The Rule of the Great King
What the world sorely needs is a government that is righteous and just in all its ways. Unfortunately, there has never been a truly righteous king or righteous government in the history of the world. King Solomon understands this fact and petitions God for the rule of a righteous and just king, whose kingdom will never end.
The 1st and 2nd petitions are that the king will rule with justice and righteousness (72:1-3). The rule of the King will be according to God’s will. His judgements will be right because He will be righteous. Inequality, partiality and injustice will no longer exist under His reign (72:2-4)
The 3rd petition is that that the king would be a blessing to the people (72:5-7). He would lead the people to worship God just as He does. His reign will be beneficial to the people and refreshing, like the the rain on the earth (72:6-7).
The 4th petition is that the king would reign in an everlasting kingdom (72:8-15). Solomon goes on to describe how all the peoples and rulers of the earth will come and pay homage to the One King (72:8-11). He will rule the world with genuine compassion and care for the people (72:12-15).
The 5th and 6th petitions are that the king would have a Bountiful and Glorifying reign (72:16-17). The people will flourish under His rule and all the nations will glorify His name.
Like the psalmist, we can praise the Lord (72:18-20). Christ is reigning now over a spiritual kingdom as He builds His church. In the future He will reign over a physical kingdom in which all things will be put in subjection to Him, and He will rule in the ways that Solomon prays here in psalm 72.