Psalm 72 7

Psalm 72:7 kjv

In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth.

Psalm 72:7 nkjv

In His days the righteous shall flourish, And abundance of peace, Until the moon is no more.

Psalm 72:7 niv

In his days may the righteous flourish and prosperity abound till the moon is no more.

Psalm 72:7 esv

In his days may the righteous flourish, and peace abound, till the moon be no more!

Psalm 72:7 nlt

May all the godly flourish during his reign.
May there be abundant prosperity until the moon is no more.

Psalm 72 verses

Psalm 72 7 Meaning

Psalm 72:7 vividly portrays the hallmarks of an ideal, divinely-blessed reign. It foretells a time when, under the rule of this king, the righteous will not merely survive but thrive and prosper in every aspect of life. Hand-in-hand with this flourishing will be an immeasurable and pervasive peace, a comprehensive well-being that is not fleeting but enduring perpetually, even "so long as the moon endures," signifying its eternal nature.

Psalm 72 7 Context

Psalm 72 is a royal psalm, attributed to Solomon ( superscription) or composed about an ideal Davidic king. It begins with a prayer for the king to possess divine justice and righteousness (vv. 1-2). The psalm then elaborates on the blessings and characteristics of such a king's reign: the mountains will yield peace (v. 3), the poor will be judged justly (v. 4), he will endure as long as the sun and moon (v. 5), his reign will refresh like rain (v. 6). Verse 7, then, describes the practical outcome of such a just and refreshing reign – the flourishing of the righteous and the abundance of peace. While initially applying to an earthly king, the grandeur of the language and the descriptions of eternal reign and universal peace far exceed the capabilities of any human monarch, leading scholars to understand it as ultimately prophetic of the Messiah's perfect and eternal kingdom. It paints a picture of what God’s perfect rule will look like.

Psalm 72 7 Word analysis

• In his days (בְּיָמָיו - bə·yā·māw):

  • Word Level: This phrase denotes the specific period or duration of the king's rule. It implies that these blessings are a direct consequence and hallmark of his reign, dependent on his character and administration. It signifies an era defined by his presence and governance.
  • Original Context: In the ancient Near East, the prosperity or suffering of a land was often directly linked to the character and divine favor upon its king. A righteous king was seen as the conduit of divine blessings.
  • Significance: This highlights the King as the central figure through whom these ideal conditions manifest. It's not a generic flourishing, but one intrinsically tied to his sovereign authority. For the Messiah, this speaks to His unique role as the bringer of the Kingdom.

• shall the righteous flourish (יִפְרַח־צַדִּיק - yip̄raḥ-ṣadîq):

  • Flourish (יִפְרַח - yip̄raḥ): The verb parach (פרח) means to sprout, blossom, bloom, break forth. It suggests vitality, growth, and outward manifestation of well-being, like a plant burgeoning in favorable conditions. It’s not just existence, but thriving.
  • Righteous (צַדִּיק - ṣaddîq): Refers to those who are morally upright, just, and aligned with God's will and law. It implies integrity, uprightness in character and conduct before God and man.
  • Words-group: This emphasizes the direct link between a righteous ruler and the well-being of righteous individuals within the society. Their prosperity is directly attributable to the King's just governance, which cultivates an environment conducive to spiritual and even material growth for those who live justly. This stands in contrast to corrupt earthly reigns where the wicked often prosper while the righteous are oppressed.

• and abundance of peace (וְרֹב שָׁלוֹם - wə·rōḇ šālōm):

  • Abundance (וְרֹב - wə·rōḇ): The noun rov (רֹב) means "multitude, abundance, greatness." It implies not just peace, but an overflowing, superabundant, pervasive peace that saturates society. It is comprehensive and unrestrained.
  • Peace (שָׁלוֹם - šālōm): Far more than merely the absence of conflict. Shalom is a profound, holistic concept of well-being, wholeness, completeness, harmony, prosperity, security, and restoration. It encompasses physical health, spiritual flourishing, societal concord, and reconciliation. It describes a state where nothing is missing, broken, or out of place.
  • Words-group: This pairing indicates that the peace under this king's rule will not be limited or fragile, but vast and all-encompassing. It signifies a profound societal transformation where strife and discord are replaced by profound harmony and collective prosperity, stemming from a truly righteous order.

• so long as the moon endures (עַד־בְּלִי יָרֵחַ - ‘aḏ-bəlî yārēaḥ):

  • So long as (עַד־בְּלִי - ‘aḏ-bəlî): Literally "until there is not." This idiomatic expression in Hebrew functions as a powerful declaration of eternity or endlessness, indicating something that continues without cessation, as long as a stable and enduring cosmic element exists.
  • Moon (יָרֵחַ - yārēaḥ): The moon is used poetically as a symbol of consistency and endurance, due to its regular, predictable cycle through generations.
  • Words-group: This phrase extends the promise of peace and flourishing beyond a human lifespan or a temporary reign to an eternal, everlasting period. It serves as a poetic hyperbole, indicating perpetual duration, contrasting the fleeting nature of earthly kingdoms with the unending reign of this ideal king. It implicitly underscores the divine source of this kingship, as only God’s work is eternal.

Psalm 72 7 Bonus section

• Polemics against Pagan beliefs: In a world where deities were often seen as capricious or ineffective, and human rulers fleeting or tyrannical, this verse stands as a powerful testament to the stability and benevolent character of the true God and His promised King. It asserts a lasting peace and true flourishing that no pagan deity or human king could ever guarantee. The pagan understanding of the cosmos often involved chaos or a cyclical return to destruction; the permanence implied by the moon enduring suggests a divine order established forever.
• The King's Agency: While God is the ultimate source of blessing, the psalmist here clearly links the outworking of these blessings directly to the character and reign of the king. It underscores the profound responsibility and indeed, the divine appointment of this specific monarch.
• Ideal Human Rulership: Beyond its prophetic messianic fulfillment, this verse serves as a perpetual standard for human governance. It teaches that the mark of true leadership lies in fostering an environment where righteousness can flourish and genuine peace can abound, serving as an aspiration for all who lead.

Psalm 72 7 Commentary

Psalm 72:7 encapsulates the idyllic vision of a Messianic kingdom. Under the just and righteous rule of the divinely appointed King, those who adhere to God's ways will not merely exist but experience vibrant, holistic prosperity. This "flourishing" implies a thriving condition, both spiritually and, in context, often materially or in terms of reputation and influence. Crucially, this king's reign is also characterized by an "abundance of peace," a state of shalom that brings profound wholeness and well-being, far beyond the mere absence of conflict. This peace permeates every aspect of society, ensuring harmony, security, and true flourishing for all under his dominion. The most remarkable aspect is its duration: "so long as the moon endures." This phrase emphasizes the eternal and unchanging nature of this reign and its blessings. Unlike the transient empires of humanity, the peace and flourishing under the Messianic King are perpetually established, extending into eternity, echoing the unshakeable nature of God’s own promises and kingdom. This verse points unequivocally to Christ, the King of Righteousness and Peace, whose kingdom "will have no end."