Psalms 72

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 Of Solomon.	1 A Psalm of Asaph. How good is God to Israel, to those who are upright in heart.
2 O God, give your judgment to the king; your justice to the son of kings; That he may govern your people with justice, your oppressed with right judgment,	2 But my feet were nearly moved; my steps had nearly slipped.
3 That the mountains may yield their bounty for the people, and the hills great abundance,	3 For I was zealous over the iniquitous, seeing the peacefulness of sinners.
4 That he may defend the oppressed among the people, save the poor and crush the oppressor.	4 For they have no respect for their death, nor do they have support in their wounds.
5 May he live as long as the sun endures, like the moon, through all generations.	5 They are not with the hardships of men, nor will they be scourged with men.
6 May he be like rain coming down upon the fields, like showers watering the earth,	6 Therefore, arrogance has held on to them. They have been covered with their iniquity and impiety.
7 That abundance may flourish in his days, great bounty, till the moon be no more.	7 Their iniquity has proceeded, as if from fat. They have parted from the affection of the heart.
8 May he rule from sea to sea, from the river to the ends of the earth.	8 They have thought and spoken wickedness. They have spoken iniquity in high places.
9 May his foes kneel before him, his enemies lick the dust.	9 They have set their mouth against heaven, and their tongue has traversed the earth.
10 May the kings of Tarshish and the islands bring tribute, the kings of Arabia and Seba offer gifts.	10 Therefore, my people will be converted here, and fullness of days will be found in them.
11 May all kings bow before him, all nations serve him.	11 And they said, “How would God know?” and, “Isn’t there knowledge in high places?”
12 For he rescues the poor when they cry out, the oppressed who have no one to help.	12 Behold, these are sinners, and, abounding in this age, they have obtained riches.
13 He shows pity to the needy and the poor and saves the lives of the poor.	13 And I said: So then, it is without purpose that I have justified my heart and washed my hands among the innocent.
14 From extortion and violence he frees them, for precious is their blood in his sight.	14 And I have been scourged all day long, and I have received my chastisement in the mornings.
15 Long may he live, receiving gold from Arabia, prayed for without cease, blessed day by day.	15 If I were to say that I would explain this: Behold, I would condemn this nation of your sons.
16 May wheat abound in the land, flourish even on the mountain heights. May his fruit increase like Lebanon's, his wheat like the grasses of the land.	16 I considered, so that I might know this. It is a hardship before me,
17 May his name be blessed forever; as long as the sun, may his name endure. May the tribes of the earth give blessings with his name; may all the nations regard him as favored.	17 until I may enter into the Sanctuary of God, and understand it to its last part.
18 Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who alone does wonderful deeds.	18 So, because of deceitfulness, truly, you have placed it before them. While they were being lifted up, you were casting them down.
19 Blessed be his glorious name forever; may all the earth be filled with the LORD'S glory. Amen and amen.	19 How have they been brought to desolation? They have suddenly failed. They have perished because of their iniquity.
20 The end of the psalms of David, son of Jesse.	20 As a dream is to those who awaken, O Lord, so will you reduce their image to nothing in your city.
	21 For my heart has been inflamed, and my temperament has been changed.
	22 And so, I have been reduced to nothing, and I did not know it.
	23 I have become like a beast of burden to you, and I am always with you.
	24 You have held my right hand. And in your will, you have conducted me, and with your glory, you have taken me up.
	25 For what is there for me in heaven? And what do I wish for on earth before you?
	26 My body has failed, and my heart: O God of my heart, and God my portion, into eternity.
	27 For behold, those who put themselves far from you will perish. You have perished all those who fornicate away from you.
	28 But it is good for me to adhere to God, to put my hope in the Lord God, so that I may announce all your prophecies, at the gates of the daughter of Zion.