Psalms 72:9-12

72:9 Before him the coastlands will bow down,

and his enemies will lick the dust.

72:10 The kings of Tarshish and the coastlands will offer gifts;

the kings of Sheba and Seba will bring tribute.

72:11 All kings will bow down to him;

all nations will serve him.

72:12 For he will rescue the needy when they cry out for help,

and the oppressed who have no defender.


tn Or “islands.” The term here refers metonymically to those people who dwell in these regions.

sn As they bow down before him, it will appear that his enemies are licking the dust.

sn Tarshish was a distant western port, the precise location of which is uncertain.

sn Sheba was located in Arabia.

sn Seba was located in Africa.

tn The singular is representative. The typical needy individual here represents the entire group.

tn The singular is representative. The typical oppressed individual here represents the entire group.