Psalm 72:9

Translations

Modern

May the nomads bow before him, and his enemies lick the dust.

Traditional

They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust.

Literal

Before him the desert dwellers will bow down, and his enemies will lick the dust.

Latin

Coram illo procident Æthiopes, et inimici ejus terram lingent.

Original

Hebrew

English

May the nomads bow before him, and his enemies lick the dust.

Notes

Psalms 72:8–9

from sea to sea: This phrase represents the entire world.
Solomon's kingdom stretched from the Euphrates River in the east to the Philistine territory in the west (1 Kings 4:21; see Psalms 80:8–11; 89:19–25), where the Mediterranean Sea appeared to be at the ends of the earth (see 2:8).
Everyone will bow before this king, including desert nomads (Psalm 72:9), his enemies, and all the world's kings (see Micah 7:17).

Psalms 72:8–11

The anointed king will rule the entire world. Even enemy nations will obey him. In the ancient Near East, giving gifts to the king showed his success and reputation (see 1 Kings 10).

Psalms 72:1–20

This royal psalm concludes Book Two, with Psalm 72:18–20 serving as an epilogue for the entire book. The psalmist considers the future of David's royal line and Zion (see Psalms 46, 48). He prays that Israel's kings will be good and successful, spreading the Lord's blessing to all people worldwide. The exceptional righteousness and rule desired in this prayer hint at the future arrival of Jesus, the Son of David.

Psalms 69:1–72:20

These last four psalms of Book Two contrast with the earlier psalms that describe God’s mighty acts in creation and redemption, ending with God’s march to Zion (Psalms 65–68). Psalms 69–71 describe the king's suffering, and Psalm 72 responds with a prayer for God to bless the king.

Theme notes and profiles

Solomon Royal Psalms Solomon’s Wisdom

Related verses

Isaiah 49:23
Kings will be your foster fathers, and their queens your nursing mothers. They will bow to you facedown and lick the dust at your feet. Then you will know that I am the LORD; those who hope in Me will never be put to shame.”
Micah 7:17
They will lick the dust like a snake, like reptiles slithering on the ground. They will come trembling from their strongholds in the presence of the LORD our God; they will tremble in fear of You.
Luke 19:27
And these enemies of mine who were unwilling for me to rule over them, bring them here and slay them in front of me.’”
Psalm 110:6
He will judge the nations, heaping up the dead; He will crush the leaders far and wide.
1 Kings 9:18
Baalath, and Tamar in the Wilderness of Judah,
1 Kings 9:20–21
As for all the people who remained of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites (the people who were not Israelites)—
Psalm 2:9
You will break them with an iron scepter; You will shatter them like pottery.”
Psalm 21:8–9
Your hand will apprehend all Your enemies; Your right hand will seize those who hate You.
Psalm 110:1
A Psalm of David. The LORD said to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”
Isaiah 35:1–2
The wilderness and the dry land will be glad; the desert will rejoice and blossom like a rose.
Psalm 22:29
All the rich of the earth will feast and worship; all who go down to the dust will kneel before Him—even those unable to preserve their lives.

Psalm 72:9

Translations?

Original?

Notes?

Related verses?

Parallels?

Glossary?

Topics?

Translations

Original

Notes

Related verses

Parallels

Glossary

Topics