The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended. Psalm 72:20 KJV

The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended.  Psalms 72:20 NASB

Psalms 42 to 72 constitute what is known as the second book of the Psalms. There are many links with Exodus – the second book of Moses, which can be traced. For now, however, appreciate that this section begins with a king in rejection (Ps 43) and ends here in Psalm 72 with a King recognized and reigning.

Fast forward to the end of the psalm and notice what may at first seem like a strange and inherently contradictory statement. “The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended.” Did David cease writing psalms or praying when he had completed Psalm 72? Obviously not! So how then do we explain his words? Before addressing this, look back at 2 Samuel 23:1: “These be the last words of David, the son of Jesse .” And yet again, David spoke after these words. So how were they his last words?

The final prayer of David was followed by many more. The last words of David were followed by more words. The solution to these seeming contradictions lies in the subject matter of each section. Here in Psalm 72, David is occupied with a coming King and Kingdom. He is looking down through the millennia and rejoicing in the prospect of Messiah’s reign. As He thinks of the honour that He will receive, the glory attendant upon Him, the blessings for the earth, and the place of His nation, Israel, all the substance of his prayer has been answered. This is the highest and sublimest of all desires ever breathed out in prayer. He can pray for nothing else and desire nothing else when the truth of Psalm 72 has become reality.

Likewise, we can rise no higher in our praying than to desire that He might receive the honour, glory, vindication, and place which God has desired for Him. This was the substance of Paul’s prayer for the Colossian saints when he prayed that they might “be filled with the knowledge of His will” (Col 1:9). That will is for Christ to have the preeminence in every sphere (Col 1:18).

What more can we ask for? What more could David pray for than what Psalm 72 expressed?

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Consider:

1. Notice how both in Psalm 72:20 and 2 Sam 23:1, David refers to himself as the son of Jesse. Why do you think he does not refer to himself as David the king when he is talking about the reign of God’s perfect and ultimate king?
2. Notice how prominent the words “righteousness” and “peace” are in verses 1 and 2. Does this remind you of anything about the Man Who will be the King-Priest upon His throne?
3. “Let the whole earth be filled with His glory” (v 19). Can you find other places in the Old Testament where the expression “the earth filled with His glory” is found and the context of each?