Bible Commentaries

MESSIAH’S REIGN

‘He shall have dominion.’

Psalms 72:8

In all probability Solomon was the writer of this psalm. A Psalm of Solomon. It ends at the 17th verse. Then follows a short doxology, which in its breadth of prospect, in its mingled patriotism and humanity, and also in its grandeur of language, recalls David to our mind. The concluding verse was no doubt added after his death by another hand. Our psalm contains a brief invocation. Give the king Thy judgment, O God, and Thy righteousness unto the king’s son; then the main body of the psalm, fittingly entitled Messiah’s Reign; and in conclusion the doxology of two verses, which is remarkable because it sees in the God of Israel the God whose glory is to fill the whole earth.

Here we find—

I. The characteristics of Messiah’s reign.

1. Righteousness.

2. Peace.

3. Justice.

II. The effects of Messiah’s reign.

1. Perseverance.

2. Prosperity.

3. Refreshing.

4. Piety.

III. The extent of Messiah’s reign.

Worldwide.

Illustrations

(1) ‘Madagascar illustrates the power of genuine religion to make heroes and saints, and to give fortitude and perseverance to those who believe. After suffering terrible persecution, in which thousands perished, the little church of Christ came out of the storm into calmer times, and, won by the power of Christian example, the Queen summoned her officers and leaders about her, and said, “I shall not lean upon nor trust again in the idols, for they are blocks of wood; but upon God and Jesus Christ do I now lean.”’

(2) ‘The teaching of the Gospel, and especially of the Sermon on the Mount, is clear as to the humanity with which we are to treat one another; and that not as an impulse of charity, but in obedience to the principles of justice: “He who will introduce into public affairs the principles of primitive Christianity will change the face of the world” (Benjamin Franklin). But we are far off from that yet. The example which professedly Christian nations have set the heathen makes us wonder, not that there have been so few conversions, but rather that there have been any conversions at all. “Whether adventurers have gone before or have followed the missionary, their influence has caused a blight. Whale fishermen in Tahiti and Hawaii, convicts in Tasmania, kidnappers in Melanesia, slave traders in the Congo, opium dealers in China, and whisky vendors among the Indian tribes of North America, all have proved a curse. It is impossible to exaggerate the hindrances which have been thrown in the way of the Gospel by these influences.”’