Psalms – Chapter 71

Old Testament • 20 Verses

Chapter Summary

Chapter 71 of Psalms begins: "A psalm on Solomon." The chapter centers on Solomon, David and Jesse. Across its 20 verses, two threads run through the text: justice and care for the poor and God's kingdom and kingship. The Church invites us to read this chapter within the whole sweep of salvation history, where every page points toward Christ.

1A psalm on Solomon.

2Give to the king thy judgment, O God, and to the king's son thy justice: To judge thy people with justice, and thy poor with judgment.

3Let the mountains receive peace for the people: and the hills justice.

4He shall judge the poor of the people, and he shall save the children of the poor: and he shall humble the oppressor.

5And he shall continue with the sun and before the moon, throughout all generations.

6He shall come down like rain upon the fleece; and as showers falling gently upon the earth.

7In his days shall justice spring up, and abundance of peace, till the moon be taken away.

8And he shall rule from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.

9Before him the Ethiopians shall fall down: and his enemies shall lick the ground.

10The kings of Tharsis and the islands shall offer presents: the kings of the Arabians and of Saba shall bring gifts:

11And all kings of the earth shall adore him: all nations shall serve him.

12For he shall deliver the poor from the mighty: and the needy that had no helper.

13He shall spare the poor and needy: and he shall save the souls of the poor.

14He shall redeem their souls from usuries and iniquity: and their names shall be honourable in his sight.

15And he shall live, and to him shall be given of the gold of Arabia, for him they shall always adore: they shall bless him all the day.

16And there shall be a firmament on the earth on the tops of mountains, above Libanus shall the fruit thereof be exalted: and they of the city shall flourish like the grass of the earth.

17Let his name be blessed for evermore: his name continueth before the sun. And in him shall all the tribes of the earth be blessed: all nations shall magnify him.

18Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who alone doth wonderful things.

19And blessed be the name of his majesty for ever: and the whole earth shall be filled with his majesty. So be it. So be it.

20The praises of David, the son of Jesse, are ended.

Important Verses in Psalms 71

“Give to the king thy judgment, O God, and to the king's son thy justice: To judge thy people with justice, and thy poor with judgment.”

Psalms 71:2

“In his days shall justice spring up, and abundance of peace, till the moon be taken away.”

Psalms 71:7

“He shall spare the poor and needy: and he shall save the souls of the poor.”

Psalms 71:13

“Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who alone doth wonderful things.”

Psalms 71:18

Historical Context

As a Old Testament book, Psalms was written with god's people at prayer in every age in view. Chapter 71 of 150 stands in the central portion of the book, where decisive events or teachings take shape. It is a liturgical poem composed for Temple worship and personal prayer with 20 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Historical attention falls on Solomon, David and Jesse, the principal figures named in this chapter. The passage starts with these words: "A psalm on Solomon." The chapter ends with: "The praises of David, the son of Jesse, are ended. " The wider setting of Psalms is this: The 150 Psalms are the inspired prayer book of Israel and of the Church, spanning every human emotion—praise, lament, thanksgiving, repentance, and hope. Catholic tradition dates the book to the period described in its introduction: Composed across nearly a millennium, from David (c. 1000 BC) to after the exile.

Who Wrote It

David is credited with many psalms; others by Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, Moses, and anonymous psalmists

When It Was Written

Composed across nearly a millennium, from David (c. 1000 BC) to after the exile

Catholic Commentary

This psalm is a prayer-poem that Israel sang in Temple worship and private devotion. A pivotal line is verse 2: "Give to the king thy judgment, O God, and to the king's son thy justice: To judge thy people with justice, and thy poor with judgment." The passage repeatedly touches on justice and care for the poor.

Catholic exegesis reads Psalms 71 within the unity of Scripture and Tradition. the Psalms are the prayer book of the Church, prayed daily in the Liturgy of the Hours (CIC 2585-2589). St. Jerome and other Fathers of the Church saw in texts like this a preparation for or reflection of Christ, the center of revelation (CIC 2772).

For Christians today, the chapter's lesson is clear: God defends the poor and the oppressed, and calls His people to act with justice.. The Church invites us to receive this word not as antiquarian information but as living Scripture proclaimed at Mass and prayed in lectio divina.

Main Teachings

  • ✓God defends the poor and the oppressed, and calls His people to act with justice.
  • ✓God's kingdom is not of this world; every earthly throne stands under His eternal reign.
  • ✓Sin has real consequences, but God's judgment always aims at conversion and restoration.

People in This Chapter

Solomon1 mentionDavid1 mentionJesse1 mention

Reflection for Today

Sacred Scripture presents Psalms Chapter 71 as a unique stage in salvation history, not merely as background to other books.

St. Augustine and other Fathers of the Church meditated on texts like this one, seeing in them instruction for the spiritual life. the Psalms are the prayer book of the Church, prayed daily in the Liturgy of the Hours (CIC 2585-2589). The passage calls believers to grasp that God invites us to bring all our emotions to Him.

Consider praying with this chapter again at day's end, offering God gratitude for one insight received. The Church encourages daily contact with Scripture (CIC 302) so that Christ's mind may be formed in us.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Psalms Chapter 71 about?

Psalms 71 contains 20 verses. It opens with "A psalm on Solomon." and closes with "The praises of David, the son of Jesse, are ended. ". The book as a whole is liturgical poetry and prayer.

What is a key verse in Psalms 71?

One of the most significant verses is verse 2: "Give to the king thy judgment, O God, and to the king's son thy justice: To judge thy people with justice, and thy poor with judgment." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Psalms Chapter 71?

This chapter mentions Solomon, David, Jesse.

Who wrote Psalms and when?

David is credited with many psalms; others by Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, Moses, and anonymous psalmists. Composed across nearly a millennium, from David (c. 1000 BC) to after the exile.

Related Chapters

1 Kings 12Shares people and themes with this chapter1 Chronicles 29Shares people and themes with this chapter2 Chronicles 10Shares people and themes with this chapter

Prayers Related to This Chapter

🙏Prayer for the Poor🙏Prayer for the World🙏The Our Father🙏Novena to Christ the King

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