Psalm 72:16

Psalm 72:16, in plain English

The land will be so abundantly productive that grain will wave on hilltops, forests will flourish, and people will multiply and thrive like grass.

Why it's here

You're back to that beautiful connection between the ruler's righteousness and the land's flourishing. This is what the people dreamed of: enough food, safety, growth. Not luxury for the elite, but abundance for everyone—'grain atop the hills' means even marginal land will produce.

Who's speaking

The prayer painting the vision of what a just kingdom actually looks like in daily, tangible terms.

Where it sits in the story

This is the world God intends—creation flourishing under righteous stewardship. It's what Eden was, what the kingdom of God will fully be, and what we're called to work toward now through justice and care for creation.

The scholarly reading

The king's reign will produce material abundance—grain throughout the land and flourishing forests—such that even marginal lands become productive, and human populations thrive.

Language and setting

The agricultural abundance (abundance of grain sways on hills, abundant fruit) reflects the promised-land ideal where water and fertility characterize divine blessing. The comparison to 'forests of Lebanon' invokes the most celebrated timber and vegetation in the ancient Mediterranean. The metaphor of people as grass suggests both numerousness and tenderness—the population is numerous and yet requires nourishment and protection.

Voice

The psalmist articulates the material consequences of just governance: when oppression ceases and cosmic order is restored, agricultural productivity increases naturally.

Significance

This echoes the abundance promised at Sinai (Deuteronomy 28:3-6) and anticipates both the disciples' experience of miraculous provision (John 6:1-14) and the eschatological banquet where all hunger ends (Revelation 7:16-17).

14He will redeem them from oppression and violence, for their blood is precious in his sight.

15Long may he live! May gold from Sheba be given him. May people ever pray for him; may they bless him all day long.

16May there be an abundance of grain in the land; may it sway atop the hills. May its fruit trees flourish like the forests of Lebanon, the people of its cities like the grass of the field.

17May his name endure forever; may his name continue as long as the sun shines. In him may all nations be blessed; may they call him blessed.

18Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds.

Read all of Psalm 72 — A prayer for Solomon that reaches past Solomon. This king will defend the poor, crush the oppressor, and rule from sea to sea.