Psalm 72

What a marvelous hymn we have before us, presenting the glories of our Lord and King, the Messiah, the Son of David, the One greater than Solomon.

How are we to understand this Song which is on the one hand said to be A Psalm of Solomon and yet the end of the prayers of David (v20).  It seems quite clear that these were the words of David late in life when he was unable to pen them himself.  Thus Solomon, who wrote many Psalms, was the writer but the words were David’s.  While this is the final prayer of David’s life there are several more Psalms of David recorded in this Biblical Hymnbook.

Is this Psalm Messianic?  Without question!  The opening verse indicates David’s concern for his son Solomon.  But the prayer clearly goes beyond him to David’s greater Son, the One who was greater than Solomon (Luke 11:31).  You can see this yourself as you read through it.  The testimony of the Jewish Rabbis is in agreement that this speaks of Messiah.  We would be surprised if David’s closing prayer did not recognize the promise of God that your throne shall be established forever (2 Sam. 7:16).  That promise is the backdrop for David’s prayer as he prays the will of God.

Consider the glories of Messiah’s kingdom in all its dimensions.

·        72:1: introduction.  A prayer for the king and the king’s Son.

·        72:2-4: His righteous reign.  The nature of His reign is righteousness and peace (Isa. 9:6-7; Isaiah’s prophecy is a thumbnail version of this Psalm).

·        72:5-7: His eternal reign (length).

·        72:8-11: His universal reign (breadth). 

·        72:12-14: His compassionate reign (depth).

·        72:15-17: His blest reign (height).

·        72:18-19: Benediction.  A great passage to commit to memory and to use when we pray Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done.

·        72:20: Conclusion.

In a recent conversation a friend noted she had experienced the loss of several acquaintances to death.  It was a reminder that this matter of life and death goes on relentlessly.  Let us make the hand off, so to speak, as David has done here.  David, the son of Jesse (who has died) is praying for his son just before his own death.  Let us pray for and seek God’s blessing on our heirs.  But let us put our hope in the eternal kingdom of God.  Let us pray for God's rule in their own lives.  In so doing we will remind those close to us that they too are not the eternal ones.  Their good and only hope is to be in sync with the King of kings and Lord of lords (Rev. 19:16) who shall reign forever and ever (Rev. 11:15).

What will be the sign of Jesus’ coming?

Read 1 Tim. 4:1-5; 2 Tim. 3:1-5; Acts 20:29-31

Jesus criticized the Jewish religious leaders of His day for failing to discern the signs of the times (Matt. 16:1-4).  They failed to see the clear indications that Jesus was the Messiah and should be accepted as such.  In Matt. 24-25 Jesus, in answer to the specific question of His disciples, gave signs of His second coming (24:3).  We would be foolish to repeat the error of Israel and fail to discern the signs of the times.  Jesus was gracious to give us a leg up in preparation for the difficult days before His coming.  Let us not ignore His help.

Let us take the next few Saturdays and consider these signs, beginning with those signs involving the religious bent of the world in the latter days.

1)    Signs of Christ’s return in the realm of religion.

a)     Apostasy (Matt. 24:10-12; 2 Thess 2:3).  The visible church will be apostate or falling away.  The term in 2 Thess. 2:3 is the Greek apostasia, referring to a defection or falling away.  Paul says the day of Christ will not come until this apostasy has occurred.  Other passages indicate the nature and reason for people’s defection from the truth.

i)       Lukewarmness, Rev. 3:14-22, 2 Tim 3:4b-5.  It will be a form of Christianity lacking power.  Perhaps it will involve the self-sufficiency of the Laodicean church, a Church at ease but despised by Christ.

ii)    Scoffers, 2Peter 3:3-10.  From within the Church there will be those who deny the literal return of Christ or who, at least, have no sense of the immanency (return at any moment) of His return.

iii)  Great seduction in error, 2 Th. 2:9-12; 1 Tim. 4:1.  Sound doctrine will be so twisted as to result even in teachings that deny the Lord Jesus Christ (Jude 4).  This will be the work of Satan leading to doctrines of demons.  That which is a cult will be seen as orthodox.

iv)  False christs & prophets (cults), Mt.24:4f,11f,23-26.  The twisted truth will include the rise of powerful individuals who attract great numbers of followers with the ultimate one being the Anti-Christ (Rev. 13:8).

v)    Counterfeit signs/wonders/miracles, 2Th.2:9-12.  The deception will be powerful because it will be accompanied by miracles that will remind people of Christ Himself.

vi)  Materialistic view of holiness, 1Tim.4:1-3.  The prevailing doctrine will be wealth-oriented.  Wealth will be seen as a sign of godliness.

vii)           Religion according to what people want, 2Tim.4:3-5.  The message of the preachers/prophets will be focus-group driven, giving people what tickles their ears.

viii)         World-wide/ecumenical movement, Rv. 13:11-17; 17.  This form of Christianity will become world-wide with those refusing to join suffering persecution.

There is more to be said on this in days to come.  For now let us take seriously the countless calls of the New Testament to be vigilant in looking out for deception.  Therefore watch!