The Perfect King (Psalm 72)

"Endow the king with your justice, O God, the royal son with your righteousness" (Ps 72:1).

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).
1. The nations respond in devotion (Ps 72:15). 
2. 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 110:1), and is himself God (Ps 45:6).

References:

1. Tremper Longman III & David E Garland. Psalms. The Expositor's Bible Commentary. 2008. Psalm 72: The Glory of the Davidic Kingdom.
• A. Prayer for Davidic kingship (Ps 72:1).
• B. Hope for Righteousness and Justice (Ps 72:2-4).
• C. Prayer for Longivity and Universal Rule (Ps 72:5-11).
• B'. Hope for Righteousness and Justice (Ps 72:12-14).
• C'. Prayer for Longivity and Universality (Ps 72:15-17).
• A'. Praise of God's Kingship (Ps 72:18-20).
2. Tim Keller. The Songs of Jesus. 2015. Psalm 72:
1. Good government (1-7).
2. Heaving the nations (8-14).
3. The true king (15-20).
3. Gerald Wilson. Psalms Vol 1. The NIV Application Commentary. 2002.
4. John Goldingay. Psalms for Everyone, Part 1. 2013
5. Derek Kidner. Psalms 1-72, 1973. Psalms 73-150, 1975. Psalm 72: The Perfect King.
1. Royal righteousness (Ps 72:1-4).
2. Endless reign (Ps 72:5-7).
3. Boundless realm (Ps 72:8-11).
4. Compassionate king (Ps 72:12-14).
5. Endless blessing (Ps 72:15-17).
6. Doxology and Conclusion (Ps 72:18-20).
6. Alec Motyer. Psalms by the Day. A New Devotional Translation. 2016. Psalm 72: A King Larger than Life.
   
• A1. Imitating God: the world and its people set to rights (Ps 72:1-4).
• B1. Endless abundance under the king (Ps 72:5-7).
• C1. The nations: world dominion (Ps 72:8-11).
• C2. The nations: the magnetic, caring rule (Ps 72:12-14).
• C3. The nations: responding in devotion (Ps 72:15).
• B2. Shared abundance under the king (Ps 72:16-17).
• A2. Reflecting God: the Earth filled with his glory (Ps 72:18-20).
7. Robert Altar. The Hebrew Bible. A Translation with Commentary. 2019.

Affliction, Adversity, Anxiety and Anguish is Good for Me.