Psalm 72 15

Psalm 72:15 kjv

And he shall live, and to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba: prayer also shall be made for him continually; and daily shall he be praised.

Psalm 72:15 nkjv

And He shall live; And the gold of Sheba will be given to Him; Prayer also will be made for Him continually, And daily He shall be praised.

Psalm 72:15 niv

Long may he live! May gold from Sheba be given him. May people ever pray for him and bless him all day long.

Psalm 72:15 esv

Long may he live; may gold of Sheba be given to him! May prayer be made for him continually, and blessings invoked for him all the day!

Psalm 72:15 nlt

Long live the king!
May the gold of Sheba be given to him.
May the people always pray for him
and bless him all day long.

Psalm 72 verses

Psalm 72 15 Meaning

Psalm 72:15 expresses a fourfold aspiration and declaration regarding the ideal king: that he may experience enduring life, receive boundless and precious tribute, be the continuous subject of people's intercession, and be perpetually acclaimed with blessings. This verse describes the perpetual veneration, divine favor, and widespread honor bestowed upon the king whose reign is marked by righteousness and universal dominion, foreshadowing the ultimate reign of the Messiah.

Psalm 72 15 Context

Psalm 72 is a royal psalm, attributed to Solomon (or written for him). It functions as a prayer and prophetic vision for an ideal king whose reign embodies justice, righteousness, and peace. The preceding verses (Psa 72:1-14) detail the king's righteous rule, his advocacy for the poor and needy, his worldwide dominion, and his victory over oppressors. This righteous governance brings prosperity, universal recognition, and extended life. Verse 15 builds upon this, portraying the perpetual honor, support, and blessings that this king, through his beneficent rule, would continuously receive, naturally pointing beyond any earthly monarch to the Messiah.

Psalm 72 15 Word analysis

• May he live (יְחִי, yechi): This is a jussive form, expressing a fervent wish or prayer for the king's long life. In ancient Near Eastern monarchies, the cry "Long live the king!" was common (e.g., 1 Sam 10:24, 1 Kgs 1:31). For the ideal king in this psalm, and especially for the Messiah, this signifies an eternal, unending reign, contrasting with the mortality of human kings (Heb 7:23-24). It's a desire for the perpetual flourishing of his reign.

• and may gold of Sheba (וּמִזָּהָב שְׁבָא, ūmizāhāḇ shəḇā): "Gold of Sheba" specifically denotes exceedingly valuable and rare treasures. Sheba was an ancient kingdom in what is modern-day Yemen, famous for its wealth in gold, frankincense, and precious stones (1 Kgs 10:2, Isa 60:6). The imagery conveys immense prosperity, international tribute, and universal recognition. It speaks to the global dominion and economic influence under this king's rule, where distant nations willingly bring their most prized possessions as homage.

• be given to him (יִתֶּן, yitten): While the Hebrew verb can be ambiguous between "he shall give" (active) and "it shall be given" (passive/impersonal), the context strongly suggests that gold from Sheba is brought or given to the king. It implies voluntary tribute and recognition of his sovereignty and blessedness, not merely his own wealth acquisition but as a reflection of his righteous and blessed reign.

• may prayer be made for him continually (וְיִתְפַּלֵּל עָלָיו תָּמִיד, wəyitpalēl ʿālāw tāmîḏ): The verb "yitpalel" (Hitpael form of palal) is reflexive and often means "he shall pray." However, when followed by "ʿālāw" (for him/concerning him), it takes on the meaning "intercede concerning him" or "pray concerning him." The context here signifies that the king is the subject of perpetual prayer from his people and beyond. This is not prayer for his temporal well-being in the ordinary sense, but rather a constant acknowledgment and invocation of his authority and favor. It reflects his perpetual prominence in the minds and supplications of those under his blessed reign, demonstrating constant veneration. "Continually" (תָּמִיד, tamid) emphasizes the unbroken nature of this homage.

• and blessing invoked for him all day long (וִיבָרֲכֻהוּ כָּל־הַיּוֹם, wîḇārăḵuhû kol-hayyom): "Yevarechehu" comes from the root barakh (bless). While it can mean "he will bless him" (active), in this context, coupled with "prayer," it means people are perpetually declaring blessings upon him, affirming his blessed state and greatness, or invoking blessings from God upon him. It signifies public acclamation and constant pronouncements of praise and favor for the king. "All day long" (כָּל־הַיּוֹם, kol-hayyom) stresses the ceaselessness and public nature of this blessing, an unending chorus of praise and well-wishing.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "May he live, and may gold of Sheba be given to him": This pairing encapsulates the twin desires for the king's enduring existence and his universal prosperity and honor. It portrays a reign that is not only lengthy but also globally acknowledged and immensely affluent, drawing in wealth and reverence from distant lands. This is a characteristic of the divine, enduring rule (Isa 9:7).
  • "may prayer be made for him continually, and blessing invoked for him all day long": These two phrases emphasize the active and ceaseless devotion of his subjects. The combination highlights that his reign inspires not only material tribute but also constant spiritual and verbal homage, showing a perpetual, internal reverence and outward proclamation of his blessedness.

Psalm 72 15 Bonus section

This verse can be understood as a doxological expression of the people's grateful recognition of their righteous king. In many ancient Near Eastern treaties and king lists, specific wishes or blessings for the king's health, longevity, and prosperity were common. However, the depth of "continual prayer" and "all-day blessing" for this king goes beyond mere political well-wishing. It indicates a spiritual homage due to a ruler who profoundly impacts and elevates humanity through his just and benevolent reign. This aspect strongly elevates the prophecy from an earthly monarch to the divine Messianic King, Jesus Christ, who receives continuous intercession from and for His church (Heb 7:25) and eternal praise from all creation (Rev 5:13).

Psalm 72 15 Commentary

Psalm 72:15 paints a picture of an ideal king whose reign is divinely ordained and perpetually glorified. "May he live" is more than a simple wish for longevity; for the Messiah, it points to His eternal life and reign, contrasting with finite earthly kings. The "gold of Sheba" symbolizes the universal, abundant tribute and wealth that naturally flows to a righteous sovereign, signifying the willing homage of nations to Christ. Furthermore, the king is perpetually the object of prayer and blessing. This indicates that His rule fosters a constant state of worship and adoration among His people, not as supplications for His welfare, but as continuous acknowledgements of His worth, authority, and the beneficence of His kingdom. The emphasis on "continually" and "all day long" underscores the ceaseless nature of this veneration, a testament to a perfect reign that perpetually draws the awe and devotion of all.