Psalms 72:13 · Bible study
Psalms 72:13 Commentary: The King’s Heart for the Poor
Hebrew · 8 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Exegetical study of Psalm 72:13: not merely Solomon but the Messiah. The king's pity for the poor prefigures Jesus' saving work.
Research Summary
- Meaning: God's anointed king shows compassion for the poor and actively delivers them from oppression.
- Key words: ḥûs (pity, spare), yāšaʿ (save, deliver), nepesh (soul, life, person).
- Main debate: Is this verse describing Solomon's reign, or is it a prophetic prediction of the Messiah?
- Theological theme: God's heart for the poor is reflected in the character of his appointed ruler.
- Best use: Preaching Christ as the compassionate King who saves the needy, and as a call to the Church to imitate that care.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
He will take pity on the poor and needy and save the lives of the oppressed.
WEB World English Bible 2000
He will have pity on the poor and needy. He will save the souls of the needy.
KJV King James Version 1769
He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the souls of the needy.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
He will have pity on the poor and needy, And the souls of the needy he will save.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
He hath pity on the poor and needy, And the souls of the needy he saveth,
Darby Darby Bible 1890
He will have compassion on the poor and needy, and will save the souls of the needy:
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
And I said: Then have I in vain justified my heart, and washed my hands among the innocent.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Tendrá misericordia del pobre y del menesteroso, y salvará las almas de los pobres.
Ele será piedoso para o pobre e necessitado, e salvará as almas dos necessitados.
Il aura pitié du misérable et de l’indigent,
Er wird gnädig sein den Geringen und Armen, und den Seelen der Armen wird er helfen.
Hij zal den arme en nooddruftige verschonen, en de zielen der nooddruftigen verlossen.
Egli avrà compassione dell’infelice e del bisognoso, e salverà l’anima de’ poveri.
Zmiłuje się nad ubogim, i nad niedostatecznym, a duszę nędznych wybawi.
[И я сказал:] так не напрасно ли я очищал сердце мое и омывал в невинности руки мои,
他要憐恤 貧寒 和窮乏的人，拯救 窮苦人 的性命。
He will have pity on the poor, and be the saviour of those who are in need.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · Psalms 72:13
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators across traditions agree that Psalm 72:13 sets forth a king defined by compassion for the poor. Barnes writes that he 'will have pity on' and 'show mercy' to them. Gill applies it directly to Christ, who as a merciful king is 'touched with a feeling of his people's infirmities.' Keil and Delitzsch note that the king's elevation to world dominion is the reward of his condescension toward the poor, the special object of God's eye. Cambridge Bible links the verse to other passages where God defends the weak. While some interpreters read the psalm primarily as a description of Solomon's reign, others see it as a prophecy of the Messiah. Yet all agree that the verse presents a kingdom measured by its care for the vulnerable. The king's pity (Hebrew ḥûs) means to spare or look with compassion, and his saving (yāšaʿ) implies deliverance from oppression. This is the heart of righteous rule.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Historical view (Solomon): The psalm's inscription 'of Solomon,' and specific details like gold from Sheba (v.15) fit his reign.
- Messianic view (Christ): The language of universal dominion (vv.8-11) surpasses Solomon's historical reach, and the NT applies similar language to Jesus (e.g., Matthew 28:18).
What is clear: The verse asserts that the king's defining role is compassion toward the poor and deliverance of the needy.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Identity of the King | The psalm describes an ideal king who embodies justice and compassion. | Some interpreters (e.g., traditional Jewish commentators) see this primarily as Solomon; others (many Christian interpreters) see it as a prophecy of the Messiah, with Solomon as a type. |
| Scope of the Kingdom | The king's reign extends universally (verses 8-11). | Is this hyperbolic language for Solomon's influence, or a literal prophecy of Christ's worldwide kingdom? |
| Nature of Salvation | The king saves the needy from oppression and violence. | Does this refer only to physical deliverance, or also to spiritual salvation from sin and judgment? |
| Contemporary Application | The verse calls leaders to care for the poor. | Should this be applied directly to modern governments, or is it exclusively about Christ's kingdom? |
Historical & Cultural Context
The historical setting of Psalm 72 is debated, but the inscriptions and content point to David's prayer for his son Solomon. Calvin notes that David likely composed it, while Solomon may have later set it to verse. In the ancient Near East, kings were expected to defend the poor and execute justice; this role was especially strong in Israel, where the king was God's representative. The Hebrew words used here, dal (low, weak) and evyon (needy, oppressed), emphasize the vulnerability of those the king protects. The verb ḥûs carries the sense of sparing or looking on with compassion, while yāšaʿ (to save) is the same root used for God's deliverance of Israel. Cambridge Bible compares this to Psalms 40:1 and 82:3-4. Verse 14 shows how far this care goes: the king redeems their lives from oppression and violence, and their blood is precious in his sight. The psalm's description of a worldwide kingdom (verses 8-11) extends far beyond Solomon's actual reign. Many commentators therefore see here a prophecy of the Messiah. The historical king provides a type that reaches its fulfillment in Christ.
Textual Notes
The consulted sources note no significant textual variants for Psalm 72:13. The verse is stable across the Hebrew manuscripts and the ancient versions. The main variations in English translations reflect different ways of rendering the Hebrew verbs (future tense or present) and the word 'souls' (or 'lives').
Reception History
From the early church onward, Psalm 72 was read as a messianic psalm. The verse about the king's pity for the poor was understood as fulfilled in Christ, who identified with the poor and saved the lost. Augustine applied it to the spiritual kingdom of Christ. During the Reformation, Calvin emphasized that while the literal sense referred to Solomon, the ultimate referent is the eternal King. In the medieval period this verse was used in prayers for the king, and later in hymns celebrating Christ's compassion. Today it remains a key text for reflecting on the biblical mandate for justice and the character of the Messiah.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- A King Who Sees the Lowly, The king's gaze is directed to the poor and needy (dal and evyon), those overlooked by society. Barnes notes he 'will have pity on' them, actively noticing their condition.
- A King Who Acts with Compassion, The verb ḥûs means to spare or look upon with deep compassion. This is not detached sympathy but a mercy that moves to action. Calvin speaks of the king's condescension as the basis for his authority.
- A King Who Saves, The king saves the souls (lives) of the needy. Gill highlights that this points to Christ, who saves from sin and wrath to come. The deliverance is both physical and spiritual.
Five-point outline
- The King's Heart: Pity, the inner disposition of the ruler.
- The King's Eyes: On the poor and needy, distinctive focus on the vulnerable.
- The King's Hands: To save, active deliverance from oppression.
- The King's Goal: The souls (lives) of the needy, the whole person is valued, as verse 14 makes clear.
- The King's Identity: Ultimately Christ, Matthew Henry calls this a prophecy of the kingdom of Christ under the shadow of Solomon's reign.
Illustration hooks
- A manager who learns the name of the quietest person in the department and asks about their struggles. That kind of noticing changes a workplace.
- A parent who drops everything to comfort a crying child, even when they have a dozen other tasks. The king of Psalm 72 has that same priority.
- A community that organizes to help a family facing eviction. The verse shows that protecting the vulnerable is the mark of any just society.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Can we apply this verse to political leaders today, or is it only about Jesus?
- Does God care about our physical poverty, or only our spiritual need?
- If this king saves the needy, why do we still see so much suffering?
Leading a Discussion
This verse calls us to consider the heart of God's chosen king. As you read Psalm 72, notice that the king's power is measured by his care for the poor. Use these questions to explore the passage together.
Discussion questions
- Observation: What two or three different words does the psalmist use to describe those in need? What do they each emphasize?
- Observation: What actions does the king take toward the needy in verses 12-14? List them.
- Interpretation: Why do you think the king's compassion for the poor is linked to the universal scope of his kingdom (verses 8-11)?
- Interpretation: Some see this verse as about Solomon, others as a prophecy of the Messiah. What evidence from the psalm supports each view?
- Interpretation: The Hebrew word nepesh (soul) often means one's whole life. What does it mean to 'save the souls of the needy'?
- Application: How does Jesus fulfill this verse in his ministry? Consider passages like Matthew 5:3 or James 2:5.
- Application: If the Church is the body of Christ, how can we show the same pity and saving care for the poor in our own community?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Job 5:15 | But he saves from the sword of their mouth, even the needy from the hand of the mighty. |
| Job 5:16 | So the poor has hope, and injustice shuts her mouth. |
| Psalms 109:31 | For he will stand at the right hand of the needy, to save him from those who judge his soul. |
| Ezekiel 34:16 | “I will seek that which was lost, and will bring back that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick; but I will destroy the fat and the strong. I will feed them in justice.”’ |
| Matthew 5:3 | “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. |
| Matthew 18:10 | See that you don’t despise one of these little ones, for I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven. |
| James 2:5 | Listen, my beloved brothers. Didn’t God choose those who are poor in this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the Kingdom which he promised to those who love him? |
| James 2:6 | But you have dishonored the poor man. Don’t the rich oppress you and personally drag you before the courts? |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
7 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes stresses that the ruler’s mercy toward the poor is not incidental but central to his administration. He deliberately focuses on those who are commonly ignored and vulnerable to injustice, making them the special objects of his protection and care.
Calvin's Commentaries Reformed 1564
Calvin argues that this psalm, though written about Solomon's reign, ultimately points beyond him to the Messiah. The description of the king's glory and the happiness of his subjects fits Christ far more perfectly than it ever fit Solomon, showing that the Holy Spirit was directing David's prayer toward the greater King to come.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
This ideal ruler holds absolute moral authority, and his compassion extends not only to the poor but also to the sick and weak. When the text speaks of saving their souls, it refers to preserving their very lives, underscoring his duty to rescue the helpless.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva annotators identify this as a portrait of the Messiah's rule. They note that Christ's kingship is distinguished by active compassion for the poor and needy, not merely sparing them but actively preserving their lives and souls.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill emphasizes that Christ as King and High Priest shows pity on the needy, saving their souls in particular. He notes that souls are singled out as the most excellent part of a person, the part that sins and deserves condemnation, making them the special focus of redemption and salvation from wrath.
Keil & Delitzsch OT Commentary Protestant 1876
Keil-Delitzsch highlight the king's condescension: he rescues the poor, gives them gold from Sheba, and restores them to life. In return, the rescued poor person prays unceasingly for the king and blesses him always. The commentary notes that this reciprocal dynamic, while imprecise by Western standards, fits the lyrical Oriental style.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange argues that this Psalm is neither merely a description of Solomon's ideal reign nor exclusively a direct prophecy of the Messiah. Instead, it is a prayer arising from the ideal character of the Hebrew monarchy as God's kingdom, finding historical support in Solomon's time while its expressions are prophetical, pointing forward to ultimate fulfillment in Christ.