-13). He cared for them when they hurt and he saved them from cruel and violent deaths (v. 14). Because of Solomon’s prosperous reign and generosity people responded with gifts for him. An example of this is the amount of gold brought to Solomon by the Queen of Sheba. The blessings of the king’s rule was reciprocal. As He blessed those who he came in contact with, they spoke well of Him (vv. 15-17). Not only did the people praise the king but they said “Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel” (v. 18), and “Blessed be His glorious name forever” (v. 19). It is stated that this is the end of the prayers of David (v. 20). However, this probably refers to an earlier collection of psalms, because 18 other psalms after this one are attributed to David.
A worldly proverb says that God helps those who help themselves. The clear teaching of scripture is that God helps those who cannot help themselves and those who help others (vv. 12-13). Because of the righteous reign of the king people responded with gifts for him which included a massive amount of Gold brought by the queen of Sheba (I Kings 10:10). The people prayed for agricultural prosperity with grain and fruit in abundance. Also Lebanon, with its cedar forests, was a picture of a flourishing land as well as trade and peaceful alliances.
Application
As I examine Christ’s view of the needy I need to examine my attitude toward them. Am I ignoring them or seeing how I can meet needs? This includes the spiritual as well as the physical and material needs.
Psalms 72:12-20 (English Standard Version)
For 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. Long may he live; may gold of Sheba be given to him! May prayer be made for him continually, and blessings invoked for him all the day! May there be abundance of grain in the land; on the tops of the mountains may it wave; may its fruit be like Lebanon; and may people blossom in the cities like the grass of the field! May his name endure forever, his fame continue as long as the sun! May people be blessed in him, all nations call him blessed! 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! The prayers of David, the son of Jesse, are ended.
View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway) »
Post your comment or question below.