Psalms 72:20 Commentary: The Colophon That Shapes the Psalter

Psalm 72:20 stands as a colophon, a scribal notation common in ancient Near Eastern manuscripts. Its closest biblical parallel is Job 31:40, “The words of Job are ended,” which separates Job’s speeches from God’s reply and Elihu’s later words. In the Psalms, such notes signal the end of a distinct collection. The Hebrew verb kullu (they are finished) is a Pual perfect, indicating a completed action, and mirrors the form found in Job 31:40 and Jeremiah 51:64.

The division of the Psalter into five books (1, 41, 42, 72, 73, 89, 90, 106, 107, 150) is well attested. Each book ends with a doxology (Psalm 41:13; 72:18, 19; 89:52; 106:48; 150 as whole). Psalm 72’s doxology appears just before this colophon, leading many scholars to believe the colophon is older than the final five‐book arrangement. Keil and Delitzsch argue it originates from a smaller Davidic collection compiled in Solomon’s time, which later served as the core for Book II. Cambridge Bible suggests that the compiler of the Elohistic Psalter added the note after gathering psalms attributed to David, Asaph, and the sons of Korah.

Critically, the statement “the prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended” cannot mean David wrote no more psalms, many Davidic psalms appear in Books III, V (e.g., Psalms 86, 101, 103, 110). Instead, it functions like a chapter heading in a scroll: “here ends the collection I had of David’s prayers.” This insight reminds readers that Scripture was shaped by faithful editors, working under divine providence, to order the songs of God’s people for worship.

The consulted sources note no significant textual variants in the Hebrew. The Septuagint renders “the hymns of David” (ὕμνοι) rather than “prayers,” which may reflect a different underlying reading or recension. The Syriac version adds the note “the end of the second book,” an interpretation rather than a variant. The Pual form kullu (cf. Psalm 36:13; 80:11) is consistent across manuscripts. The verse is present in all major witnesses.

Early Christian interpreters like Origen and Hilary of Poitiers recognized the five-book division of the Psalms, and likely used Psalm 72:20 as evidence for that structure. The Latin tradition followed the Septuagint, reading “hymns.” Medieval Jewish commentators, such as Rashi and Kimchi, debated whether the verse meant David’s own prayers were finished or that the prophecies of the psalm would be fulfilled (as Aben Ezra records). Protestant Reformers (Calvin, Luther) used the verse to argue for Davidic authorship of Book II, while also acknowledging the editorial nature. Roman Catholic scholars (e.g., John of the Cross) read it more devotionally as the end of David’s earthly prayers, pointing to Christ. The historical consensus across traditions is that this colophon is a key to understanding the Psalter’s composition.

Three-Point Outline

1. The Editor’s Hand: This verse is a colophon, not a prayer. It shows that human hands, guided by the Holy Spirit, compiled the Psalms for the church.
2. The Ending That Points to Continuation: “Ended” here means only one collection is finished. The Davidic voice continues in later books, reminding us that God’s story is larger than any one moment.
3. From Colophon to Canon: Such notes help us trust the integrity of Scripture, the church received not random poems but an ordered songbook for worship.

Five-Point Outline

1. The structure of the Psalter: five books, each with a doxology.
2. Psalm 72:20 as evidence of earlier collections.
3. The role of David in Israel’s worship tradition.
4. The humanity of Scripture: editors, compilers, and scribes.
5. How this shapes our reading: we study not just individual psalms but their arrangement.

Illustration Hooks

• A modern hymnbook that collects songs by one writer, then adds a note: “End of hymns by Isaac Watts.” The next section may contain more Watts hymns found later.
• An author’s “collected works” published in volumes, the first volume ends with “End of Volume I,” but the author wrote more.
• A playlist curated by a church leader: “Songs of David” playlist stops at 20 songs, but the full library has 73.

Questions Your Congregation Is Asking

• Why does the Bible include editorial notes like this? Does that make it less divinely inspired?
• Why aren’t we told more about how the Psalms were collected?
• If this verse says David’s prayers are ended, why do later psalms say “of David”?

Psalm 72:20 is a small verse with big implications. It is not a prayer or a prophecy but a scribal note that tells us something about how the Psalms were gathered. As you discuss, remember that the church has always seen the whole Psalter as God’s Word, and even these editorial markers are part of the inspired text.

Discussion Questions

1. Look at the context: Psalm 72:18-19 is a doxology, then verse 20 is this colophon. What is the effect of placing it after the doxology?
2. Read Job 31:40 and Jeremiah 51:64. How are these colophons similar? What does that suggest about ancient scribal practice?
3. Barnes and Cambridge Bible say this note cannot have been written by David. Does knowing that change how you view the Psalm’s inspiration? Why or why not?
4. Keil and Delitzsch argue the colophon comes from an earlier collection. How does that affect your understanding of how the Psalms came together?
5. Why do you think the final editors of the Psalter kept this note even though more Davidic psalms would appear later?
6. What does this verse teach us about God’s use of human authors, not just poets but also editors and compilers?
7. How might this verse help someone who struggles with the idea that Scripture was written by many human hands over centuries?