Psalm 72:12 kjv
For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper.
Psalm 72:12 nkjv
For He will deliver the needy when he cries, The poor also, and him who has no helper.
Psalm 72:12 niv
For he will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help.
Psalm 72:12 esv
For he delivers the needy when he calls, the poor and him who has no helper.
Psalm 72:12 nlt
He will rescue the poor when they cry to him;
he will help the oppressed, who have no one to defend them.
Psalm 72 12 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference Note |
|---|---|---|
| Deliverance for Needy & Oppressed | ||
| Ps 10:14 | "You do see, for you note mischief... the helpless commends himself to you; you are the helper of the orphan." | God helps the helpless. |
| Ps 34:6 | "This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him and saved him out of all his troubles." | God hears cries of the afflicted. |
| Ps 35:10 | "...who delivers the poor from him who is too strong for him, the poor and needy from him who robs him?" | God is the deliverer of the weak. |
| Ps 40:17 | "As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord cares for me..." | The Lord provides for the needy. |
| Ps 68:5-6 | "Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God... God settles the solitary in a home..." | God's character as a protector. |
| Ps 82:3-4 | "Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked." | Call to human authorities for justice. |
| Ps 113:7-8 | "He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap..." | God elevates the lowly. |
| Ps 140:12 | "I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and justice for the needy." | God's assurance of justice. |
| Job 5:15-16 | "So he saves the needy from the sword of their mouth, from the hand of the mighty. So the poor have hope..." | God delivers and gives hope. |
| Prov 28:27 | "Whoever gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse." | Encourages aid to the poor. |
| Isa 41:17 | "When the poor and needy seek water... I the LORD will answer them..." | God's direct response to the needy. |
| Jer 22:16 | "He judged the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well. Is not this to know me? declares the LORD." | Righteous rule cares for the vulnerable. |
| Messianic Fulfillment & Christ's Character | ||
| Isa 9:6-7 | "For to us a child is born... of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end..." | Prophecy of Messiah's eternal kingdom. |
| Isa 11:3-5 | "...he shall not judge by what his eyes see... but with righteousness he shall judge the poor..." | Messiah's just judgment. |
| Isa 42:1-4 | "Behold my servant, whom I uphold... He will not cry aloud... A bruised reed he will not break..." | Messiah's gentle, yet just, service. |
| Isa 61:1-3 | "The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me... to preach good news to the poor... to bind up the brokenhearted..." | Messiah's mission to the poor. |
| Zech 9:9-10 | "Rejoice greatly... your king is coming to you... humble and mounted on a donkey... He will proclaim peace..." | Messiah's humble kingship bringing peace. |
| Matt 5:3 | "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." | Jesus blesses the spiritually needy. |
| Matt 11:5 | "...the poor have good news preached to them." | Jesus fulfilling prophecy about the poor. |
| Matt 12:20 | "A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench..." | Christ's tender care for the vulnerable. |
| Matt 25:31-46 | "Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me." | Christ identifies with the needy. |
| Luke 4:18-19 | "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me... to proclaim good news to the poor..." | Jesus' inaugural mission statement. |
| Luke 7:22 | "...the poor have good news preached to them." | Jesus confirms signs of His ministry. |
| Crying Out for Help | ||
| Ps 18:6 | "In my distress I called upon the LORD; to my God I cried for help..." | Personal prayer in distress. |
| Ps 77:1-2 | "I cry aloud to God, aloud to God, and he will hear me... in the day of my trouble I seek the Lord..." | Seeking God amidst trouble. |
| Ps 107:6, 13, 19, 28 | "Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress." | Repeated theme of crying out & deliverance. |
| Lam 3:55-56 | "I called on your name, O LORD, from the depths of the pit... You heard my plea..." | Crying from utter desolation. |
Psalm 72 verses
Psalm 72 12 Meaning
Psalm 72:12 proclaims the character and actions of the righteous King, whose reign is marked by active compassion and intervention for the most vulnerable. This verse reveals that the King will actively deliver the destitute who cry out for help, showing specific concern for the poor and those utterly abandoned, having no other source of aid. It highlights a divine model of leadership centered on justice, mercy, and protective care for the marginalized, ultimately pointing to the Messianic reign of Christ.
Psalm 72 12 Context
Psalm 72 is often ascribed to Solomon (Psalm 72:1 "Of Solomon."). It is a prayer for the king, describing the ideal reign of a righteous monarch whose kingdom is characterized by justice, peace, and abundance. While initially a petition for a human king's wise and benevolent rule, its language transcends the capabilities of any earthly sovereign, making it one of the most significant Messianic Psalms. The verses immediately preceding 72:12 speak of the king's dominion over all lands (Ps 72:8-11), culminating in worldwide tribute. Verse 12 then grounds this majestic global rule in practical compassion: the king's vast power is wielded to protect the most humble and vulnerable within society, thus preventing the potential for abuse of power by an all-encompassing reign. It foreshadows a kingdom of true righteousness where the weak are defended and justice prevails, a reign fully embodied only by the Lord Jesus Christ.
Psalm 72 12 Word analysis
- For he will deliver: The Hebrew verb is yatsil (יַצִּיל), a causative form implying rescue, snatching away from danger or oppression. It signifies a decisive, active intervention by the king, preventing harm or removing suffering. The "he" (referring to the king) is the subject of this powerful, compassionate action.
- the needy: The Hebrew word is 'evyon (אֶבְיוֹן). This term signifies not merely financial poverty, but a state of extreme destitution, often involving a lack of power and protection, leaving one highly vulnerable to oppression and exploitation. It denotes utter dependency.
- when he crieth: The Hebrew word is meshawwe'a (מְשַׁוֵּעַ). This refers to a desperate, urgent cry or shout for help. It highlights the dire distress of the individual and their direct, impassioned appeal to the king (or God). It suggests that the king's intervention is not simply general benevolence but a response to an expressed need.
- the poor also: The Hebrew term is 'ani (עָנִי). This word overlaps with 'evyon but can also carry nuances of being afflicted, oppressed, humble, or lowly. It emphasizes their vulnerable social standing and often, their lack of means or defenders. The repetition reinforces the king's focus on all facets of the downtrodden.
- and him that hath no helper: The Hebrew phrase is v'ein 'ozer lo (וְאֵין עוֹזֵר לוֹ), literally "and there is no helper to him." This specifies the most dire condition: one who is utterly abandoned, isolated, and powerless. This person lacks human resources, connections, or advocacy, making them completely reliant on an outside source for deliverance. It powerfully underlines the king's unique and indispensable role as their ultimate resort and rescuer.
- Words-group analysis:
- "deliver the needy... when he crieth... the poor... him that hath no helper": This cumulative description paints a picture of extreme human need – those utterly without resources, defense, or hope – emphasizing the comprehensive nature of the king's compassion and the depth of his salvific work. It is not abstract benevolence but concrete, active deliverance for those in desperate peril. The progression moves from general neediness, to the cry of distress, to reinforcing material poverty, and finally to complete friendlessness, demonstrating the king's commitment to the most neglected strata of society.
Psalm 72 12 Bonus section
The concept of the king delivering "him that hath no helper" directly challenges the self-reliance philosophy and the oppressive systems common in the ancient world where the vulnerable were easily exploited or overlooked. This Psalm presents a stark contrast to typical pagan kings who might demand worship and exploit subjects; instead, God's chosen king is defined by humble service to the weakest. The repeated emphasis on the "needy" and "poor" throughout Psalm 72 underscores a central theme of God's heart: concern for social justice and the marginalized, a theme reiterated throughout the Old Testament prophets and epitomized in the ministry of Jesus. This verse also implicitly highlights the power of a desperate, earnest prayer ("when he crieth"), showing that God responds to the earnest pleas of those in dire need, especially when all other human avenues are exhausted.
Psalm 72 12 Commentary
Psalm 72:12 encapsulates the heart of righteous governance and serves as a cornerstone of the psalm's Messianic vision. The ideal king, whether human or divine, is not merely a powerful ruler but an active deliverer for the most distressed. His vast dominion (as mentioned in preceding verses) is not for self-aggrandizement but for the selfless service of those least able to help themselves. The inclusion of the "needy," "poor," and especially "him that hath no helper" highlights a profound commitment to justice and mercy for the truly abandoned. The king's intervention is contingent on the desperate cry, underscoring both human responsibility to seek aid and divine readiness to respond. This verse anticipates the very nature of Christ's kingdom, where He, as the ultimate King, identifies with the marginalized and brings comprehensive salvation to those who acknowledge their utter dependence on Him, truly having no other helper. His kingdom is not merely one of power, but of compassionate redemption and unwavering protection for the humble and afflicted.