Psalm 72 (Tate & Brady)

1 Lord, let thy just decrees the king

in all his ways direct;

And let his son, throughout his reign,

thy righteous laws respect.

2 So shall he still thy people judge

with pure and upright mind,

Whilst all the helpless poor shall him

their just protector find.

3 Then hills and mountains shall bring forth

the happy fruits of peace,

Which all the land shall own to be

the work of righteousness;

4 Whilst he the poor and needy race

shall rule with gentle sway,

And from their humble necks shall take

oppressive yokes away.

5 In ev'ry heart thy awful fear

shall then be rooted fast,

As long as sun and moon endure,

or time itself shall last.

6 He shall descend like rain that cheers

the meadows' second birth,

Or like warm show'rs, whose gentle drops

refresh the thirsty earth.

7 In his blest days the just and good

shall be with favor crowned;

The happy land shall every where

with endless peace abound.

8 His uncontrolled dominion shall

from sea to sea extend,

Begin at proud Euphrates' streams,

at nature's limits end.

9 To him the savage nations round

shall bow their servile heads;

His vanquished foes shall lick the dust,

where he his conquest spreads.

10 The kings of Tarshish and the isles

shall costly presents bring;

From spicy Sheba gifts shall come,

and wealthy Saba's king.

11 To him shall ev'ry king on earth

his humble homage pay,

And diff'ring nations gladly join

to own his righteous sway.

12 For he shall set the needy free

when they for succor cry.

Shall save the helpless and the poor,

and all their wants supply.

The Second Part.

13 His providence for needy souls

shall due supplies prepare;

And over their defenseless 1Ives

shall watch with tender care,

14 He shall preserve and keep their souls

from fraud and rapine free, �

And in his sight their guiltless blood

of mighty price shall be.

15 Therefore shall God his life and reign

to many years extend,

While eastern princes tribute pay,

and golden presents send.

For him shall constant pray'rs be made

through all his prosp'rous days;

His just dominion shall afford

a lasting theme of praise.

16 Of useful grain, through all the land,

great plenty shall appear;

A handful sown on mountain tops

a mighty crop shall bear.

Its fruit, like cedars shook by winds,

a rattling noise shall yield;

The city too shall thrive, and vie

for plenty with the field.

17 The mem'ry of his glorious Name

through endless years shall ruin;

His spotless fame shall shine as bright

and lasting as the sun.

In him the nations of the world

shall be completely blessed,

And his unbounded happiness

by ev'ry tongue confessed.

18 Then blessed be God, the mighty Lord,

the God whom Israel fears;

Who only wondrous in his works .

beyond compare appears.

19 Let earth be with his glory filled,

and ever bless his Name;

Whilst to his praise the list'ning world

their glad assent proclaim.