Psa 72:20 | KingComments | STEP | That David’s prayers end here does not mean that no more prayers of David follow. We will still regularly hear prayers of David in the following psalms, such as Psalms 86 and 138-145. The point here is that with the coming of the realm of peace, all of David’s prayers will be fulfilled. David here calls himself “the son of Jesse” and not ‘the king of Israel’. By this he refers to his natural and humble origins. He takes a step back, as it were. It is not about him, but about the Messiah, the Son of David. The Lord Jesus is the Shoot that will spring from the stem of Jesse, and a Branch from His roots that will bear fruit ( ). Something similar to what is said here of David’s prayers is seen in “the last words of David” ( ). Neither are these his last words in a literal sense, for we hear more words from him afterward. His ‘last words’ are about the reign of the Messiah. In those last words, as here in this psalm, he calls himself “the son of Jesse” ( ). The issue for him, in fact, is “He who rules over men righteously, Who rules in the fear of God” ( ). With this Ruler he sinks into nothingness ( ), a place he is happy to take. Thus he makes way for the Messiah, the anointed King of God.

‏ Psalms 72:20

The Prayers of David Are Ended

That David’s prayers end here does not mean that no more prayers of David follow. We will still regularly hear prayers of David in the following psalms, such as Psalms 86 and 138-145. The point here is that with the coming of the realm of peace, all of David’s prayers will be fulfilled.

David here calls himself “the son of Jesse” and not ‘the king of Israel’. By this he refers to his natural and humble origins. He takes a step back, as it were. It is not about him, but about the Messiah, the Son of David. The Lord Jesus is the Shoot that will spring from the stem of Jesse, and a Branch from His roots that will bear fruit (Isa 11:1-2).

Something similar to what is said here of David’s prayers is seen in “the last words of David” (2Sam 23:1a). Neither are these his last words in a literal sense, for we hear more words from him afterward. His ‘last words’ are about the reign of the Messiah.

In those last words, as here in this psalm, he calls himself “the son of Jesse” (2Sam 23:1b). The issue for him, in fact, is “He who rules over men righteously, Who rules in the fear of God” (2Sam 23:3-4). With this Ruler he sinks into nothingness (2Sam 23:5a), a place he is happy to take. Thus he makes way for the Messiah, the anointed King of God.