Why read Psalm 72?
Psalm 72 addresses envy and confusion about the prosperity of unjust people. The psalmist acknowledges his struggle and finds a firmer perspective by drawing near to God rather than comparing himself with others.
You can read this psalm when its themes speak to your circumstances, or as part of your regular reading of the Psalter. This explanation draws on the text itself; the psalm is not reserved for one particular need.
The full text of Psalm 72 (27 verses), from the Tenth Kathisma of the Psalter. The opening words — "How good is God unto Israel..." — are also the traditional "name" of the psalm: our grandmothers did not say "psalm 72", but called it by name, after its first words.
The text of Psalm 72
1. How good is God unto Israel, unto the upright of heart!
2. But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well-nigh slipped.
3. For I was envious of the lawless, when I saw the prosperity of sinners.
4. For they have no pangs until their death, and they are firm when they strike.
5. They are not in the labours of men, neither are they scourged with mortals.
6. Therefore pride hath holden them fast; they are clothed with unrighteousness and violence.
7. From their wickedness comes injustice, and the thoughts of their heart come to light.
8. They have thought and spoken wickedly; they have uttered unrighteousness from on high.
9. They have set their mouth against heaven, and their tongue goeth through the earth.
10. Therefore my people follow them and find that they are full of good days,
11. And they have said: "How doth God know? Hath the Most High knowledge?
12. Behold, these are the sinners, and they prosper for ever; they have riches".
13. And I said: "Then have I cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands among the innocent,
14. For I was plagued all the day long, and chastened every morning".
15. If I had spoken thus, behold, I should have broken the covenant of the generation of Thy children.
16. And I pondered that I might know this, but it was a labour in mine eyes,
17. Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I the end of the wicked:
18. Truly Thou hast set them on deceitful paths, and cast them down when they were rising.
19. How suddenly are they desolate! They are brought to destruction; they are consumed through their own iniquity.
20. Like a dream of one that awaketh, O Lord, so in Thy city Thou shalt bring their image to nought.
21. Therefore my heart was glad, and my reins were comforted.
22. For I was foolish and knew not; I was as a beast before Thee. Yet I am continually with Thee.
23. Thou hast holden me by my right hand. With Thy counsel Thou hast guided me, and with glory hast Thou received me.
24. For what have I in heaven? And besides Thee, what have I desired upon the earth?
25. My heart and my flesh have failed, O God of my heart, and God is my portion for ever.
26. For behold, they that depart from Thee shall perish; Thou hast destroyed everyone who forsakes Thee.
27. But it is good for me to cleave unto God, to put my trust in the Lord, that I may declare all Thy praises in the gates of the daughter of Sion.
When Psalm 72 is read
- when envy of the wicked tempts you.
- At the end of each psalm, the tradition adds: "Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen."
Neighbouring psalms
The numbering follows the Orthodox Psalter (Septuagint). The same psalm may have a different number in other Bible editions.
