Psa 72:9-14 | NETfull | STEP | Before him the coastlands will bow down, and his enemies will lick the dust.

Psalms 72:9-14

9 Before him the coastlands ^{▼▼ Or “islands.” The term here refers metonymically to those people who dwell in these regions.} will bow down,
and his enemies will lick the dust. ^{▼▼ As they bow down before him, it will appear that his enemies are licking the dust.}
10 The kings of Tarshish ^{▼▼ Tarshish was a distant western port, the precise location of which is uncertain.} and the coastlands will offer gifts;
the kings of Sheba ^{▼▼ Sheba was located in Arabia.} and Seba ^{▼▼ Seba was located in Africa.} will bring tribute.
11 All kings will bow down to him;
all nations will serve him.
12 For he will rescue the needy ^{▼▼ The singular is representative. The typical needy individual here represents the entire group.} when they cry out for help,
and the oppressed ^{▼▼ The singular is representative. The typical oppressed individual here represents the entire group.} who have no defender.
13 He will take pity ^{▼▼ The prefixed verb form is best understood as a defectively written imperfect (see Deut 7:16).} on the poor and needy;
the lives of the needy he will save.
14 From harm and violence he will defend them; ^{▼▼ Or “redeem their lives.” The verb “redeem” casts the Lord in the role of a leader who protects members of his extended family in times of need and crisis (see Pss 19:14; 69:18).}
he will value their lives. ^{▼▼ Heb “their blood will be precious in his eyes.”}