Jesus was to be prayed for continually

JESUS WAS TO BE PRAYED FOR CONTINUALLY
EDITED BY GLENN PEASE
Psalm72:15 15Long may he live!May gold from
Sheba be given him. May peopleever pray for him
and bless him all day long.
PRAY FOR JESUS NO. 717
A SERMON DELIVERED ON SUNDAY MORNING, OCTOBER 21, 1866,
BY C. H. SPURGEON, AT THE METROPOLITAN TABERNACLE,
NEWINGTON.
“Prayeralso shall be made for him continually.” Psalm72:15.
HAVING on one or two occasions made use of the phrase, “Praying for King
Jesus,” Ihave been somewhatsurprised to find that it was not understood,
and I have been rather astonishedat receiving severalnotes asking for an
explanation of what I supposed to be a matter of common knowledge. It
seemedto hearers and readers of my sermons as if the phrase must be a
mistake, as if it could not really be a correctthing to do, to pray for the Lord
Jesus Christ. And yet one moment’s reflectionwould have shownthem that
the expressionis scriptural, that you have it here if you have it nowhere else,
“Prayeralso shall be made for him continually.” Our Lord is undoubtedly
intended in this passage, forHe it is in whom all nations of the earth shall be
blessed, and whose name shall continue as long as the sun. It is quite easyto
see how we could pray for Christ if He were still on the earth. I suppose that
when He was a child His parents prayed for Him. They needed not to pray

some of the prayers which we offer for our offspring, for He was sinless, but I
can scarcelyimagine that a mother’s love could have been restrainedfrom
seeking the richest blessings for her heavenly child. And when He grew up,
and came among men, and His lovely characterbeganto be known, how could
His disciples do otherwise than pray that He might be speeded in His good
work? Canwe suppose them to have been loyal to the Masterif they did not
often join their prayer with His that His kingdom might come? Indeed, what
is the prayer which He has taught us, “Our Fatherwhich art in heaven,” but
in a certain sense, prayerfor Jesus? “Yourkingdom come, your will be done
on earth, even as it is in heaven.” It is Christ’s kingdom, and Christ’s will, as
well as the will of the Father, and the kingdom of the Father. That greatcry
which went up in the streets ofJerusalemwhen Jesus, in the days of His flesh,
rode through them in state was a prayer, “Blessedis he who comes in the
name of the LORD.” Did not the multitude thus implore blessing upon the
head of Him who came in JEHOVAH’s name? His disciples might have done
well if they had prayed for Him and with Him in Gethsemane, andit was a
part of His griefs to find that they could not watchwith Him one hour. It was
ordained that He should tread the winepress alone. I think we shall all see
that the same Spirit which made holy women minister to Him of their
substance, which made the daughters of Salem weepfor Him as He was led to
His crucifixion, must have prompted all His sincere followers to say Amen to
this prayer, “Father, glorify your Son,” and what was this but praying for
Him? But it will be said, “None of these things apply to Him now.” My
brethren, think a little, and you will see that we canstill pray for Jesus, and
you will remember that in our hymns we often do so, as for instance when we
sing, “Letall that dwell above the sky, And air, and earth, and seas,
Conspire to lift Your glories high, And speak Your endless praise.”
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For albeit that He is in one sense exaltedto the utmost height of glory, and
reigns victorious over His enemies, yet in another sense, He is here in the
midst of His chosenhost, striving with principalities and powers. “Lo, I am
with you always, evento the end of the world,” is the blessedassurance that
Jesus is our Captain in the greatfight of faith and is still present in the
battlefield. His greatcause is here, His enterprise and business are here below.
The work which He undertook to accomplishis not yet accomplishedin the
person of every one of His elect. His blood has been fully shed and His
atonement has been perfected, but those for whom the atonementwas made
are not yet all gatheredin. Many sheepHe has which are not yet of His fold.
We are therefore to pray for Him, that the goodwork which He has
undertaken may be prospered, and that one by one those whom His Father
gave Him may be brought to repentance and to eternal life. Brethren, the
Lord Jesus Christ describes Himself as being still persecutedand still
suffering. He said to Saul, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” He calls
His people Himself. They are His mystical body, and in praying for the church
we pray for Christ. He is the Head of the body and you cannot pray for the
body except you pray for the Head. We must put them all into one prayer. He
is still struggling with the hosts of darkness in His church, still striving for the
victory over sin in His people, and His people are waiting and longing for His
secondadvent, which shall fulfill their brightest hopes. We must still pray for
Him, not personally, but relatively, for His cause, for His kingdom, for His
Gospel, for His people, for His blood-bought ones who as yet are in the ruins
of the fall, for His secondcoming, and glorious reign. In this sense, I take it,
the text is meant that “prayer also shallbe made for him continually.” And
now, brethren and sisters, I want, keeping to the one thought of the text, to
show the light which gleams from it. I. And in the first place, if it is so, if we
do indeed pray for Christ continually, how this thought ELEVATES THE
TONE OF OUR PRAYERS! Think awhile—there are some prayers which
are terribly narrow, selfish, and contracted. The suppliant mentions nothing
but his own experience, or at the widest, the trials of his household. He goes
through his ownprivate interests and rehearses the sorrows ofhis ownlittle
sphere. He repeats them. He never seems to getbeyond them. At family

prayer in such a case, “Give us this day our daily bread” seems to be the
major petition, and “Forgive us our debts” is perhaps the only other. The man
prays like the blind horse at the mill, he travels round, and round, and round
continually the same circle of prayer. Now, if that brother could but get into
his mind once and for all that there were a greatmany others to pray for
beside himself and beside his family, if he could remember that Paul wills, in
the name of the Holy Spirit, that prayer should be made for all ranks and
conditions of men, if such a man could hear all the ministers of Christ saying,
“Brethren, pray for us,” and could remember that we are to pray for all the
household of faith, why that would tend to getthe man off his narrow
selfishness. Butif he could grasp the still higher thought that in coming to the
mercy seatwe may come for Christ as well as by Christ, and may have a
prayer to pray even for Him, who is the Apostle, and High Priestof our
profession, he would surely look upon prayer as being altogethera different
thing from what he had conceivedit to be. He would get out of that narrow
rut and begin to pray something more worthy of a child of God. Full
conviction of this thought would save us from selfishness in connectionwith
those prayers which have a wider circumference, but have their secretcenter
in ourselves. We do pray for the conversionof sinners, but I have been afraid
sometimes lestI have been praying for sinners to be converted under my own
ministry, with the view of being thought a useful preacher, and it is not
impossible that some of you in your classes,seeking to do good, may have
desired usefulness with the view of wearing it as a jewel to ornament
yourselves, or if you sought not honor for selfexactly, yet it may have been for
some honored person whom your affectionhas made to be part of yourselves.
Now I do not think I ought to desire conversions for the sake ofmy minister,
even though his ministry may be very dear to me, nor for the honor of my
Christian sister or Christian brother, though
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their work may be exceedinglyprecious in my sight. I must take care that I
supplicate for souls to be saved, and the kingdom of Christ to be advanced
with no sinister aim mingling with the prayer. Now if I pray it for Him, if I
pray that sinners may be convertedfor His glory, to show forth the power of
His Gospel, to let men see that the pleasure of the Lord is prospering in His
hands, then I shall ask for the mercies which I need with a better grace, and
be less likely to “have not, because” I“have askedamiss.” And do you not see
also how this would lift us beyond the narrow bounds of sectarianism? Imean
just this. There is a possibility of desiring the extensionof the Savior’s
kingdom only in one direction, namely, in that direction in which we are most
interested. It is right for a man to love that body of Christians with which he is
most intimately connected, and to love them best because he believes that they
are most faithful to the truth, but he should not desire their increase merely
for the prevalence of a party name. He must desire it for the increase of the
one greatuniversal church of Christ, and for the extensionof the truth
because it is the truth, not because it happens to be a truth which he has
received. I heard a speechthe other day by a beloved Wesleyanbrother, and
it did me much goodto hear it. He said, “If God is pleasedto scourge us
Wesleyans forour sins, and to withhold a large measure of success, Iwill then
pray that he would bless you Baptists, and make up through you what the
church may lose through us.” When I heard him say it and knew he meant it,
I could not but feel my soul knit to such a man, a man who loved the church of
Christ and loved it for Christ’s sake, forthe souls’sake, and for the truth’s
sake. This is just how all of us ought to feel, that we wish to see all the
churches multiply and increase, and wherevertruth is preached, wish to see
that truth prevail. Dearfriends, if we adopt the thought that we must pray
for conversions forJesu’s sake,we shall be uplifted from the realm of jealous
bickering. We shall say, “No, I do not desire conversions becauseofthat
church, or that man, or that body, nor even merely because ofthe whole
church itself, but I desire the extensionof the truth for Christ. I pray for
Him.” Your minds will be enlarged, your souls will be expanded, and you will
have come to the stature of men and womenin Christ Jesus. Moreover, I have
noticed, dear friends, that when we can ask for any deliverance as for Christ,
we may pray very earnestly againstan evil without any bitterness mingling
with the prayer. It is the duty of every Christian to pray againstAntichrist,

and as to what Antichrist is no sane man ought to raise a question. If it is not
the Poperyin the Church of Rome and in the Church of England there is
nothing in the world that can be calledby that name. If there were to be
issueda hue and cry for Antichrist, we should certainly take up those two
churches on suspicion, and they certainly would not be let loose again, for they
so exactly answerthe description. Poperyanywhere, whether it be Anglican
or Romish, is contrary to Christ’s Gospel, and is the Antichrist, and we ought
to pray againstit. It should be the daily prayer of every believerthat
Antichrist might be hurled like a millstone into the flood and sink to rise no
more. If we can pray againsterror for Christ, because it wounds Christ,
because it robs Christ of His glory, because it puts sacramentalefficacyin the
place of His atonement, and lifts a piece of bread into the place of the Savior,
and a few drops of waterinto the place of the Holy Ghost, and puts a mere
fallible man like ourselves up as the vicar of Christ on earth, if we pray
againstit, because it is againstHim, we shall love the persons though we hate
their errors. We shall love their souls though we loathe and detest their
dogmas, and so the breath of our prayers will be sweetened, becausewe turn
our faces towards Christwhen we pray. We are to pray for Him. Do you
know, dear brethren and sisters, it seems to me to make prayer so sweetto
think that we canpray for Him. The mercy seatis inestimably precious to us
when we canpray there for ourselves, whenwe canbring the case ofa dear
child or loving friend, it is a blessing for which to be perpetually grateful. Oh
the blessednessofprayer! Our hearts might break for want of a way of
expressing our love if we had not this method of telling it out before the mercy
seaton the behalf of those dear to us. But beloved, to think that I may pray for
Christ, that I may pray for Him who prayed for me, and plead on His behalf
who with sighs and tears pleaded on the behalf of poor helpless me! It ought to
be a very greatcomfort to some of you who cannotdo much else beside pray
for Jesus.
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I daresayyou have thought, “I wish I could preachfor Christ,” it is a very
laudable wish. Covetearnestlythe best gifts, but if you feel that you cannot
speak to edification, and are thus debarred from that honorable exercise, you
must seek anothermode of service. Then you have said, “I wish I could give to
Christ’s cause. If He would make me His steward, if He would trust me with
money, how willingly would I consecrate itto Him!” But you have no money
and you are perhaps so poor you cannot do anything in that direction, though
you would do very much if you could. Now, whata mercy it is that there is
this which you can do. You can pray for Christ, you cancome to the treasury
and drop in your prayers, and if they are all you have, they will be like the
widow’s two mites, which were not precious to Christ because they were mites
nor because she was a widow, but because they were all her living. Ah! if your
prayers are all you cangive God, and all your living, drop them into the
church’s treasury, and say, “Well, I cannot do much else, but my daily
constantprayer shall go up that the Lord would prosperthe Gospelof His
dear Son, and make Him to rule and govern the wide world over.” Dear
friends, here is room for questioning ourselves. Have you and I been
neglectfulin this form of prayer? If we have, I am persuaded that it will casta
flatness and a stalenessoverall our devotionalexercises. Ifyou have not
prayed for Christ, I am afraid, dear friend, that much of your own prayer will
have been displeasing to God. Remember that the same Christ who tells us to
say, “Give us this day our daily bread,” had first given us this petition,
“Hallowedbe your name; your kingdom come;your will be done on earth as
it is in heaven.” Do not let your prayers be all about your own sins, your own
wants, your own imperfections, your own trials, but let them climb the starry
ladder and get up to Christ Himself, and then, as you draw near to the blood-
sprinkled mercy seat, offer this prayer continually, “Lord, extend the
kingdom of Your dear Son.” Such a petition, fervently presented, will tend to
elevate the spirit and tenor of our prayers. II. In the secondplace, praying for
Christ will suggestto us MANY THEMES OF PRAYER. To pray for Christ
is a very large topic, for it will bring before us something fresh for every day
in the week. I must plead for Christ’s cause on earth according to its present
condition and circumstances. Consequently, I shall need to keepmy eyes open

to see in what plight the kingdom of Christ is. As a generallooks along the
whole line of battle, and sends reinforcements where the line appears to be
most weak, so will the true Christian who prays for Christ, look along the line
of the church’s work and pray most for that which is in the worststate,
offering up his prayers for Christ according as Christ’s cause seemsto need
those prayers. There are some topics which constantly claim our care, you
may always pray for them. One is that Christ may have always enough
witnesses forthe truth on earth. Your Lord has said, “Pray you the Lord of
the harvest, that he would send forth laborers into his harvest.” It is a prayer
much forgotten, but it needs to be revived in the church before we shall see
much revival. There are many churches now that cannotfind pastors. In some
districts, especiallyin America, there are churches by the score without
ministers, and apparently they must remain so for years to come. There is a
generalcomplaint throughout all denominations of a shortage ofearnestfirst-
class men who shall devote themselves to the ministry, and this shortage must
be and will increase until the church takes it up and prays that He who
ascendedup on high and receivedgifts for men, would be pleasedto give her
againher teachers and ministers, and her evangelists, eachaccording to his
proper station. We must pray for men of God, and you need never be afraid
that the prayer will be needless in your lifetime, for if we had ten times as
many witnesses forChrist, the world wants them. Look at China with its
millions, India with its teeming masses, andeven our colonies wide and far-
spread with a fearful lack of preachers of the Word. There are large
companies of men who speak our own language and who left our own shores,
who, for lack of teachers, are almostsubsiding into heathendom, and will
perish for lack of knowledge unless there is a fresh host raisedup of preachers
of the cross ofChrist. Pray, then, dear friends, that God would find out and
equip men to be heralds of peace to the people, and help those of us who labor
even beyond
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our strength, to aid young men whom God has calledto His work to get the
knowledge whichtheir office requires. Another prayer may always go with it,
namely, pray for those who are alreadyin the field. “Brethren, pray for us,”
said the apostle. If you have nothing to pray for, for yourselves, here stands
one before you who needs all your prayers and feels that he needs them, and
humbly with his whole heart begs you to let him live in your private devotions.
Brethren, we are rich when you enrich us with your supplications, we are
strong when you strengthen us with your prayers. A few loving tears shed for
us in private will be of more value to us than anything else you can possibly
bestow upon us. Some of my brethren are fainting from want of success,
hundreds of them are growing cold because ofthe coldness ofthe church
members who surround them. Some of them are struggling with poverty— all
of us, alas!are too weak for the work we have engagedin, pray for us. You
are praying for Christ, and if we be His servants, if He has truly sentus, you
pray for the Master’s business when you pray that the servants may do that
business well. You pray for the Ownerof the vineyard when you ask that the
trimmers of the vines may know how to execute their tasks. And when these
two prayers have passedfrom your hearts to your lips, there is another—pray
that God would open doors of utterance to us among the people. Ask that God
would send the spirit of hearing throughout this city to begin with, and then
throughout all England. It is poor gain that you have the preachers unless the
people will listen, the trumpet sounds in vain if men plug up their ears. God
can in a moment, as we know by past experience, influence people to say,
“Come and let us go up to the house of the Lord.” I believe that through the
last visitation of the cholera there is a spirit of hearing in London such as has
not been for many years. Thank God for this. Ask that a desire to hear may be
continued and increased. Intercede with the greatLord of all that in every
country the hearing ear may be bestowed, that God’s faithful servants may be
cheerfully received, and be enabled to accomplishtheir errand with a
hundred-fold success. Butmy brethren, I have only openedthe bag, I have
only commencedthe list of matters for which you could pray if you would
really pray for Christ. I would ask you then to pray especiallyfor the
conversionof many souls. This is Christ’s delight, His love, His heart’s joy.

You were told lastSunday morning that there was “joy in heaven over one
sinner who repents.” The angels sing, but Christ is the choirmasterthere. He
is the chief musician, for He has the greatestjoy. It is His joy, His heaven to
see sinners saved. Pray, pray for Him then. You are praying for the Shepherd
when you pray for the lost sheep. You are praying for the King when you ask
that the lost jewels of His crown may be found and set therein. Oh that we
loved souls as Christ loves them, then we would hunger and thirst after their
salvation!Oh for the tender heart of the weeping Savior, that no soul might go
down to hell unsprinkled with our tears! Brethren, pray for those who are
saved, or who make a professionof it, that they may be kept from falling into
sin. Brethren, you are in an eminent degree praying for Christ when you offer
such an intercession, for He is crucified afresh when professors fall. If I had
an offer now of losing this right arm or having to endure in this church some
such falls as we have had to mourn over, and as the world has seenof late
among high professors,I do feel I cansay without hypocrisy, I would choose
to be cut limb from limb soonerthan see those whom I have loved and
honored fall from the faith. Forit is a bitter thing to us who are ministers of
Christ. It is our curse and plague. It costs us sleeplessnights and miserable
days when we hear of those who apparently did run well but turn back to the
world, who play the Judas (it were bad enough if they played the Peter)and
become the devil’s servants, though once they wore the uniform of Christ.
Pray for professors thatthey fall not, and as you hope to be kept yourselves, I
charge you pray for every tempted soul that his faith fail him not in the trying
hour. Forgetnot to pray for the church of God that it may be knit togetherin
one. Do not ask that it may be made uniform, that is neither desirable nor
probable, but pray that all Christians may be one as the
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Father is one with the Son, that is, one in spirit, so that we, divided as we
always shall be as to our thoughts upon many points, may be one in the hope

that animates us, in the spirit that actuates us, one in the life of God that
pulsates in our souls. Pray that the churches may be knit togetherin holy love,
and may strive togetherfor nothing but the advancementof the faith of
Christ. Nor have I done. When you have thus prayed for Christ, and I am
sure it is all for Christ if you so pray—then ask that the kingdoms of this
world may become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ. Let no ideas
of doctrine check you in such a prayer. You are bound to pray it. The example
of prophets and of apostles urges you forward, your allegiance to King Jesus
should constrainyou to it. You believe that He will come, but believe also the
truth, which is equally certain, that He shall have dominion from sea to sea
and from the river even to the ends of the earth. Though you may not be able
to reconcile that universal reign with the other truth of His coming as a thief
in the night, do not try to reconcile it. Believe it because you find it in the Bible
and believing it, pray that you may see it. Do not indulge the thought that
Christ is not to reign in China, that He is not to be King where the gods of the
heathens rule. My brethren, He is to be so. Do not think He has only suffered
upon Calvary to gather out a few from among men, the day is coming when
He shall gatherout a multitude that no man can number who shall be His in
the day of His appearing. Pray for this. pray for the all-conquering progress
of the Gospelof king Jesus. Do not restrictyour thoughts and limit your
desires. Be ambitious for Christ. Nothing but universal monarchy ought to
content you, as only it will content the Master. The little stone cut out of the
mountain without hands must fill the whole earth, and every other image,
though it is an image of gold or iron, shall be broken in pieces before the
dominion of the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ. Pray for it, my brethren,
pray for it day and night, and let the verse of Dr. Watts be true of you,
“ForHim shall endless prayer be made, And praises throng to crownHis
head.”
Thus I have tried to show you that this doctrine of praying for Christ instructs
us in a variety of topics. I should againlike to ask the question, whether you

really have been up to the mark in this, whether there has not been a good
deal of negligence upon many of these points? I am afraid I shall have to
confess negligence myself, and perhaps most of you will, but do not let us
remain satisfiedwith confession. Let us ask grace that our prayers henceforth
shall be larger, wider, broader, more heavenly, more generous, more like the
thoughts of the Infinite Mind, while we chiefly and above all things remember
the work, and interest, and cause of Christ. As He remembers us, so let us
remember Him. III. Thirdly, it appears to me that if we were to look upon
our prayers as being in a greatmeasure prayers for Christ, this would tend to
inspire us with PECULIAR EARNESTNESS. Imust pray for Christ or else I
am not consistentwith my profession. I profess to be His servant, what, and
not ask for the successofmy Master? I avow myself to be His disciple—a
disciple, and not anxious that the truths which I receive from my Teacher
should win their way! I call myself His friend. He calls me so in return a
friend, and not show myself friendly enough to put up a word of prayer for
Him! He has said I am His brother, a brother who does not pray for his
brother is most unbrotherly. Moreover, He has deigned to call the collective
body of His people His spouse—a spouse who does not pray for her husband is
most unwifely. We must not so act, if we are Christians in deed and in truth.
One of the first marks of Christians was that they met togetherand sang
hymns in the honor of one calledChristus, and another mark is that they met
togetherand prayed for the extensionof the kingdom of one whom they called
Jesus. Ihave a secondreasonforso praying, namely, that gratitude dictates
me to pray. Oh, what has Jesus done for me! When I am praying for His
church I am apt to think of her faults, perhaps of her unkindness to me, and
my prayer lacks force. But when I pray for Christ, so good, so tender, so self
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denying, laying down His life for His sheep, bleeding out that life for me, for
me a sinner, and once His enemy, how can I but pray for Him? Pray for You,

Jesus? This is but a poor return for all Your groans and bloody sweat, and
agonyfor me. I think I shall love prayer more than I have ever done, if I am
able to recollectthat I can speak a word in God’s earfor Him whose blood
speaks forme. It will be a delightful satisfactionforme in my times of
communion with my Fatherwho is in heaven to say to Him, “and my Father,
there is One whom You love, who died on my behalf, though I deservedit not,
and I pray You glorify Him, increase His kingdom, help me to honor Him,
cause human hearts to feelHis power, give Him dominion over tens of
thousands of the sons of men.” Does it not, dear friend, quicken the pulse of
your prayer? Do you not feelas if you cannotpray at a sluggishrate when you
pray for Jesus?I have heard some people say, “I could not speak upon any
subject but one,” and that one subject has been some kind friend who helped
them in time of trouble. “Oh,” they say, “I could speak abouthim, that is a
topic I could always find words upon.” Someone to whom you are grateful
holds a key with which to unloose your tongue. And if you cannot pray for
anything else, surely you can, you must, you shall pray for the Lord Jesus. As
both our consistencyandour gratitude will thus quicken us to prayer if we
pray for Christ, surely our love to Him will tend to do the same. Loved of
Christ from before all worlds, we love Him in return. We never pray more
fervently, I suppose, than for those whom we love best. He who does not love
sinners cannotpray aright for them. When we love sinners, then the prayer is
fervent, and when we love Jesus, thenwill the prayer be earnest. Love is the
flaming torch to kindle the pile of our devotions. Brethren, we have
something more than love to Christ. We are, if we are true believers, one with
Him, members of His body. All that concerns Him concerns us, not because
we are partners merely, but because we are part and parcelof Himself. There
is but one Christ, and His church is one with Him. We, members of His
church, are eachone in living union with Him. No man, says Paul, ever yet
hated his own flesh. Now, if I, professing to be a Christian, were to neglect
Christ, I should be neglecting myself, since He takes me into union with
Himself. Do I ask that His kingdom may come? It is a kingdom in which I am
to reign. Do I ask that His glory may be increased? It is a glory of which I am
to be a partaker. Do I crave that His joy may be full? That joy is to be in me.
How can I but pray, when I am one with the Saviorfor whom I put up my
supplications? I am afraid I cannot put what I mean into words which carry

it home to you, but to my own mind it is like a wafer made with honey, which
I can roll under my tongue and enjoy in its sweetness, to think that I have the
possibility of pleading for Jesus. Ifeel convinced that it has a tendency to blow
up the flame of prayer. I trust that the man who traveled slowlybefore will all
at once put on his speedwhen he comes to pray for Christ Jesus. IV. Very
briefly, in the fourth place. If I can look at my prayers in the light which has
been mentioned, it will tend very much to give me SPECIAL
ENCOURAGEMENTin offering them at the mercy seat. He who has to
present a petition will go with greatconfidence when he feels that the person
for whom he makes intercessionis exceedinglywell worthy. Brethren, if I
pray for a guilty sinner I may have confidence, but when I pray for such a one
as the Lord Jesus, my confidence can have no bounds set to it. Observe what
He is. He is in constantfavor with God. “This is my beloved Son, in whom I
am wellpleased.” Fromthe excellence ofHis characterand the dignity of His
person, He deserves to be the beloved of His Father, and He is such. He is
God’s Well-Beloved. It is easywork, then, to plead for Him. Now, if I pray for
my minister, for the church, for the conversionof sinners, I may feel a little
difficulty, but when I canmake sure that I am praying for these for Christ’s
sake and with a view to His honor, and am thus virtually praying for Christ,
why then, if enabled by the Holy Spirit, it becomes easy
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to pray because I know I must succeedwhenI am asking honor for Him
whom the King delights to honor. Brethren, when I think upon the merits of
Christ in the matter of His mediatorial sufferings, how it encouragesme to
pray. I ask that He may be crownedwho was obedient to death, even the
death of the cross. Canthis be denied? Is not the crown well-earned? Canthe
reward be withheld? I ask that the piercedhands may be filled with the
scepter, and that the feetonce nailed to the cross may be planted upon earth’s
dominions as upon a footstool. Canit be refused? Am I not asking that which

His merit deserves, whichHis triumph claims and wins? In this case I have
something more to plead, I have God’s promise. It is written, “He shall see his
seed;he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosperin
his hands.” It is easywork to pray when we are grounded and bottomed, as to
our desires, upon God’s ownpromise. How can He who gave the word refuse
to keepit? Immutable veracitycannot demean itself by a lie, and eternal
faithfulness cannot degrade itself by neglect. Godmust bless His Son, His
covenantbinds Him to it. That which the Spirit prompts us to ask for Jesus is
that which God decrees to give Him. Brethren, whenever you are praying for
the kingdom of Christ, let your eyes behold the dawning of the blessedday,
which draws near, when the Crucified shall receive His coronationin the
place where men rejectedHim. The cause ofChrist is downtrodden now, it
shall not be so forever. We have been for centuries like soldiers who keepthe
field againsta foe inveterate and mighty. We have been wearily waiting in the
trenches. We have been mournfully standing behind the bulwarks, but the day
is coming when the Mastershallsay to us what the Hebrew prophet said to
Israel’s tribes at the Red Sea, “Forward, forward,” and then we will be no
longermerely keeping the ground but winning province after province for
King Jesus. No longerstoring our arrows in our quivers that they may be
ready for the onslaught, but fitting them to the string and sending them like a
mighty shower, we shall march to triumph and to universal victory. Courage,
you who prayerfully work and toil for Christ with successofthe very smallest
kind, it shall not be so always. Bettertimes are before you. Your eyes cannot
see the blissful future. Borrow the telescope offaith, wipe the misty breath of
your doubts from the glass, look through it and see the coming glory.
Messiah’s kingdomcomes, the trumpet shall soonsound, peace shallbe
proclaimed. His saints shall reign in joy. Before long the millennial era shall
begin, and Jesus shallhave His own. Behold Him reigning upon the throne of
His father David. The kings of the Isles bring him presents, Sheba and Seba
offer Him their gifts. It must be so, brethren, Christ has not died merely to
win this little island and a few other nations, He has died to redeem this whole
round world as a jewelwhich He will wearin His crown, and He shall have it
yet. I say the whole round world shall yet shine like a pearl in His diadem. He
must, He shall reign over all nations till every enemy is put under foot. The
sails that whiten every sea shallbear His messengersto the islands of the

South, the caravans that cross the desert shall conveyHis ambassadors to
proclaim in the far-off oasis oramong the wandering Bedouins His sacred
name. The gates ofbrass which deny Him entrance, must be broken. The bars
of iron that shut out His heralds from any land must be snapped. Hoary
systems of superstition must crumble, and the moles and bats shall yet be the
sole companions of the gods of heathendom. Rejoice,rejoice, the cause for
which you plead is one which heavenordains to bless. Everlasting decrees
stand like lions to guard the throne of Christ. The mighty arm of the Most
High is made bare to avenge His own elect. High shall the banner of the cross
be lifted. Soonshall the shout of victory make heaven’s loftiest arches ring,
and hell itself shall tremble at the dreaded sound, for the King immortal,
eternal, invisible, must reign and put down all dominion and power, and then
shall He give the kingdom to God, even the Father. V. In closing, the last
thought which occurred to me was this, when we put our prayer in such a
light that we pray for Christ it DEMANDS CONSISTENT ACTION.
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I cannot pray for Christ and then rise from my knees, andgo and sin against
the very kingdom which I hope to spread. I ask you what is it but damnable
hypocrisy for a man to say, “Your kingdom come,” and then to go out and by
inconsistentconduct, pull down the walls of Zion? What shall I say of that
professorwhose daily life in ordinary business is a continual bespattering the
Gospelwith mud, and yet he says, “Your kingdom come”? Awaywith the
hypocritical lips which can honor Christ in public, when the hands, the true
tokenof the heart, will afterwards privately pluck down the cross. Ah, my
hearers, how many professors do this! How many that will even give and
contribute liberally will afterwards, in the way in which they get their money
or seek to get it, or in the conduct of their daily business or in their families,
bring infinitely more discredit upon religion than their contributions can ever
bring honor to the cross. If you pray for Christ, live like He lived. If you

profess to desire His prosperity, do not, I pray you, cause Him to be wounded
in the house of His friends. But further, this is not enough. If I really pray for
Christ I must take care to be on my watchto know what to pray for, so as to
make my prayer a sensible prayer, a prayer of the understanding. Some
members of the church do not know what the church wants at the present
moment. They could not plead for Sabbath-schools, forthey never take the
trouble to inquire into their presentcondition. Could some of you pray for
our own schoolas it should be prayed for? You could pray a sort of general
hit-or-miss prayer, but you do not know whether the Sunday schoolis well
attended, you do not know whether the teachers are godly young men and
women, and knit togetherin love, or whether they are all divided and split
into factions. We ought to know as church members, it seems to me,
something about all the agencies, but all about some one agencyin which we
take particular concern. And we should get to be acquainted with the
condition of the church of which we are members, and also as far as our
means will allow us we should be acquainted with the condition of the church
of God at large. We should take interest in it, feeling that it is our own
concern, and then when we pray we should pray with better spirit,
understanding what we are asking for. Then, friends, if we did this, we are
not afraid but what the last thing would be well attended to, namely, that we
should take care that we add to our prayers our continual personalservice.
The old fable of the priest, who would not give the man a farthing, but would
give him his prayers, is very like many professors.Theypray for the kingdom,
but what are they doing? Many young men who are quietly at home in
England ought to be missionaries abroad. Many others who are following
their calling successfullyought to have devoted themselves to the ministry.
And there are many Christian men who are making money for themselves
who have gotenough and ought to shut up shop for themselves and keepshop
for Christ—they ought to make money for Christ with as much earnestnessas
I would preach the Gospelfor Christ. I have no doubt that many would thus
serve the Masterfar more eminently than do half the professedpreachers.
Oh, if you are not doing something for Jesus letyour closets chide you, let
your hymns, which you have been singing about His coming and His triumph,
let them provoke you. But oh, my brethren, instead of appealing to all these
considerations, Ishall put it upon this footing. By Him who loved you, if

indeed He loved you, by Him who died for you, if indeed you have a share in
His passion, by Him who lives for you, if indeed you have been quickened
togetherwith Him, by Him who pleads for you this day before the eternal
throne, if indeed your names are on His breastplate, I do charge you live to
Jesus. Live now to Him. Live while you live, live with all the possible energy
of life. Let the love of Christ be an all-consuming passionwith you! Find out
some way in which to increase His kingdom. Ah! my hearers, I bless God for
you because the most of you are serving Him. I rejoice in you. You are the
jewels of my crown of rejoicing, because youdo serve the Master. Many of
you live even apostolic lives in your eagerness to spreadabroad the truth. But
alas!some of you I might speak of “evenweeping,” because youare
indifferent and almostdead to the blessedpowerof love within the soul.
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May God revive us all! May the Holy Ghostconstrain us to more consecrated
living! I am in hopes that the prayer meetings held every morning and evening
will be the means of bringing the church into a warm-hearted, happy, holy,
earneststate, and that there will not be one left among us whose soulshall
have been so dead as never to himself have said, “This is my work. Christ is
my king, and now I will live for Him and pray for Him, in the hope that I may
at last die and be with Him where He is, and behold His glory, the glory which
His Fathergave Him, and be one with Him in heavenforever and ever.”
PORTION OF SCRIPTUREREAD BEFORESERMONPSALM 72. PSALM
118:21-29.

Takenfrom The C. H. Spurgeon Collection, Version1.0, Ages Software. Only
necessarychanges have beenmade, such as correcting spelling errors, some
punctuation usage, capitalizationof deity pronouns, and minimal updating of
a few archaic words. The content is unabridged. Additional Bible-based
resources are available at www.spurgeongems.org.
BIBLEHUB RESOURCES
Christ On The Throne
Psalm72:15
W. Forsyth
If it may be said of the twenty-secondpsalm that it lets us see Christ on the
cross, it may be said of this that it shows us Christ on the throne. Instead of
humiliation, there is exaltation; insteadof the mockeryof "the purple robe,"
there is the homage of angels;insteadof the wickedcries of envious priests
and a deluded people, "Crucify him!" there is the joyful song of the redeemed,
"Alleluia, for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth!" The saints on earth, as well
as the saints in heaven, are partakers of this joy; they know whom they have
believed, and they have had experience of his benign and righteous rule. We
learn here -
I. THAT WHERE CHRIST REIGNS THERE IS LIFE. He is the Source and
the Giver of life. Where the waters that Ezekielsaw came, there was life; and
so where the gospelof Christ comes, there is life. The mind that before was
dark has the life of truth; the consciencethat before was dormant has the life
of righteousness;the heart that before was dead in sins is quickened to the

new life of love and holiness. Christ's rule ever tends to the wellbeing of his
people.
II. THAT WHERE THERE IS LIFE THERE WILL BE PRAYER. The first
sign of infant life is breathing; and the first sign of the soul's life is the
breathing of prayer to God. The life within expresses itselfin accordancewith
its nature and needs. The mind that has light cries for more light; the
conscience, awakenedto a sense of sin, seeksdeliverance;the heart that has
been touched with the love of Godyearns for more love and nearer fellowship.
So it was with Paul. "Behold, he prayeth!" and so onward, through all the
toils and struggles ofhis noble life, he continued instant in prayer.
III. THAT WHERE THERE IS PRAYER THE SUPREME DESIREWILL
BE THE GLORY OF CHRIST. Self will be lost in love. Concernabout
ourselves will be merged in concernfor the glory of Christ our Lord. "Prayer
shall be made for him."
1. Forhis cause. Whatinterests him will interest us; what lies nearesthis
heart will be nearestours. There is unity of life.
2. Forhis people. He identifies himself with them. He regards what is done to
them as done to himself. When "prayer was made of the Church" for Peter,
they were, in a sense, making prayer for Christ. Our sympathies should be as
broad as the sympathies of Christ.
3. Forhis secondcoming. His first coming was the hope of Israel;his second
coming is the hope of the Church of the gospel(Revelation22:20;Titus 2:13).
"Prayerfor Christ" increases ourlove to him, binds us in closerunion with
the brethren, and enables us to transmit the blessedhope to future
generations. Think of the prayers made every Lord's day! What cause for
thankfulness and joy! Yea, "daily" prayer shall be made till prayer is
consummated in praise. - W.F.

Biblical Illustrator
And He shall live, and to Him shall be given of the gold of Sheba.
Psalm72:15
The greatnessofthe Redeemer's life
J. H. Hill.
I. THE GREATNESS OF HIS LIFE IS SEEN IN THE MAGNITUDE OF ITS
INFLUENCE.
1. It is co-extensive with creation. Christ is to be the centre of universal
attraction. Analogy, the greatness ofthe agenciesemployed, and the Word of
God warrant the conclusion.
2. It is an abiding influence. "His name shall endure," etc. Men, emperors,
come and go like baubles upon the stream;but Christ lives for ever! Time
destroys not His power, but unfolds it. "He reigneth king for ever."
3. It is a blissful influence. "And men shall be blessedin Him." A worm may
make many miserable;but it requires a God-like nature to enhance the
happiness of one soul. The life of Christ fills creationwith blessedness. This
greatBenefactordoes this by destroying the sources ofmisery, and by calling
into exercise everyfountain of bliss in the soul.

4. It is reflectively glorious. "Dailyshall He be praised." He is the grand
objectof universal admiration and love.
II. THE GREATNESSOF HIS LIFE IS DEVELOPED THROUGHMEANS.
What are the means?
1. Truth. The Gospelcontains the greatbiography of Jesus, and this is .the
mighty instrumentality. "I am not ashamedof the Gospelof Christ," etc.
2. Wealth. "To Him shall be given of the gold of Sheba." Ye men of wealth,
remember that every piece of gold and silver ought to appear to you as if
stamped with the image of the Son of God.
3. Prayer.
III. THE GREATNESSOF HIS LIFE IS EXPERIENCEDIN THE
HEAVENWARD DIRECTION IT GIVES MANKIND. He makes men pray
to and praise Him. "And daily shall He be praised."
1. Such persons owe their existence to Christ. "We are His workmanship."
2. Such persons are the finest specimens of human excellence. The highest
types of characterhave always beenfound in men of earnestprayer.
Abraham, Noah, Job, Daniel, Paul, and Christ all prayed.
3. Such men alone fully give scope to their faculties to honour Him.
IV. THE GREATNESSOF HIS LIFE IS SEEN IN THE REALIZATION
THROUGH ETERNITYOF HIS WORK ON EARTH.
1. He will live in all that relates to man on earth; in such things as institutions,
literature, etc. His name will be emblazoned upon the page of every new work,
and His life will be the standard of all institutions.
2. He will live in the affectionate remembrance of a redeemed people.
3. He will live as the expressionof all excellence — love, benevolence, truth,
justice, authority.
4. He will live as the centre of all attraction to the glorified Church.

(J. H. Hill.)
Messiah's predictedlife
D. Young, D. D.
We may view the text in a threefold aspect.
1. As a prophecy of the endless life to which our Saviour would be raised. "He
shall live." As "the high priest of our profession," He was to die. This was the
grand purpose of His mission; for it was by dying that He was to "finish the
work given Him to do." But having died, and thereby "put awaysin," and
"abolisheddeath," He would live again, Himself the most satisfying evidence,
and the most glorious example, of "the life and immortality He has brought to
light by the Gospel."
2. As a prophecy of the blessedness to which our Saviourwould be exalted.
"He shall live." To live in the more common acceptationofit in Scripture, is
to enjoy existence, to partake of true felicity, to be blessed. "Your heart shall
live for ever" (Psalm 22:26); that is, shall be eternally happy. So, "your heart
shall live that seek God" (Psalm69:32);and, "we live, if ye stand fast in the
Lord" (1 Thessalonians 3:8). In this sense the text is to be understood.
Messiah"shalllive": as He would be raised from the dead to die no more, so
He would be exalted to boundless and endless blessedness.
3. As a prophecy of the prosperity and the perpetuity of our Saviour's reign.
"He shall live;" and in what character? As Zion's King. He would not only be
raisedto an endless life, and exalted to the highest blessedness;but as the
King of the Church, His reign would be prosperous and perpetual. The same
idea is expressedin parallel prophecies (Isaiah9:6, 7; Jeremiah23:5, 6).
(D. Young, D. D.)
Prayer also shallbe made for Him continually; and daily shall He be praised.
Prayer for Christ

J. Harris, D. D.
I. THE TEXT IS A PREDICTION;reminding us, in the first place, that the
Bible is distinguished from every other book, professedlyDivine, by the
grandeur and the authoritative tone of its promises, and by the multitude and
splendour of its predictions. Human philosophy may be said to have had three
creeds;which might not improperly be distinguished as the creedof the past,
of the present, and of the future. The books ofPaganantiquity sang only of
the golden-agedpasta — of scenesofpastoralsimplicity and happiness never
to return; while, for the future, they could say nothing — their burden was
despair. Then came the creed of the present. As early antiquity faded from
view, man became prepared for the philosophy of Epicurus — for the
optimism which professesto be satisfiedwith things as they are; and which,
instead of aiming at human improvement, acts on the animal maxim, "Let us
eat and drink, for to-morrow we die." But to this has now generallysucceeded
the creedof the future — a philosophical belief in the perfectibility of the
species — a persuasionthat man is, at length, on the high road to perfection.
Now, all these voices are but perversions of the greattruths of the Bible as to
the past, the present, and the glorious future. The Bible is the true prophet of
hope.
II. THE MEANS BY WHICH THIS PREDICTIONIS TO BE FULFILLED.
It is by prayer. Philosophy may object, but we rely on it as indispensable in
the order of means. For prayer is the condition on which God puts forth His
power. For with even more clearness thanthe law of the Divine
unchangeablenessis revealed, the law that prayer prevails with God is
revealedlikewise.
III. But not only does the text predict a change, and representprayer as a
means of realizing that change;IT DESCRIBESTHAT PRAYER AS
PARTAKING OF A SPECIFIC CHARACTER — as prayer for Christ;
"prayer also shall be made for him continually."
IV. THE WISDOM AND GRACE OF THIS ARRANGEMENT. For —
1. It keeps us in our proper place, at the feetof God.

2. It gives us opportunity of afreshavowing our adorationof the scheme of
redemption by Christ.
3. It affords the strongestassuranceofsuccessin prayer.
4. It enables all to show their love to Christ by aiding in the advancementof
His Kingdom.
V. But let us regard THE ESPECIALOBJECT OF OUR PRAYER in the
behalf of Christ: what are we to pray for? Our prayers cannot be necessary
for Him, in the same sense in which they are necessaryfor ourselves, and for
eachother. He knows no want, for all things are given into His hands. The
prayer, then, that is to be made for Him is not to be made for Him personally,
but relatively — on accountof His relationto other beings — His relation to
us. But not only is prayer to be made for the reign of Christ — the text
predicts its continuity, or uninterruptedness; "prayer also shall be made for
Him continually." Under the former dispensation, the fire which burnt upon
the goldenaltar was never allowedto go out — and the ardent desire of the
pious Israelites for the coming of Christ glowedcontinually on the altar of
their hearts — it never went out. Observe, again, that prayer for Christ is to
be offered conjointly with other things — "prayer also." In all conquered
lands, the subjection of the people was marked by two things — their money
was stamped with the name of the conqueror, and they were obliged to pray
for him in their public worship. In allusion to this fact, it is here saidof the
conquering Saviour — "To Him shall be given of the gold of Sheba, prayer
also shall be made for Him continually." The gold of Sheba — a portion of
our worldly substance is to be devoted to Him, in connectionwith our prayers.
For to pray in His behalf, without accompanying the act with this proof of our
sincerity, would be as profane as to use all other kind of means except prayer
would be impious. How many and how powerful the motives, then, which
should induce us to pray for the reign of Christ! A sense of consistency
demands it. A principle of benevolence to man requires it. A principle of
gratitude requires it. He has prayed for us with strong crying and tears, or we
should not, at this moment, be in a condition to pray for ourselves. He gave
Himself for us. His priestly robes are never laid aside. And shall we intermit
our prayers for Him? Let a sense ofour obligation induce us to pray for Him.

(J. Harris, D. D.)
Prayer for Christ
W. Jay.
Is prayer, then, necessaryfor Him? Is He not above the reachof danger, pain,
want? Has He not all power? Therefore, ourprayer is not to be for Him
personally but relatively, and we pray for Him when we pray for His
ministers, His ordinances, His Gospel. Whatshould we pray for on His
behalf? We are to remember these four things.
I. THE DEGREE OF THE CHURCH'S RESOURCES:that there may be
sufficiency of fit instruments raised up.
II. THE FREEDOMOF ITS ADMINISTRATION — that all hindrances may
be put out of the way.
III. THE DIFFUSION OF ITS PRINCIPLES — that they may spread
everywhere.
IV. THE INCREASE OF ITS GLORY — that it may abound in all spiritual
excellence. Whatreasons there are for such prayer: how certain it is to be
heard if we be sincere in asking. Let our conduct prove this.
(W. Jay.)
Praying for Jesus
T. Spurgeon.
We are, thank God, accustomedto praying to Jesus;we approach His
footstoolgladly, and believingly, and we are never sentempty away. We also
pray through Jesus, appending His precious name to eachpetition presented
to the Father. This it is that gives them worth. We cannot fail to recollect that
He is now engagedin praying for us. It is perhaps somewhatofa novelty to
call to mind the factthat we are privileged, nay, virtually enjoined, to pray for

Him. It is a reversalof the acceptedorderof things, a delightful change of
programme. It behoves us to be as continual in our prayer for Jesus as is our
Mediatorupon the throne in His pleading on our behalf.
I. WHAT SHOULD BE THE BURDEN OF OUR PRAYER? We do not want
in any case to utter vain words when our knees are bent before the throne, but
when we are praying for Jesus we must exercise very specialcare. We must
endeavour to discoverwhat Christ desires. We must pray intelligently,
reverently, lovingly, and to purpose. How may this be done? The best wayto
plead intelligently for Christ is to remember the promises that are given
concerning Him. Get hold of a promise and wrap our prayers about it; let the
Word of God be the nucleus of your petition, and then frame your own loving
supplications round the Spirit-breathed predictions. I have found, also, that in
this matter of praying for Jesus a considerationof the characterofHis work is
of considerable assistance. If you are wishing to do a friend a goodturn, or to
give a relation a present, you will naturally considerthe bent of that friend's
mind, the purpose of his life, the task that he may happen to have in hand,
that you may give an appropriate present, or offer acceptable service. Act
after the same manner with regardto Jesus. Contemplate Him, meditate upon
His character, reflecton His tastes and predilections. Try to discoverwhat
would please Him most. Why was He hero on earth? He said Himself, "The
Son of Man is come to seek andto Save that which was lost." Thenpray that
the lostmay be saved; that will please Him well. He was here to make
disciples;to gatherround Him and behind Him a fitting retinue, as became
the Prince of Life, albeit He was in disguise. Praythat the number of the
disciples may be increased, that those who profess to follow Him may follow,
not afaroff. He was here to sanctify the saints, to washthem with the washing
of water by the Word; He was here to make them cleanawayevery whir,
head, and hands, and heart, and feet. Well, pray that the saints may be made
holy and kept holy, for this will please Jesus;it will mean the completion of
the work that He came to earth to start,
II. HOW TO PRAY.
1. It must be continually, for so says the text, "Prayeralso should be made for
Him continually." Our interest in Christ should never subside; it should not

even know the changes that affectour prayers for others. I am not sure that
they should be so changeful, but certainly in our desire for Jesus there should
be no sort of variation.
2. Then pray loyally. "Vivat Rex!" "Long live the King!" "Hosanna!"
3. Then pray generouslyand practically, for the text says that the gold of
Sheba shall be given to Him. Praying and giving go well together. Let there be
self-denial with all your supplications. Give to Him gold if you have it, or
silver if you have nothing better. Give Him the bestyou possess.
4. Then pray praisefully, for those who pray continually are to praise daily.
"Daily shall He-be praised." Adore Him while you pray for Him. And with all
your praying let there be much of faith. Our prayers are wastedsometimes.
Why? Because theyare not prayers of faith.
(T. Spurgeon.)
Prayer a vital force
W. Y. Fullerton.
I. PRAYER IS A VITAL FORCE IN THE KINGDOM OF CHRIST.
II. THE SORT OF PRAYER SPOKEN OF IN THE TEXT EXPLAINS,
ILLUSTRATES, AND JUSTIFIES THESE STATEMENTS. Itis quite
certain that Christ is to live and to prevail: it is equally certain that prayer is
to be made for Him. Prayer is to be the greatmeans of bringing in the
kingdom: because Christ lives, prayer will be made: because prayeris made,
His kingdom will continue to grow. He Himself has taught us thus to pray:
when we sayto the Father, "Thy kingdom come," we are truly praying for
Christ, and the prayer is necessaryto the coming of the kingdom.
III. PRAYER FOR CHRIST IS THE HIGHEST FORM OF PRAYER, It is
much more important that He shall prosper than I or you. He is greater. He
lives, I die. He lives not for Himself but for others; His prosperity will mean
that abundant grace shall come to others; and my prayer for Him will help to

hasten the day of His glory. So in praying for Him I am actually praying for
all His people. Surely such prayer is the highest.
(W. Y. Fullerton.)
Pray for Jesus
Many people misunderstand such expression. If He were still on earth we
might pray for Him, but surely not now. But His cause is here, His work needs
prospering, and if we pray for this we pray for Him.
I. SUCH PRAYER ELEVATES THE TONE OF OUR PRAYERS. We canbe
selfishin prayer, and narrow, and sectarian, and even bitter; but praying for
Christ will lift us above all this.
II. SUGGESTSMANY THEMES OF PRAYER — for fitting witnesses for
the truth; for those labouring in the field; for doors of utterance to be opened;
for conversionof many souls;for those who are saved; for the coming of
Christ's kingdom.
III. INSPIRES US WITH PECULIAR EARNESTNESS. Consistencywith my
profession;gratitude, love to Him — all prompt such prayer.
IV. GIVES SPECIAL ENCOURAGEMENT IN OUR PRAYERS. Forthe
worthiness of Christ and the promise of God encourage us.
V. DEMANDS CONSISTENTACTION. It will hold us back from sin; make
us thoughtful; diligent in service, etc. But let His greatlove constrainus.
( C. H. Spurgeon.)
COMMENTARIES
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(15) And he shall . . .—Literally, And he shall live, and shall give him of the
gold of Sheba, and pray for him continually; every day shall he bless him.
This can only refer to the man whose protectionfrom harm and redemption
from fraud and violence is mentioned in the lastverse. The subject under the
just government of the monarch will live, and will bring to his benefactor
daily blessing, as well as rich gifts, with the gold of Sheba, and “with true
prayers that shall be up at heaven, and enter there.”
The PrayerBook version, “prayer shall be made to him,” is quite
inadmissible.
Gold of Sheba—i.e. (see Psalm72:10), of Arabia (as in Prayer-Book). A Greek
historian (Agatharchides), writing of the Sabæans, gives anadmiring account
of the quantity of gold used in adorning and furnishing their houses. This
wealth was probably acquired by commerce with India.
BensonCommentary
Psalm72:15. And he shall live — Solomon’s life and reign shall be long and
prosperous:and He whom Solomontypified shall live for ever, and his
kingdom shall have no end. And to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba,
&c. — The longer he shall live and reign, the richer presents shall be brought
unto him, as there shall be to Christ from the easterncountries, Matthew
2:11; although such expressions as these, usedof Christ and his kingdom, are
commonly to be understood in a spiritual sense. Prayeralso shallbe made for
him — His subjects shall be obliged and excitedby his righteous and happy
government to pray heartily and frequently for him. Hebrew, ‫ללפתי‬ ‫ודעב‬ ‫,דימת‬
jithpallel bagnado tamid, intercessionshall be made on his account
incessantly:1st, On accountof Solomon, that his life might be preserved, and
the prosperity of his reign continued and established. And, 2d, ForChrist; not
indeed personallyconsidered, in which sense he did not need the intercessions
or prayers of his subjects, but for the protection of his truth, cause, and
people, and for the increase and consummation of his kingdom. And daily
shall he be praised — The highestpraises and commendations of Solomon’s
just and gracious governmentshall continually fill men’s months; and daily

shall Christ be “praisedby his people for the riches of his grace, forall the
comforts of his Spirit, and for all the hopes of glory, which they possess
through him.”
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary
72:2-17 This is a prophecy of the kingdom of Christ; many passagesin it
cannot be applied to the reign of Solomon. There were righteousness and
peace atfirst in the administration of his government; but, before the end of
his reign, there were troubles and unrighteousness. The kingdom here spoken
of is to lastas long as the sun, but Solomon's was soonat an end. Even the
Jewishexpositors understoodit of the kingdom of the Messiah. Observe many
greatand precious promises here made, which were to have full
accomplishmentonly in the kingdom of Christ. As far as his kingdom is set
up, discord and contentions cease, in families, churches, and nations. The law
of Christ, written in the heart, disposes men to be honest and just, and to
render to all their due; it likewise disposes mento live in love, and so produces
abundance of peace. Holiness and love shall be lasting in Christ's kingdom.
Through all the changes ofthe world, and all the changes oflife, Christ's
kingdom will support itself. And he shall, by the gracesand comforts of his
Spirit, come down like rain upon the mown grass;not on that cut down, but
that which is left growing, that it may spring again. His gospelhas been, or
shall be, preachedto all nations. Though he needs not the services ofany, yet
he must be servedwith the best. Those that have the wealth of this world,
must serve Christ with it, do goodwith it. Prayershall be made through him,
or for his sake;whatever we ask of the Father, should be in his name. Praises
shall be offered to him: we are under the highest obligations to him. Christ
only shall be feared throughout all generations. To the end of time, and to
eternity, his name shall be praised. All nations shall callHIM blessed.
Barnes'Notes on the Bible
And he shall live - So far as the lanquage here is concerned, this may either
refer to the king - the Messiah- or to the poor and the oppressed man. If the
former, then it means that the life of the Messiahwouldbe perpetual; that he
would not be cut off as other sovereigns are;that there would be no change of

dynasty; that he would be, as a king, the same - unchanging and unchanged -
in all the generations ofpeople, and in all the revolutions which occuron the
earth. This would accordwith the truth, and with what is elsewhere saidof
the Messiah;but, perhaps, the more correctinterpretation is the latter - that it
refers to the poor and the oppressedman - meaning that he would live to
bring an offering to the Messiah, and to pray for the extension of his kingdom
upon the earth.
And to him shall be given - Margin, "one shall give." Literally, "he shall give
to him;" that is, the man who has enjoyed his protection, and who has been
savedby him, will do this. As a tokenof his gratitude, and as an expressionof
his submission, he will bring to him a costly offering, the gold of Sheba.
Of the gold of Sheba - One of the gifts referred to in Psalm 72:10, as coming
from Sheba. Compare Isaiah43:3; Isaiah 45:14. The meaning is, that those
who are redeemed by him - who owe so much to him for protecting and saving
them - will bring the most valued things of the earth, or will consecrateto him
all that they are, and all that they possess. Compare Isaiah60:5-7, Isaiah
60:13-17.
Prayer also shallbe made for him continually - Not for him personally, but for
the success ofhis reign, for the extensionof his kingdom. Prayer made for
"that" is made for "him," for he is identified with that.
And daily shall he be praised - Every day; constantly. It will not be only at
statedand distant intervals - at set seasons,and on specialoccasions -but
those who love him will do it every day. It is not necessaryto say that this
accords with the truth in reference to those who are the friends and followers
of the Messiah- the Lord Jesus. Their lives are lives of praise and gratitude.
From their dwellings daily praise ascends to him; from their hearts praise is
constant;praise uttered in the closetand in the family; praise breathed forth
from the heart, whether on the farm, in the workshop, on a journey, or in the
busy marts of commerce. The time will come when this shall be universal;
when he who can take in at a glance the condition of the world, will see it to be
a world of praise;when he who looks onall hearts at the same moment will
see a world full of thankfulness.

Jamieson-Fausset-BrownBible Commentary
15. In his prolongedlife he will continue to receive the honorable gifts of the
rich, and the prayers of his people shall be made for him, and their praises
given to him.
The Treasuryof David
15 And he shall live, and to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba: prayer
also shall be made for him continually; and daily shall he be praised.
16 There shall be an handful of corn in the earth upon the top of the
mountains; the fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon: and they of the city
shall flourish like grass ofthe earth.
17 His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as the
sun: and men shall be blessedin him: all nations shall call him blessed.
Psalm72:15
"And he shall live." Vive le Roi!O King! live for ever! He was slain, but is
risen and ever liveth. "And to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba." These
are coronationgifts of the richest kind, cheerfully presentedat his throne.
How gladly would we give him all that we have and are, and count the tribute
far too small. We may rejoice that Christ's cause will not stand still for want
of funds; the silver and the gold are his, and if they are not to be found at
home, far-off lands shall hastento make up the deficit. Would to God we had
more faith and more generosity. "Prayeralso shallbe made for him
continually." May all blessings be upon his head; all his people desire that his
cause may prosper, therefore do they hourly cry, "Thy kingdom come."
Prayer for Jesus is a very sweetidea, and one which should be for evermore
lovingly carried out; for the church is Christ's body; and the truth is his
sceptre;therefore we pray for him when we plead for these: The verse may,
however, be read as "through him," for it is by Christ, as our Mediatorthat
prayer enters heaven and prevails. "Continue in prayer is the standing
precept of Messiah's reign, and it implies that the Lord will continue to bless.
"And daily shall he be praised." As he will perpetually show himself to be
worthy of honour, so shall he be incessantlypraised: -

"Forhim shall constantprayer be made,
And praises throng to crown his head;
His name, like sweetperfume, shall rise
With every morning's sacrifice."
Psalm72:16
"There shall be an handful of corn in the earth upon the top of the
mountains." From small beginnings greatresults shall spring. A mere handful
in a place naturally ungenial shall produce a matchless harvest. What a
blessing that there is a handful; "exceptthe Lord of hosts had left unto us a
very small remnant we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been
like unto Gomorrah;" but now the faithful are a living seed;and shall
multiply in the land. "The fruit thereofshall shake like Lebanon." The
harvest shall be so great that the wind shall rustle through it, and sound like
the cedars upon Lebanon: -
"Like Lebanon, by softwinds fann'd,
Rustles the golden harvest far and wide."
God's church is no mean thing; its beginnings are small, but its increase is of
the most astonishing kind. As Lebanon is conspicuous and celebrated, so shall
the church be. "And they of the city shall flourish like grass ofthe earth."
Another figure. Christ's subjects shall be as plentiful as blades of grass, and
shall as suddenly appearas easternverdure after a heavy shower. We need
not fearfor the cause of truth in the land; it is in goodhands, where the
pleasure of the Lord is sure to prosper. "Fearnot, little flock, it is your
Father's goodpleasure to give you the kingdom." When shall these words,
which open up such a vista of delight, be fulfilled in the midst of the earth?
continued...
Matthew Poole's Commentary
He shall live, to wit, long and prosperously, as Solomon did; yea, eternally, as
Christ did. Other kings must lose both their lives and kingdoms; but this

King, whom Solomontypified, shall live for ever, and his kingdom shall have
no end.
Of the gold of Sheba; as a present, or tribute. This was done to Solomon, 1
Kings 10:15, and to Christ, Matthew 2:11, and afterwards as need required.
Although such expressions as these, being used of Christ and his kingdom, are
commonly understood in a spiritual sense.
Prayer shall be made for him; his subjects shall be obligedand excited by his
righteous and happy government to pray heartily and frequently for him;
either,
1. ForSolomon. Or,
2. ForChrist; not so much for his person, which needed not their prayers, as
for the protection and propagation of his kingdom, and gospel, and interest in
the world.
Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible
And he shall live,.... Either the poor and needy man, savedand redeemed by
Christ; he, though dead in trespasses andsins, shall live spiritually, be
quickened togetherwith Christ, and by his Spirit, and live a life of faith and
holiness;and though dead by law, yet, through the righteousness ofChrist,
shall have the justification of life, and live in the sight of God; and so shall live
comfortably by faith in Christ, being filled with joy and peace in believing in
him; and though he may lose his life for Christ's sake, he shall find it again,
and live eternally with him: or the Messiah, the Saviour and Redeemerof the
poor and needy; who, though he was to die, and by his precious blood redeem
them; yet should live again, and never die anymore; as he now does live at the
right hand of God, where he ever lives to make intercessionfor his people, as

well as lives in their hearts, and supplies them with all grace, andkeeps alive
his ownwork on their souls;
and to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba: or Arabia, as Apollinarius;
either to the poor and needy, to whom is given faith, which is more precious
than gold that perisheth; or the knowledge ofChrist, which is preferable to
gold and silver; and of the doctrines of the Gospel, which are of more value
than thousands of gold and silver: also the justifying righteousness ofChrist,
which is the free gift, and is calledclothing of wrought gold, and is signified by
gold of Ophir, Psalm 45:9; moreover, this may include all the riches of Christ,
his durable and unsearchable riches;his riches of grace and glory, which he
bestows upon his subjects;so that the poor and needy are not only savedand
redeemed, and live through him; but are made rich by him, become rich in
faith, and heirs of a kingdom: or to the Messiah, who had gold presentedto
him, in his infancy, Matthew 2:11; though rather it is to be understood
spiritually of the exercise of faith upon him, and every other grace, which is as
gold tried in the fire; and which, as it comes from Christ, it is given to him
again. A truly gracious soulgives Christ the best it has: it gives him its whole
self, body and soul, its heart and affections, and all its grace, andthe glory of
all;
prayer also shallbe made for him continually; or "he shall pray for him" (i);
that is, either Christ shall pray for the poor and needy man; not only save and
redeem, but make intercessionfor him, as Christ does for all he redeems: he
prays for them, that they may be enriched with all the blessings ofgrace;that
the goldhe gives them may be kept; that their faith fail not; that they may be
preservedfrom the evil of the world, and be with him, where he is, to behold
his glory: or the poor and needy shall pray for Christ, for the prosperity of his
church, for the increase of his interest, and the coming of his kingdom: or
"prayer shall be made by him"; or "through him continually" (k); as the
MediatorbetweenGod and man, the way of accessto God, through whom
petitions are offeredto him, and become acceptable withhim;
and daily shall he be praised; or "daily shall he bless him" (l); either Christ
shall daily bless the poor and needy, with spiritual blessings, as he stands in
need of them, and even load him with his benefits: or he shall bless Christ,

ascribe blessing, honour, praise, and glory to him; because ofhis perfections
and excellencies;because ofredemption and salvationby him; and on account
of the various blessings ofgrace, and the daily supplies of it, he receives from
him.
(i) "et orabit pro eo", Pagninus, Montanus, Junius & Tremellius, Cocceius.
(k) "Per ipsum", Genebrardus; "per et propter eum", Calvinus apud
Michaelim. (l) "benedicetei", Pagninus, Montanus, Junius & Tremellius,
Cocceius.
Geneva Study Bible
And he shall live, and to him shall be given of the {m} gold of Sheba: prayer
also shall be made for him continually; and daily shall he be praised.
(m) God will both prosper his life and make the people willing to obey him.
EXEGETICAL(ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)
Cambridge Bible for Schools andColleges
15. The connexionand meaning are uncertain. The R.V. connects the verse
with Psalm72:14, placing a colonat the end of Psalm72:14 and rendering,
and they shall live: lit., as marg., he, namely, eachone of the afflicted ones.
The literal rendering of the next clause is, and he (or, one) shall give him,
which is understoodto mean either that the poor man will grow rich and give
presents to the king in gratitude for his deliverance, or that the king will not
only protect the life of the poor man, but give him a rich largess in addition.
Neither of these explanations is satisfactory. It is better to separate Psalm
72:15 from Psalm 72:14. and regard Psalm72:15-17 as a concluding series of
wishes or prayers for the king and his kingdom.
So may he live, and may men give him of the gold of Sheba:
And may they pray for him continually, and bless him all day long.

May he live is an echo of the regular acclamation‘Vivat Rex,’‘Vive le Roi,’
which we render God save the king. See 1 Samuel 10:24;2 Samuel 16:16; 1
Kings 1:25; 1 Kings 1:34; 1 Kings 1:39. May the people not only greethim
with the customaryacclamationand offer him the choicestgifts, but pray for
his welfare and bless him as the source of their happiness and prosperity. Cp.
1 Kings 8:66. The P.B.V. ‘prayer shall be made ever unto him’ is untenable as
a rendering of the Heb. It was doubtless suggestedby the view that the subject
of the Psalmis the divine Messiah.
15–17.A concluding triplet of prayers, for the welfare of the king (Psalm
72:15), for the prosperity of his people (Psalm 72:16), for the perpetuation of
his memory (Psalm72:17).
Pulpit Commentary
Verse 15. - And he shall live, and to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba. He
(i.e. Messiah) "shalllive" - shall live on, and reign on, in his everlasting
kingdom; and men shall bring to him of the gold of Sheba (1 Kings 10:10;
Ezekiel27:22), giving him of their best and rarest, in grateful
acknowledgmentof his goodness andprotection. Prayer also shall be made for
him continually. His subjects shall offer prayer for him continually, as
Christians do when they pray, "Thy kingdom come" (Hengstenberg). And
daily shall he be praised; rather, all day long shall they praise him.
Keil and DelitzschBiblical Commentary on the Old Testament
This third strophe contains prospects, the ground of which is laid down in the
fourth. The position of the futures here becomes a different one. The
contemplation passes fromthe home relations of the new government to its
foreign relations, and at the same time the wishes are changedinto hopes. The
awe-commanding dominion of the king shall stretch even into the most distant
corners of the desert. ‫םייצ‬ is used both for the animals and the men who
inhabit the desert, to be determined in eachinstance by the context; here they
are men beyond all dispute, but in Psalm74:14; Isaiah23:13, it is matter of

controversywhether men or beasts are meant. Since the lxx, Aquila,
Symmachus, and Jerome here, and the lxx and Jerome in Psalm74:14, render
Αἰθίοπες, the nomadic tribes right and left of the Arabian Gulf seem
traditionally to have been associatedin the mind with this word, more
particularly the so-calledIchthyophagi. These shallbend the knee
reverentially before him, and those who contend againsthim shall be
compelled at lastto veil their face before him in the dust. The remotestwest
and south become subject and tributary to him, viz., the kings of Tartessus in
the south of Spain, rich in silver, and of the islands of the Mediterraneanand
the countries on its coasts, that is to say, the kings of the Polynesianportion of
Europe, and the kings of the Cushitish or of the Joktanitish ‫אבׁש‬ and of the
Cushitish ‫,ׁשבס‬ as, according to Josephus, thechief city of Mero‫כ‬ was called
(vid., Genesis, S. 206). It was a queen of that Joktanitish, and therefore South
Arabian Sheba, - perhaps, however, more correctly(vid., Wetzstein in my
Isaiah, ii. 529)of the Cushitish (Nubian) Sheba, - whom the fame of Solomon's
wisdom drew towards him, 1 Kings 10. The idea of their wealthin gold and in
other precious things is associatedwith both peoples. In the expression ‫איב‬
fo deviecnoc ton si etubirt eht )4:3 mlasP .fc ,3:71 sgniK 2 ,etubirt yap ot( ‫מנח‬
as rendered in return for protectionafforded (Maurer, Hengstenberg, and
Olshausen), nor as an actrepeated periodically (Rdiger, who refers to 2
Chronicles 27:5), but as a bringing back, i.e., repayment of a debt, referre s.
reddere debitum (Hupfeld), after the same idea according to which obligatory
incomings are called reditus )revenues(. In the synonymous expression ‫בייב‬
‫ׁשאׁשי‬ the presentationappears as an actof sacrifice. ‫ׁשאׁשי‬ signifies in Ezekiel
27:15 a payment made in merchandise, here a rent or tribute due, from ‫,רכי‬
which in blending with the Aleph prostheticum has passedoverinto ‫רכי‬ by
means of a shifting of the sound after the Arabic manner, just as in ‫ׁשאׁשל‬ the
verb ‫,רכל‬ to interweave, passesoverinto ‫רכל‬ (Rdigerin Gesenius'Thesaurus).
In Psalm 72:11 hope breaks through every bound: everything shall submit to
his world-subduing sceptre.

PRECEPTAUSTIN RESOURCES
SPURGEON
EXPOSITION
Ver. 15. And he shall live. Vive le Roi! O King! live for ever! He was slain, but
is risen and ever liveth.
And to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba. These are coronationgifts of
the richestkind, cheerfully presented at his throne. How gladly would we give
him all that we have and are, and count the tribute far too small. We may
rejoice that Christ's cause will not stand still for want of funds; the silver and
the goldare his, and if they are not to be found at home, far off lands shall
hasten to make up the deficit. Would to God we had more faith and more
generosity.
Prayer also shallbe made for him continually. May all blessings be upon his
head; all his people desire that his cause may prosper, therefore do they
hourly cry, "Thy kingdom come." Prayer for Jesus is a very sweetidea, and
one which should be for evermore lovingly carried out; for the church is
Christ's body, and the truth is his sceptre;therefore we pray for him when we
plead for these. The verse may, however, be read as "through him, "for it is
by Christ as our Mediatorthat prayer enters heaven and prevails. "Continue
in prayer" is the standing precept of Messiah's reign, and it implies that the
Lord will continue to bless.
And daily shall he be praised. As he will perpetually show himself to be
worthy of honour, so shall he be incessantlypraised: --
"Forhim shall constantprayer be made,
And praises throng to crown his head;
His name, like sweetperfume, shall rise
With every morning's sacrifice."

EXPLANATORY NOTES AND QUAINT SAYINGS
Ver. 15. And he shall live; Hebrew, "So shall he live; "i.e., the poor man.
Charles Carter.
Ver. 15. And he shall live. There is a clearreference to the coronationof kings
in the loud acclamations,Long live the King! and the bestowalofthe
customary gifts and presents, as is plain from 2 Samuel 16:16, 1 Kings 1:39, 1
Samuel 10:27, 2 Chronicles 17:5. Hermann Venema.
Ver. 15. He shall live. Alexander the Greatacknowledgedatdeath that he was
a frail and feeble man. "Lo! I, "said he, "amdying, whom you falselycalleda
god." But Christ proved that he was God when, by his own death, he
overcame, and, as I may say, slew death. Thomas Le Blanc.
Ver. 15. He shall live. It is a greatconsolationto soldiers imperilled amid
many forms of death, that their king shall live. Whence one of the chief of
these warriors, consoling himself, said, "I know that my Redeemerliveth, and
at the lastday I shall rise from the earth." Greatis the consolationofthe
dying, that he for whom, or in whom, they die, shall live for evermore. With
whom, if we die, we shall also live again, and share his riches equally with
himself; for rich indeed is our Solomon, in whom are hidden all the treasures
of the wisdom and knowledge ofGod. Gerhohus.
Ver. 15. Prayer also shall be made for him continually; and daily shall he be
praised. It might have been rendered, "Prayeralso shall be made through him
continually, and daily shall he be blessed." The word is rendered "blessed,
"when speaking if an act of worship towards God; and the word translated
"for" is sometimes used for "through, "as Joshua 2:15, "Throughthe
window." If we hold the translation "for him, "then it must be understood of
the saints praying for the Father's accomplishmentof his promises, made to
the Sonin the covenantof redemption, that his kingdom may come, his name
be glorified, and that he may see his seed, and that the full reward may be
given him for his sufferings, and so that he may receive the joy that was set
before him. JonathanEdwards.

Ver. 15. Prayer also shall be made for him continually; and daily shall he be
praised. In all conquered countries, two things marked the subjectionof the
people:
1. Their money was stampedwith the name of the conqueror.
2. They were obliged to pray for him in their acts of public worship. Adam
Clarke.
HINTS TO THE VILLAGE PREACHER
Ver. 15. Prayer shall be made for him. We are to pray for Jesus Christ. Owing
to the interest he has in certain objects, whatis done for them is done for
himself and so he esteems it. We, therefore, pray for him when we pray for his
ministers, his ordinances, his gospel, his church--in a word, his cause. But
what should we pray for on his behalf?
I. The degree of its resources;that there be always a
sufficiency of suitable and able instruments to carry
on the work.
II. The freedom of its administration; that whatever
opposes orhinders its progress may be removed.
III. The diffusion of its principles; that they may become
generaland universal.
IV. The increase ofits glory, as wellas its extent. W. Jay.
Ver. 15. Prayer for Jesus, a suggestive topic. Daily praise, a Christian duty.
Ver. 15. A living Saviour, a giving people; the connectionbetweenthe two. Or,
Christ in the church fills the exchequer, fosters the prayer meeting, and
sanctifies the service of song.

CHARLES SIMEON
CHRIST’S GOVERNMENT OF HIS CHURCH
Psalms 72:12-15. He shall deliver the needy, when he crieth; the poor also, and
him that hath no helper. He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the
souls of the needy. He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence:and
precious shall their blood be in his sight. And he shall live; and to him shall be
given of the gold of Sheba: prayer also shall be made for him continually; and
daily shall he be praised.
THE science ofGovernment is at all times interesting to the human mind.
Respecting the different forms of Government, there must of necessitybe a
greatdiversity of opinion; but respecting the ends of it there can be but one
sentiment in every bosom. The one concernof those in authority should be to
promote to the utmost possible extent the welfare and happiness of all who are
committed to their charge:and in proportion as this objectis pursued, must
the existence ofGovernment and the exercise oflegitimate authority be
numbered amongstthe richest blessings bestowedupon mankind. It was from
a conviction of this truth that the Queen of Sheba said to Solomon, “Happy
are thy men, happy are these thy servants, which stand continually before
thee, and that hear thy wisdom. Blessedbe the Lord thy God, which delighted
in thee, to setthee on the throne of Israel: because the Lord loved Israel for
ever, therefore made he thee king, to do judgment and justice [Note: 1 Kings
10:8-9.].” Perhaps in no country, at any period of the world, were these ends
of Government so extensively attained as in Israel, under the reign of
Solomon. It is in praise of his administration that the psalm before us was
penned. Yet are there parts of the psalm which clearlyshew that the inspired
penman had respectto a greaterKing than Solomon, evento “Messiahthe
Prince,” the “King of kings, and Lord of lords.” The reference ofthe psalm to
Him being universally acknowledged, we will draw your attention to the two
points which are unfolded in our text; namely,
I. The interest which Christ takes in his people—

The description here given of his people deserves especialnotice—
[In the former part of the psalm, they are repeatedly characterizedas poor
and needy. “He shall judge thy people with righteousness, andthy poor with
judgment. He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of
the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor[Note:ver. 2, 4.].” In the
text itself this descriptionis given of them even to tautology: “He shall deliver
the needy when he crieth, the poor also, and him that hath no helper. He shall
spare the poor and needy, and shall save the souls of the needy.” We are not to
understand, from hence, that he reigns over no other: though it is certain that
over them chiefly he has reignedhitherto [Note: 1 Corinthians 1:26. James
2:5.]: but, as his reign is spiritual, so it is in a spiritual view that his subjects
are here described;and, truly, to this description do they all answer:and it is
an unspeakable comfort to them that they are so described;for, if they had
been designatedby any nobler title, thousands of them would, have doubted
whether they might dare to number themselves amongsthis subjects:but,
under the characterof the poor and needy, the very least, as well as the
greatestofhis subjects, canconfidently asserttheir claim to that honour — —
—
It is here takenfor granted, too, that his people will be exposedto heavy trials
from an oppressive and ungodly world. And because the violence of
persecutionhas in greatmeasure ceasedin the present day, we are ready to
imagine the dispositionto oppress them has ceased. Butthis is by no means
the case.The laws of the land protectthe godly from that measure of
persecutionwhich at different times and under different pretexts has raged
againstthem: but the contempt in which the saints are held, solely and
entirely on the ground of their sanctity, clearly shews that the enmity against
them has not ceased, but is only restrained by legalenactments, and a more
generaldiffusion of civil and religious liberty. It is still as true as at any period
of the world, that “if we were of the world, the world would love its own; but
because we are not of the world, but Christ has chosenus out of the world,
therefore the world hateth us [Note:John 15:19.].”]
But Jesus will suit his ministration to their necessities—

[If he suffer them to be oppressedfor a while, it is only that he may the more
visibly and acceptablyexert himself in their behalf. Let them only “cry” unto
him, and he will shew himself strong in their behalf, and mighty to save. There
are but two ways in which any one can gain an unjust dominion over his
people; namely, by fraudulent enticement, or by overpowering force. But,
though both of these be combined for the bringing of them into bondage, he
will interpose for them, and “redeemthem both from deceit and violence:” or,
if he should permit an oppressorso far to prevail over them as to take away
their life, he will vindicate their cause, andmake their enemy to feel that
“precious is their blood in his sight.” But over “their souls” shallnone prevail.
Not even their greatadversary, though as a subtle serpent he put forth all his
devices to beguile them [Note:2 Corinthians 11:3.], or as a roaring lion he
make his utmost efforts to devour them [Note:1 Peter 5:8.], he shall not be
able; for Jesus will effectuallypreserve them, and not suffer so much as “one
of them to be plucked out of his hand [Note: John 10:28.].” As it is his
Father’s will, so also is it his, that not one of his little ones should perish [Note:
Luke 12:32.]. As for their poverty and helplessness, this shall operate with him
rather as an inducement to afford them his succour, than as an obstacle to his
gracious interference:indeed, the more they feel their utter dependence upon
him, the more readily and effectually will he exert himself in their behalf
[Note:2 Corinthians 12:9.].]
Nor shall they be insensible of his kindness towards them: for the text informs
us of,
II. The interestwhich his people take in him—
In the life of such a king as Solomon, the whole nation is deeply interested. But
he, howeverlong he reign, must die at last: but the King of Zion shall live for
ever. “He was indeed crucified through weakness;but he liveth by the power
of God [Note: 2 Corinthians 13:4.];” yea, “he is alive for evermore [Note:
Revelation1:18.].”
Now, as in earthly governments the people pay tribute to their king, and pray
for the prosperity of his kingdom, and take all suitable occasions for
displaying their loyalty, whether in a way of private commendation or public

address;so the subjects of King Messiahapprove themselves worthy of the
relation in which they stand to him.
1. They pay him their tribute—
[“The silver and the gold are his:” and though he is able to carry on the
affairs of his government without any contribution from man, yet he is
pleasedto make use of human instruments, and to give his people an
opportunity of manifesting their zeal in his service:hence they bring him their
willing offerings. As, at his first appearance in the world, the wise men
presentedto him gold and frankincense and myrrh; so now it is the joy of all
his people to contribute, according to their power, to the enlargement and
establishment of his kingdom. Gladly do they “give him of the gold of Sheba;”
and accountit all as of no value, exceptus it is employed in subserviencyto his
will, and for the advancement of his glory. The very widow accounts it her
honour and her happiness to casther mite into his treasury; and he accepts it
with the same pleasure as the richestcontributions of the greatand wealthy.]
2. They offer their prayers in his behalf—
[Personally, he needs them not. In this respecthe is unlike the kings of the
earth. But for the prosperity of his kingdom he enjoins us to pray. One of the
first petitions which, in his short and comprehensive prayer, he has taught us
to pour forth, is, “Thy kingdom come.” In this sense, “prayeris made for him
continually,” by every subjectof his kingdom. It is a grief to his people to see
so greata part of the world still ignorant of him, and persisting in a rejection
of his light and easyyoke:and they long to behold both Jews and Gentiles
prostrate at his feet. “They rest not day or night” in calling upon God to take
to him his greatpowerand reign among them; yea, they give him no rest, till
he shall arise and “subdue all nations to the obedience of faith [Note:Isaiah
62:6-7.].”]
3. They render unto him their devoutest acknowledgments—
[A grateful people cannotbut acknowledgewithgratitude the blessings which
they enjoy under the paternal government of a wise and pious king. But, great
as earthly benefits are, they are not to be comparedwith those which we

receive under the government of the Lord Jesus. Whatprotectionfrom
enemies, what peacefulquiet, what abundance of all spiritual blessings does
the very leastand meanestof his subjects enjoy! enjoy, too, as the very result
of his care over them, and of his bounty towards them. An earthly prince,
howeverardent his desires or laborious his efforts, could not drive away
distress from his dominions; nor, if it were possible for his subjects, all of
them without exception, to have accessto him, could he administer to them
the relief which they solicited. But Jesus is accessible atall times to every
creature in his vast empire; and can both listen to their requests without
weariness,and fulfil them without delay. This, too, is a truth, of which every
individual among them is sensible;all of them having been deeply oppressed
with want, and having carried to him their respective trials, and having
receivedrelief at his hands. Every one of them, therefore, “praises him daily,”
as the one author of all his blessings, and the one ground of all his hopes
[Note:See this done first in generalterms, Psalms 145:1-13;and then, for his
more particular acts of grace, Psalms 145:14-21and Psalms 146:1-2;Psalms
146:7-10.].]
Such, then, being the mutual regard subsisting betweenthe Lord Jesus Christ
and his people, let me, in conclusion, callyou to contemplate,
1. The folly of casting off his yoke—
[He has ascendedup on high [Note: If this be a subject for the ascensionday,
or the sunday after, this hint may be a little amplified.], and is setdown on the
right hand of God, until all his enemies shall become his footstool[Note:
Psalms 110:1.]. And do you suppose that any will be able successfullyto hold
out againsthim? No: his arrows shallbe very sharp in the hearts of all his
enemies;and the stoutestof them all shall lick the dust: yea, “all kings shall
fall down before him, all nations shall serve him [Note:ver. 11.].” Let none of
you, then, continue in your stoutness of heart; but castdown the weapons of
your rebellion, and implore mercy at his hands. Then shall you find, that in
the mercy which he exercises, no less than in the justice he administers, “your
blood shall be precious in his sight.”]
2. The happiness of his faithful subjects—

[This were great, if we consideredonly what is spokenrespecting them in the
text. But their happiness infinitely transcends any thing that earthly monarchs
are able to bestow. Theyare themselves, all of them without exception, made
kings, and have a kingdom given unto them by their Lord, similar to that
which has been conferred on the Messiahhimself by his heavenly Father
[Note:Revelation3:21.]. Hear ye this, ye poor and needy souls!Are ye not
amazed, that ye should be “taken, as it were, from a dunghill, and setamong
princes, and made to inherit a throne of glory [Note: 1 Samuel 2:8.]?” Yet be
assured, that this is your portion, if only you approve yourselves faithful to
your Lord and King. Yes: “be ye faithful unto death, and you shall, every one
of you, inherit a crown of life.”]
Str. V. Psalm72:15. And may he live and give him of the gold of Sheba, and
pray for him continually, bless him all the day.—It is disputed whether the
subject is the same in all the clauses ofthis verse, or whether there is a change
of subject, and in the latter case (in favor of which Delitzschappeals to the
Oriental style and his Geschichte der jüdischen Poesie, S189), whetherthe
Messianic king is the subject of live, and the following verbs are to be takenas
impersonal or passive (the ancientversions, Isaki, Luther, Calvin, Umbreit),
or whether the poor man is to be regardedthe subject of live and bless, and
the king as the subject of give and pray (J. H. Mich.), or yet of give (Maurer,
Hofmann, Delitzsch). In the former case, onthe other hand, it is again
disputed whether the Messianic king is the subject of all the clauses (Cocc, De
Dieu, Stier, Böhl), or the protected subject(Aben Ezra, Kimchi, Geierand
most interpreters). The lastsupposition is not in oppositionto the immediate
context, even when the aim of sparing and delivering is not regardedas
directly expressed, (Ewald, Olsh.), but the consequencesofthe deliverance,
the life and the expressionof thanks. The mention of the gold of Sheba,
however, is difficult. Forthe delivered give this, not, as it were, as the most
precious and best (Geier, J. H. Mich.), which would have been calledthe gold

of Ophir, or because he was a native of Sheba (Hupf.) as the product of his
land, which does not suit Psalm 72:10 at all. We might rather suppose that the
poor man ( Psalm72:13) had been againrestoredby the king to his
possessions(Hengst.);or since the singular then refers back to Psalm72:12 sq,
that here as there the poor man is parallel to the miserable in the
comprehensive and typical sense of Biblical usage (Hupfeld). Then we should
have, not a return to Psalm72:4 (De Wette), but an expansion of the thought
there expressed. But this Isaiah, to a still greaterextent, the case if the king is
regardedas the subject of this clause as of all the preceding.
https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/lcc/psalms-72.html
JOHN GILL
Verse 15
And he shall live,.... Either the poor and needy man, savedand redeemed by
Christ; he, though dead in trespasses andsins, shall live spiritually, be
quickened togetherwith Christ, and by his Spirit, and live a life of faith and
holiness;and though dead by law, yet, through the righteousness ofChrist,
shall have the justification of life, and live in the sight of God; and so shall live
comfortably by faith in Christ, being filled with joy and peace in believing in
him; and though he may lose his life for Christ's sake, he shall find it again,
and live eternally with him: or the Messiah, the Saviour and Redeemerof the
poor and needy; who, though he was to die, and by his precious blood redeem
them; yet should live again, and never die anymore; as he now does live at the
right hand of God, where he ever lives to make intercessionfor his people, as
well as lives in their hearts, and supplies them with all grace, andkeeps alive
his ownwork on their souls;
and to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba: or Arabia, as Apollinarius;
either to the poor and needy, to whom is given faith, which is more precious
than gold that perisheth; or the knowledge ofChrist, which is preferable to

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