Psalms 72:12
in Psalms 72For he will deliver the needy who cry out and the afflicted who have no helper.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
For he will deliver the needy when he crieth, And the poor, that hath no helper.
KJV
For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper.
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This verse in Psalms 72
Commentary
11 notes on this verseWe are taught, therefore, to be of good cheer when we are afflicted in the world. We learn that the reason for being of good cheer is this: the world has been conquered and, of course, subjected to him who conquered it. For this reason, all the nations, set free from those who formerly controlled them, serve him, because "he delivered the poor from the mighty" through his own passion, "and the needy who had no helper."
This site's exposition
deliver the needy who cry out
on Psalms 72:12-14
Verse 12 gives the ground of the greatness, rescue. He delivers the needy who cry out, pities the poor, saves the lives of the oppressed, and redeems them from oppression and violence. Their blood is precious in his sight, and that is the measure of the reign.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers1 voice
But while he is explaining the reasons why so great honour is paid Him by kings, and He is served of all nations: "because He has delivered," he says, "the needy man from the mighty, and the poor man, to whom was no helper" [Psalm 72:12]. This needy and poor man is the people of men believing in Him. In this people are also kings adoring Him. For they do not disdain to be needy and poor, that is, humbly confessing sins, and needing the glory of God [Romans 3:23] and the grace of God, in order that this King, Son of the King, may deliver them from the mighty one. For this same mighty one is he who above was called the Slanderer: whom mighty to subdue men to himself, and to hold them bound in captivity, not his virtue did make, but men's sins. The same is himself also called strong; therefore here mighty also. But He that has humbled the slanderer and has entered into the house of the strong man to bind him and to spoil his vessels, [Matthew 12:29] He "has delivered the needy and the poor man." For this neither the virtue of any one could accomplish, nor any just man, nor any Angel. When then there was no helper, by His coming He saved them Himself.
The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices
He will spare the needy that throw themselves on his mercy, and will not be rigorous and severe with them; he will save their souls, and that is all they desire. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Christ is the poor man's King.
For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth,....
The Nineteenth Century2 voices
For he shall deliver the needy. Here is an excellent reason for man's submission to the Lord Christ; it is not because they dread his overwhelming power, but because they are won over by his just and condescending rule. Who would not fear so good a Prince, who makes the needy his peculiar care, and pledges himself to be their deliverer in times of need? When he crieth. He permits them to be so needy as to be driven to cry bitterly for help, but then he hears them, and comes to their aid.
For he shall deliver the needy. Here is an excellent reason for man's submission to the Lord Christ; it is not because they dread his overwhelming power, but because they are won over by his just and condescending rule. Who would not fear so good a Prince, who makes the needy his peculiar care, and pledges himself to be their deliverer in times of need? When he crieth. He permits them to be so needy as to be driven to cry bitterly for help, but then he hears them, and comes to their aid. A child's cry touches a father's heart, and our King is the Father of his people. If we can do no more than cry it will bring omnipotence to our aid. A cry is the native language of a spiritually needy soul; it has done with fine phrases and long orations, and it takes to sobs and moans; and so, indeed, it grasps the most potent of all weapons, for heaven always yields to such artillery. The poor also, and him that hath no helper. The proverb says, "God helps those that help themselves; "but it is yet more true that Jesus helps those who cannot help themselves, nor find help in others. All helpless ones are under the especial care of Zion's compassionate King; let them hasten to put themselves in fellowship with him. Let them look to him, for he is looking for them.
4 more voices on this verse
The Nineteenth Century4 voices
'For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper.''Psalm 72:12. THIS IS A ROYAL PSALM. In it you see predictions of Christ, not upon the cross, but upon the throne. In reference to his manhood as well as to his godhead, he is exalted and extolled and very high. He is the king'the king's son, truly with absolute sway, stretching his scepter from sea to sea, and 'from the river even unto the ends of the earth.' It is remarkable that in this psalm which so fully celebrates the extent of his realm and the sovereignty of his government, there is so much attention drawn to the minuteness of his care for the lowly, his personal sympathy with the poor, and the large benefits they are to enjoy from his kingdom. Where Christ is highest and we are lowest, and the two meet, there is 'glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill towards men.' I might almost raise the question whether this psalm is more a tribute of homage to the Messiah, or a treasury of comfort for his poor subjects. We will compound the controversy by saying that as Christ here is highly exalted, so his poor needy ones are highly blessed, and while it is a blessing to them that he is exalted, it is an exaltation to him that they are blessed. Turning to our text without further preface, we shall note in it the special objects of great grace. 'He shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper;' then, the special blessings which are allotted to them. Here it is said that he shall deliver them, but all through the psalms there are scattered promises full of instruction and consolation all meant for them. And, lastly, the special season which God has appointed for the dispensing of these favors. 'He shall deliver the needy when he crieth.' That shall be God's time. When it is our time to cry, it shall be God's time to deliver.
'For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper.''Psalm 72:12. THIS IS A ROYAL PSALM. In it you see predictions of Christ, not upon the cross, but upon the throne. In reference to his manhood as well as to his godhead, he is exalted and extolled and very high. He is the king'the king's son, truly with absolute sway, stretching his scepter from sea to sea, and 'from the river even unto the ends of the earth.'
He shall deliver the needy when he crieth - The poor and the rich shall, in the administration of justice, be equally respected; and the strong shall not be permitted to oppress the weak.
A commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
proposed
For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth - The sufferer; the down-trodden; the oppressed. See the notes at Psa 72:4. Compare the notes at Isa 61:1. The poor also ... - All who have no protector; all who are exposed to injustice and wrong from others. This is everywhere declared to be the characteristic of the reign of the Messiah. See the notes at Isa 11:4.
How the passage was read
What the Jewish commentators add
On the verses either side of this one
may all nations serve him (I Kings:24f.): “And all the [inhabitants of] the earth sought Solomon’s presence etc. And each one would bring his gift.”
This section is reception history: how the passage was read and kept in the Jewish tradition. Where a reading parts from an essential of the Christian faith, the section says so at that point.
Texts and citation data: Sefaria; each excerpt follows its version’s licence. 5 further sources are cited on this chapter that carry no English text this site may quote or only restate the verse.
The words behind it
8 Hebrew wordsEvery Hebrew word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Hebrew | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| כִּֽי־ | ki- | for | H3588 → | 4482 times |
| יַ֭צִּיל | yatzil | he will deliver | H5337 → | 212 times |
| אֶבְי֣וֹן | ʾevyon | [the] needy | H34 → | 61 times |
| מְשַׁוֵּ֑עַ | meshavea' | [who] cries for help | H7768 → | 21 times |
| וְ֝עָנִ֗י | veani | and [the] poor | H6041 → | 73 times |
| וְֽאֵין־ | veein- | and not | H369 → | 789 times |
| עֹזֵ֥ר | ʾozer | a helper | H5826 → | 81 times |
| לֽוֹ׃ | lo | [belongs] to him |
כִּֽי־for
ki-H3588 →4482 times
יַ֭צִּילhe will deliver
yatzilH5337 →212 times
אֶבְי֣וֹן[the] needy
ʾevyonH34 →61 times
מְשַׁוֵּ֑עַ[who] cries for help
meshavea'H7768 →21 times
וְ֝עָנִ֗יand [the] poor
veaniH6041 →73 times
וְֽאֵין־and not
veein-H369 →789 times
עֹזֵ֥רa helper
ʾozerH5826 →81 times
לֽוֹ׃[belongs] to him
lo
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
Hebrews 7:25Therefore He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them.
it leads to
- Romans 8:34
Who is there to condemn us? For Christ Jesus, who died, and more than that was raised to life, is at the right hand of God—and He is interceding for us.
- 1 John 2:1–2
My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate before the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.
- 1 Timothy 2:5
For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
- Jude 1:24
Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you unblemished in His glorious presence, with great joy—
- John 14:6
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
- Romans 8:34
Through
Psalms 10:17You have heard, O LORD, the desire of the humble; You will strengthen their hearts. You will incline Your ear,
it leads to
- Psalms 145:19
He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him; He hears their cry and saves them.
- 2 Chronicles 34:27
because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before God when you heard His words against this place and against its people, and because you have humbled yourself before Me and you have…
- Psalms 145:19
Through
Psalms 102:17He will turn toward the prayer of the destitute; He will not despise their prayer.
it leads to
- Nehemiah 1:6
let Your eyes be open and Your ears attentive to hear the prayer that I, Your servant, now pray before You day and night for Your servants, the Israelites. I confess the sins that…
- Nehemiah 1:6
Where this verse is studied
On this page
Studies4
About Psalms
This page draws on 9 works. Open the list of works
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Augustine of Hippo, Exposition on Psalm 72; Charles Spurgeon, The Treasury of David, Vol. 3; Charles Spurgeon, The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit, Sermon No. 1037: “The Poor Man's Friend” (lightly modernized text, CCEL edition); John Gill, Exposition of the Old Testament; John Gill, Exposition of the Old Testament (1748-1763); Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible and Origen of Alexandria, COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 6:286.