The Perfect King (Psalm 72)

The NT nowhere quotes this as Messianic, but this picture of the king and his realm is so close to the prophesies of Isaiah 11:1-5 and Isaiah 60-62 that if those passages are Messianic, so is this.

1. Royal righteousness (Ps 72:1-4). Imitating God: the world and its people set to rights.
2. Endless reign (Ps 72:5-7). Endless abundance under the king.
3. Boundless realm (Ps 72:8-11). World dominion.
4. Compassionate king (Ps 72:12-14). The caring rule.
5. Endless blessing (Ps 72:15-17). The nations respond in devotion (Ps 72:15). Shared abundance under the king (Ps 72:16-17).
6. Doxology and conclusion (Ps 72:18-19). Reflecting God: the earth filled with his glory.

The portrait of the messianic king in the Psalms...awaiting fulfilment in Jesus:

• against world opposition (Ps 2:1-3; 110:1)
• he is victorious (Ps 45:3-5; 89:22ff)
• through the Lord (Ps 18:46)
• he establishes world rule (Ps 2:9-12; 45:17; 72:8-11; 89:25),
• based on Zion (Ps 2:6),
• marked by moral integrity (Ps 45:4, 6; 72:2-4, 7).

Hi rule is

• everlasting (Ps 21:4; 72:5),
• prosperous (Ps 72:7, 16),
• loyal to the Lord (Ps 72:18-19),
• preeminent in dignity (Ps 45:2-7),
• friend of the poor and enemy of the oppressor (Ps 72:2, 4, 12-14).

• The righteous flourish (Ps 72:7).
• He is remembered forever (Ps 45:17):
• his name is everlasting (Ps 72:17);
• he is the object of unending thanks (Ps 72:15) and everlasting blessing (Ps 45:2).
• He is heir to David's covenant (Ps 89:28-37; 132:11) and Melchizedeck's priesthood (Ps 110:4).
• He belongs to the Lord (Ps 89:18) and is devoted to him (Ps 21:7; 63:1-8, 11).
• He is his son (Ps 2:7),
• seated at his right hand (Ps 11):1), and is himself God (Ps 45:6).