These words affirm that David’s dependence on God becomes a lasting model for faith and trust.
In declaring that “The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended.” (v.20), the psalmist brings a final note to the collected petitions and praises of King David. This statement follows a series of royal prayers in Psalm 72, which describe a righteous king’s reign of justice and blessing. By concluding on this note, the text emphasizes that these prayers, associated with one of Israel’s most famous leaders, have reached a fulfillment or closure within the scope of the Psalms. David, a pivotal figure in Israel’s history, served as the second king of Israel from approximately 1010 to 970 B.C., succeeding Saul and preceding his own son Solomon. His father, Jesse, lived in Bethlehem, a small yet profound location south of Jerusalem that would later become famously connected to Jesus (Matthew 2:1).
The designation “son of Jesse” further roots the verse in David’s humble beginnings, reminding the reader that this king of Israel rose from a shepherd family in Bethlehem to become a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14). Such a reference underscores that God often calls those who appear unremarkable by worldly standards. Though David eventually led a unified Israel, winning battles against formidable foes, his prayers often conveyed both the personal struggles he faced and the yearnings of a nation. By highlighting David’s identity in this conclusion, Scripture shows how the completion of his prayers can symbolize a spiritual culmination—an assurance that God’s redemptive plan weaves together even from modest origins.
Moreover, ending these prayers can be seen as a transition that points forward to the promise of a future and greater king, fulfilled in Jesus Christ (Luke 1:32-33). David’s heartfelt intercessions and praises laid the foundation for the hope of a perfect reign that surpasses human limitations. In this sense, Psalm 72:20 acts as both a conclusion and a bridge, sealing the recorded petitions of a beloved king while pointing toward a lasting hope that would come centuries later in the Messiah, a descendant of David.
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Psalms 72:20 meaning
In declaring that “The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended.” (v.20), the psalmist brings a final note to the collected petitions and praises of King David. This statement follows a series of royal prayers in Psalm 72, which describe a righteous king’s reign of justice and blessing. By concluding on this note, the text emphasizes that these prayers, associated with one of Israel’s most famous leaders, have reached a fulfillment or closure within the scope of the Psalms. David, a pivotal figure in Israel’s history, served as the second king of Israel from approximately 1010 to 970 B.C., succeeding Saul and preceding his own son Solomon. His father, Jesse, lived in Bethlehem, a small yet profound location south of Jerusalem that would later become famously connected to Jesus (Matthew 2:1).
The designation “son of Jesse” further roots the verse in David’s humble beginnings, reminding the reader that this king of Israel rose from a shepherd family in Bethlehem to become a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14). Such a reference underscores that God often calls those who appear unremarkable by worldly standards. Though David eventually led a unified Israel, winning battles against formidable foes, his prayers often conveyed both the personal struggles he faced and the yearnings of a nation. By highlighting David’s identity in this conclusion, Scripture shows how the completion of his prayers can symbolize a spiritual culmination—an assurance that God’s redemptive plan weaves together even from modest origins.
Moreover, ending these prayers can be seen as a transition that points forward to the promise of a future and greater king, fulfilled in Jesus Christ (Luke 1:32-33). David’s heartfelt intercessions and praises laid the foundation for the hope of a perfect reign that surpasses human limitations. In this sense, Psalm 72:20 acts as both a conclusion and a bridge, sealing the recorded petitions of a beloved king while pointing toward a lasting hope that would come centuries later in the Messiah, a descendant of David.