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Psalm 72:1
By Solomon. God, give the king your justice; your righteousness to the royal son.
Notice
The king’s need for God’s justice exposes the limits of rank: even royal power depends on righteousness that comes from God.
Questions to write on. Each one opens a new entry with this verse already attached.
What do you notice about the word “your” before justice and righteousness?
Write on thisWhich decision facing a leader you know needs the justice this prayer asks God to give?
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Where else Scripture says this
11 passages readers most often link with this verse, and the thread each one shares with it.
This verse's connections, by chapterThe Bible's strongest chapter linksHover or tap a book to trace it
Jeremiah 23:5–6“Behold, the days come,” says the LORD, “that I will raise to David a righteous Branch; and he will reign as king and deal wisely, and will execute justice and …Justice and righteousness mark the king’s rule in both passages: the psalm asks God for them, and Jeremiah promises a king who practices them.
2 Chronicles 1:10Now give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people; for who can judge this great people of yours?”Both prayers ask God to give what ruling his people requires: justice and righteousness in the psalm, wisdom and knowledge in Chronicles.
1 Chronicles 22:12–13May the LORD give you discretion and understanding, and put you in charge of Israel, so that you may keep the law of the LORD your God.Both passages ask God to equip a ruler, linking authority over his people with qualities that come from him.
1 Chronicles 29:19and give to Solomon my son a perfect heart, to keep your commandments, your testimonies, and your statutes, and to do all these things, and to build the …Solomon is named in both texts, which ask God for righteousness in royal rule and a heart that keeps his commands.
1 Kings 1:39–2:4Zadok the priest took the horn of oil from the Tent, and anointed Solomon. They blew the trumpet; and all the people said, “Long live King Solomon!”Solomon, named in the psalm’s heading, is anointed king in Kings, giving a concrete royal setting to the prayer for justice.
Isaiah 11:2The LORD’s Spirit will rest on him: the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the …Both passages locate needed qualities in God’s provision: justice and righteousness in the psalm, wisdom and understanding through the LORD’s Spirit in Isaiah.
Psalm 127:1A Song of Ascents. By Solomon. Unless the LORD builds the house, they who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman guards it …Both psalms bear Solomon’s name and describe human work or authority as dependent on what God supplies.
1 Timothy 2:2for kings and all who are in high places, that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and reverence.Both passages concern kings, with righteousness sought in Psalm 72 and a quiet life in godliness sought in Timothy.
John 3:34For he whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for God gives the Spirit without measure.The shared thread is God giving: justice and righteousness are requested in the psalm, while John speaks of God giving the Spirit.
Hebrews 1:8–9But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. The scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your Kingdom.Righteousness belongs with kingship in both texts: the psalm asks for it, and Hebrews describes the Son’s royal scepter as upright.
2 Kings 2:9When they had gone over, Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask what I shall do for you, before I am taken from you.” Elisha said, “Please let a double portion of your …The overlap is a request to receive: the psalm asks God for righteousness, while Elisha asks Elijah for a double portion of his spirit.
Where this verse fits
Leadership weight. injustice and anger. wanting a steady prayer habit.
One step
Something small to carry out of this verse
Encouragement
A ruler’s title does not supply the righteousness this prayer seeks. Justice belongs to God, and even the king needs what God alone can give.
Now put it in your words.
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Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).