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Good morning. It’s good to be together again as we continue walking through this Advent season, a time to focus on hope and peace. Advent is that special time when we slow down, lift our eyes from the noise of life, and remember that our hope isn’t rooted in circumstances — it’s rooted in a Person. Last week, we began by looking at the hope we have in Christ. Today we get to explore the peace He brings — not a shallow, temporary peace, but the deep peace that comes from His righteous and compassionate reign.
If you walked in this morning carrying anxieties, worries, or just the weight of another busy week, my prayer is that you’ll find rest in the presence of the King who sees you, knows you, and welcomes you with open arms. Psalm 72 paints for us a picture of a King unlike any other — One who brings justice, restores the broken, and gives peace to His people. And that’s the King we’ve gathered to worship today.
Let’s quiet our hearts before Him and ask the Lord to shape our time together, opening us to His peace and guiding us closer to His presence.
Let’s go to the Lord in prayer.
Father, we come before You this morning grateful for the gift of Your presence. As we enter this second week of Advent, we’re reminded that true peace doesn’t come from the world around us — it comes from the reign of Your Son, our King.
Lord, You are righteous in all Your ways and compassionate in all Your works. Would You quiet our anxious hearts, settle our restless minds, and help us to see Jesus clearly today? Let the picture of the King in Psalm 72 stir our faith, strengthen our hope, and lead us to worship.
We ask that Your Spirit would guide everything we do — every song we sing, every word we hear, and every thought we think. Shape us by Your truth. Help us to trust in the rule of Christ, to rest in His compassion, and to walk in His peace.
Father, be honored in this gathering. Draw us close. Speak to us. And remind us again that the King has come, and the King is coming.
We pray this in the name of Jesus, our righteous and everlasting King. Amen.
We're now in the second week of Advent, the week traditionally tied to peace. And if there's anything our world is starving for, it's peace that sustains us through life's uncertainties, reminding us that our longing for peace is understood and valued.
The truth is, we've all felt the weight of a world that cannot give us the peace we long for. We see injustice. We see brokenness. We see people hurting, and in those moments, we feel it in our own hearts too. There's a kind of unrest woven into the human condition. We try to manage it or distract ourselves from it, but it always comes back. Something still isn't right.
Psalm 72 speaks into that longing. It was originally a royal psalm—a prayer for the king who sat on David's throne. But it quickly becomes clear that this psalm is reaching for something far beyond what Solomon, or any earthly king, ever accomplished. The language stretches too far, the promises too big, the vision too perfect. It points us to the ultimate King, Jesus, whose reign offers us personal peace amid life's uncertainties.
This psalm pulls our hearts toward a better King. A truer King. A King whose reign brings justice, righteousness, and deep, lasting peace. A King who defends the weak, confronts oppression, restores what's broken, and gives life where there's been barrenness.
And here's the good news for Advent:
That King has come, and His name is Jesus.
This psalm reminds us that His reign is still unfolding — and one day His peace will fill the earth like the waters cover the sea, filling us with hope for what is to come.
True peace flows from the righteous reign of God's true King.
That's the message of Psalm 72, and that's the peace we celebrate today.
Let's open our Bibles to Psalm 72.
The Peace of the King Begins With Righteous Rule
Psalm 72 opens with a striking request:
Give the king your justice, O God, and your righteousness to the royal son!
Before this King ever acts, before He ever speaks, the psalmist wants us to see the source of His strength: He rules with the very character of God Himself.
And that matters because biblical peace doesn't start with calm circumstances or stillness. It begins with righteousness — a king who embodies God's love and justice.
Verse 2 says
May he judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice!
And then in Verse 3 tells us the mountains themselves "yield prosperity" because righteousness is present.
Let the mountains bear prosperity for the people, and the hills, in righteousness!
The picture is simple: where the King rules rightly, peace begins to grow.
And this ties directly to the heartbeat of the psalm:
True peace flows from the righteous reign of God's true King.
You see that clearly in verses 2-4. This King is not distant or indifferent. He steps toward the vulnerable, showing His care. He defends the cause of the poor, delivering the children of the needy, and breaking the oppressor's power, inspiring hope and admiration.
Righteousness in the ancient world meant actively protecting those who couldn't defend themselves. This King does just that-confronting injustice And entering into suffering, Not ignoring it.
This is the kind of King every generation longs for — one who sees, one who cares, one who acts. And it becomes clear very quickly that this vision stretches beyond Solomon. Israel never had a king who matched this portrait. The psalm is reaching for Someone greater.
And that leads us right into the next movement of the psalm, because the peace this King brings isn't confined to one people or one place. It expands outward. It spreads. It reaches further than Israel could ever imagine.
If the first part of the psalm shows us how the King rules, the next part shows us how far His peace goes.
The Peace of the King Extends to the Nations
After showing us the King's character, the psalm widens the lens. Now we're invited to see the scope of His reign. Verse 5 says,
May they fear you while the sun endures, and as long as the moon, throughout all generations!
The idea is simple: this reign is not temporary. It's enduring. It's stable. It outlasts every human dynasty.
Then verse 6 brings one of the most beautiful images in the entire psalm:
May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass, like showers that water the earth!
If you've ever walked outside after a long stretch of heat and watched a dry yard soak in a fresh summer storm, you know exactly what this means. The King's peace isn't harsh. It isn't mechanical. It falls gently. It refreshes. It restores what's been scorched.
Wilson writes that this image isn't just poetic — it's theological. Peace from this King revives what life has worn down, reminding us that His rule is truly life-giving and restorative.
Then verses 8 through 11 stretch the reach of His kingdom even further:
May he have dominion from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth! May desert tribes bow down before him, and his enemies lick the dust! May the kings of Tarshish and of the coastlands render him tribute; may the kings of Sheba and Seba bring gifts! May all kings fall down before him, all nations serve him!
This expansive language echoes Old Testament promises of a Messiah whose reign extends to coastlines, islands, and distant nations, deepening our understanding of Christ's fulfillment of God's promises and inspiring faith in His universal kingship.
And here's where our key truth meets this section head-on:
True peace flows from the righteous reign of God's true King — and that peace is meant for the nations.
The world has tried countless versions of peace: political, economic, military, and personal. Yet, every one of them, sooner or later, cracks under human sin. But this King offers a peace deep and wide enough for every tribe, every people, every place, providing lasting assurance.
Jesus' reign is not only global but also personal; His deep peace softens hardened hearts and reaches every individual and nation, encouraging believers to trust in His power to transform lives and nations alike.
And that brings us to the next movement of the psalm, because we've seen the extent of His rule — now the text takes us inside His heart. Before we see what He accomplishes worldwide, the psalmist wants us to see what kind of King He is toward those who suffer.
The Peace of the King Flows From His Compassion
Up to this point, the psalm has shown us the King’s righteousness and the reach of His reign. But now the focus shifts from His throne to His heart. Verses 12–14 invite us to see what this King is really like toward those who hurt, those who struggle, and those the world tends to forget. Understanding His compassion helps us trust Him more deeply and revere His loving nature.
Verse 12 begins,
For he delivers the needy when he calls, the poor and him who has no helper.
This King sees what others overlook. He hears cries that others ignore. He moves toward people who have no advocate and no protection.
Goldingay makes the point that in the ancient world, “needy” didn’t simply mean financially poor — it meant exposed, powerless, at the mercy of systems and people stronger than they were. And the true King steps directly into that kind of need.
Verse 13 deepens the picture:
He has pity on the weak and the needy, and saves the lives of the needy.
This isn’t cold justice. It’s compassionate justice.
It’s not simply that the King sets things right — it’s that He feels the weight of the brokenness. He bends toward suffering. He takes it personally. Recognizing His compassion should inspire us to respond with genuine mercy and trust in His care, knowing He personally cares for our struggles and those of others.
Then verse 14 brings the strongest assurance of all:
From oppression and violence he redeems their life, and precious is their blood in his sight.
In the ancient world, kings were often indifferent to the loss of life as long as their power remained intact. Not this King. The lives of the vulnerable are precious to Him. Their protection is personal to Him. Their peace is His priority.
And when we see that compassion, we begin to understand our theme more clearly:
True peace flows from the righteous reign of God’s true King — a King whose righteousness is expressed through compassion.
He doesn’t bring peace by force alone, but by mercy.
He doesn’t secure peace by ignoring suffering, but by healing it.
He doesn’t establish peace at a distance, but up close, with a heart that beats for the wounded.
And if that’s who the King is, then what happens when His reign takes root?
The psalm shows us exactly that next. It moves from compassion to flourishing — from the King’s heart to the life that blossoms under His rule.
The Peace of the King Produces Flourishing
Having shown us the King’s righteousness, His global reach, and His deep compassion, the psalm now turns to the results of His reign. What happens when this King rules? What grows in the soil of His kingdom?
Verse 15 begins with prayerful anticipation:
Long may he live; may gold of Sheba be given to him! May prayer be made for him continually, and blessings invoked for him all the day!
The nations bring Him gifts—not out of intimidation, but joy. The world recognizes the goodness of His rule.
Then verse 16 paints a sweeping picture of flourishing:
May there be abundance of grain in the land; on the tops of the mountains may it wave; may its fruit be like Lebanon; and may people blossom in the cities like the grass of the field!
This is a remarkable image. The mountaintops were the least fertile places in Israel—thin soil, harsh winds, little water. And yet the psalm says even there the grain will wave like a golden sea.
The point is clear: under this King, life grows where life was never expected.
Goldingay notes that this section intentionally recalls the language of Eden—abundance, blessing, fruitfulness. The psalmist wants us to see that this King doesn’t just stop oppression; He restores what was lost. He doesn’t just end violence; He cultivates beauty. Peace in His kingdom is not the absence of conflict—it’s the presence of flourishing.
Verse 17 ties it all together:
May his name endure forever, his fame continue as long as the sun! May people be blessed in him, all nations call him blessed!
That’s covenant language. It echoes the promise given to Abraham: “In you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” It’s as if the psalmist is saying, “This is the One we've been waiting for. This is the King through whom God will fulfill His ancient promise.”
And here, as the psalm reaches its peak, the core truth shines again: True peace flows from the righteous reign of God’s true King — a peace so rich it leads to blessing, renewal, and life that stretches across the world.
This is why Psalm 72 refuses to settle for Solomon or any earthly king. Human rulers can maintain order for a time, but they cannot make the wilderness bloom. They cannot cause nations to be blessed in their name. They cannot sustain a kingdom that endures forever.
But Jesus can.
When Jesus reigns, hearts are restored. Families begin to heal. Communities find hope. Lives that felt barren begin to bear fruit. Even the high places—the hard places—start to grow again.
This is the flourishing of Advent peace, and it leads naturally to the final movement of the psalm, where all of this bursts into praise.
The Peace of the King Leads Us to Praise
The final verses of Psalm 72 shift from declaration to doxology. After seeing the righteousness of the King, the reach of His reign, the compassion of His heart, and the flourishing that follows Him, the only fitting response is worship.
Verses 18–19 say:
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things. Blessed be his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory! Amen and Amen!
Notice how quickly the focus moves. The psalm began with the king, but it ends with the LORD. Why? Because every joy, every blessing, every ounce of peace that comes from the King ultimately comes from the God who sent Him. The reign of the King reveals the glory of God.
The King’s rule shines with God’s splendor. In other words, His justice reflects God’s heart. His compassion displays God’s mercy. His peace showcases God’s power.
The psalmist’s final prayer—“May the whole earth be filled with His glory”—echoes the entire trajectory of the psalm. The flourishing of the land, the blessing of the nations, and the compassion for the needy all reveal the character of the God who reigns through His King.
And this is where our key truth finds its home in worship: True peace flows from the righteous reign of God’s true King — and that peace ultimately leads us to praise the God who sent Him.
Then verse 20 closes with a marker:
The prayers of David, the son of Jesse, are ended.
This signals not just the end of a collection, but the culmination of a longing. The prayer for the perfect king, the hope for the righteous ruler, the desire for a kingdom of justice and peace—all of it funnels into Psalm 72 and points forward to the One who fulfills it.
And that’s why, when we read these final verses, we can’t help but think of Jesus. He is the King whose rule reveals the Father’s glory. He is the King whose compassion shows the Father’s heart. He is the King whose peace reflects the Father’s character. And when we see Him clearly, praise naturally rises.
Psalm 72 brings us to the edge of Advent and tells us to look up—because the King has come, and the King is coming. And our worship is the right response to the peace He brings.
Connection to Christ
Psalm 72 is a royal psalm, but it ultimately points beyond every king Israel ever knew. Its vision is too large for David, too righteous for Solomon, too global for any earthly throne. This psalm creates an ache for a King who never fails, never falters, never grows corrupt, never abandons the weak, and never loses His reign.
And the New Testament tells us exactly who that King is.
Jesus is the true Son of David who fulfills this psalm.
Every thread of Psalm 72 finds its completion in Him.
He brings justice — “The Father… has given all judgment to the Son” (John 5:22).
He brings righteousness — “So that in Him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Cor. 5:21).
He brings deliverance for the oppressed — “He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives” (Luke 4:18).
He brings worldwide authority — “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me” (Matt. 28:18).
He brings compassion — “He saw the crowds and had compassion for them” (Matt. 9:36).
He brings everlasting peace — “My peace I give to you” (John 14:27).
Everything Psalm 72 longs for is embodied in Christ.
Everything Psalm 72 promises is secured by Christ.
Everything Psalm 72 anticipates will be completed by Christ.
This psalm previews the Kingdom Jesus began at His first coming, reminding us His righteous reign is active now and will be fully realized at His return.
And this is why the message of Psalm 72 matters so deeply for Advent:
True peace flows from the righteous reign of God’s true King — and that King is Jesus.
Psalm 72 lifts our eyes to see Him, trust Him, and long for the day when His peace fills the whole earth.
Living Under the Peace of the King
Psalm 72 isn’t just meant to fill our minds with a beautiful picture. It’s meant to shape how we live today. If this is the kind of King Jesus is—righteous, compassionate, and sovereign—then His peace should leave fingerprints on our everyday lives.
Let me give you a few places in Psalm 72 where it calls us to respond.
1. Trust the King more than the kingdoms of this world.
Every election cycle, every headline, every crisis reminds us how fragile earthly leadership really is. Humans can’t deliver what Psalm 72 describes. They can’t secure lasting peace or bring righteousness to the nations.
But Jesus can.
So instead of hanging your hope on political solutions, personal plans, or emotional stability, rest your confidence in the One whose reign offers unwavering security and peace.
True peace flows from the righteous reign of God’s true King.
Let your heart settle there.
2. Reflect the heart of the King in how you treat people.
If this King defends the needy, then His people should protect the needy.
If His compassion moves Him toward the broken, our compassion should move us too.
This doesn’t require a platform. It requires a posture.
Who around you is struggling?
Who feels unseen, unheard, or overwhelmed?
Ask the Lord to give you the kind of eyes this King has—the kind that see, the kind that care, the kind that act.
3. Let His peace shape the way you handle your own struggles.
The peace Jesus brings isn’t fragile. It’s not based on how well life is going. It’s rooted in His character and His rule.
So when worry rises, when fear creeps in, when life feels unstable:
• Slow down.
• Remember who your King is.
• Let His righteousness steady you.
• Let His compassion comfort you.
• Let His authority remind you that your life isn’t out of control.
His peace is meant to enter real anxieties, real griefs, real uncertainties.
4. Join the global mission of the King.
The scope of His peace is worldwide. Psalm 72 reminds us that Jesus’ reign is for every nation, every tribe, every language. And He invites His people to be part of that work.
You may never get on a plane, but you can:
• Pray for missionaries.
• Support gospel work.
• Share Christ with the people in your life.
• Live in a way that makes His peace visible in your home, your workplace, your neighborhood.
When the peace of the King takes root in your life, mission becomes a natural overflow.
5. Receive the King’s compassion for yourself.
For some of you, this may be the hardest part. You can believe Jesus is compassionate toward others, but you struggle to believe He delights to draw near to you.
Psalm 72 says your life is precious in His sight.
So come to Him:
with your failures,
with your fears,
with your wounds,
with your questions.
His reign isn’t cold or distant—it is tender and strong.
Let Him meet you there.
So What?
So what does all of this mean for me?
Psalm 72 gives us a breathtaking vision of the King we have in Jesus. But the question every one of us has to answer is this: What difference does that make when I walk out of here and step back into real life?
Let me give you a simple way to hold onto the heart of this message:
Peace isn’t something you achieve. It’s something you receive under the reign of the King.
We spend so much of our lives trying to create peace on our own—trying to manage our circumstances, control outcomes, keep everybody happy, stay one step ahead of the stress. But Advent reminds us that the peace we’re longing for doesn’t come from us at all. It comes from Jesus.
• When life feels unfair, remember you have a King who brings justice.
• When you feel unworthy, remember you have a King who clothes you in righteousness.
• When you feel overwhelmed, remember you have a King who rescues the needy.
• When you feel small, remember His reign reaches the nations.
• When you feel wounded, remember His compassion is personal.
• When you feel barren, remember His peace makes things grow again.
This psalm is pulling us to the same conclusion:
True peace flows from the righteous reign of God’s true King.
So the “So What?” for today is really an invitation:
Open your hands. Drop the illusion of control. Let the rule of Jesus settle over your heart. Receive the peace that comes not from circumstances, but from the presence and the reign of the King Himself.
That’s the peace Advent holds out to us.
That’s the peace Psalm 72 promises.
And that’s the peace Jesus gives.
Peace: The Reign of the King
As we stand at this point in Advent, Psalm 72 invites us to lift our eyes from the noise of life and fix them on Jesus, the King who reigns with righteousness, compassion, and unfailing love. Every longing we have for peace finds its answer in Him. Every ache we carry finds its comfort in Him. The light of His presence meets every shadow in our lives.
Solomon couldn’t give this kind of peace. No earthly ruler ever will. But Jesus, your true King, can—and He does. He is the one who defends the weak, restores the broken, brings life to barren places, and holds you in His hands. And He holds you there, too.
So as you walk into a new week, let your heart rest in the trust of His reign. Let your soul breathe. Let the peace of Christ settle over you like gentle rain on dry ground. He has come. He is reigning. And He is coming again to make all things new.
May His peace guard your heart today, tomorrow, and until the day we see our King face-to-face, giving you confidence in His constant care.
Amen.
Let us pray.
Father, we thank You for the gift of this morning and for the peace You offer us through Your Son. We’ve seen in Psalm 72 the beauty of His reign—the righteousness He brings, the compassion He shows, the life He restores. Lord, let these truths settle deep into our hearts.
As we step into a new week, quiet our anxious thoughts. Remind us that our peace doesn’t depend on our strength, our plans, or our ability to hold everything together. Our peace comes from Jesus, our true King. Help us to trust Him, walk with Him, and reflect His heart in the way we love others.
Fill us with hope as we look forward to the day when His kingdom is fully revealed, and His peace covers the earth like the waters cover the sea. Until that day, keep our eyes on Him, encouraging us to trust in His perfect timing.
We pray this in the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace.
Amen.
May the peace of Christ—the peace that flows from His righteous and compassionate reign—guard your hearts and your minds this week.
May His presence steady you.
May His love comfort you.
May His strength uphold you.
And may His peace go with you wherever you go.
Be blessed to be a blessing.