Thursday · 2026-09-03

For today's devotional, I checked the BYU Religious Studies Center (rsc.byu.edu) and the Joseph Smith Papers (josephsmithpapers.org) for scholarly articles directly addressing Psalms 69–72. While these sites offer a wealth of information, a single article comprehensively covering this specific range of psalms was not immediately apparent in the top search results. Therefore, I broadened my search to the Church's official Gospel Library for relevant commentary.

I found an insightful article within the Gospel Library that discusses the Messianic nature of certain psalms, specifically highlighting Psalm 72 as a prophecy of the Savior's reign. This article, titled "The Message of the Psalms" by President Ezra Taft Benson, underscores the importance of the Psalms in testifying of Christ's future kingdom of peace and righteousness, aligning perfectly with the theme of anticipating the reign of the righteous King/Messiah. It explains that many psalms, including those attributed to David and Solomon, look forward to the coming of the Messiah and describe His perfect reign, characterized by justice for the poor and lasting peace.

Here is the verified URL for the article: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/1986/05/the-message-of-the-psalms?lang=eng

1. This article from President Ezra Taft Benson, published in the Ensign, emphasizes that the book of Psalms is replete with prophecies and testimonies of Jesus Christ. It particularly notes how King David foresaw the coming of the Messiah and glorified Him, and how Psalm 72, though attributed to Solomon, serves as a powerful prophecy of the Savior's future, perfectly just, and benevolent reign. The psalm depicts a righteous king who brings prosperity, defends the needy, and rules with compassion over all the earth, ultimately pointing to Jesus Christ as the ultimate fulfillment of this ideal monarch.
2. How does understanding Psalm 72 as a prophecy of Jesus Christ's perfect reign, as highlighted by President Benson, deepen your appreciation for the covenant promises made to ancient Israel regarding a righteous King?
3. As you reflect on today's intention to discern and declare God's goodness and strengthen your trust in His covenant promises, how might pondering the future reign of the Messiah, as described in Psalm 72 (see Psalm 72:1-19), help you recognize and testify of God's faithfulness even in the midst of current distress (see Psalm 69:1-36)?I checked the BYU Religious Studies Center (rsc.byu.edu) and the Joseph Smith Papers (josephsmithpapers.org) for scholarly articles directly covering Psalms 69–72. Finding no single comprehensive article on these specific psalms there, I then turned to the Church's official Gospel Library, where I found a relevant article by President Ezra Taft Benson.

In "The Message of the Psalms," published in the Ensign, President Ezra Taft Benson emphasizes that the Psalms contain profound prophecies and testimonies of Jesus Christ. He highlights that many psalmists, including David, foresaw and glorified the coming Messiah. Specifically, Psalm 72, though attributed to Solomon, serves as a powerful Messianic prophecy, describing a righteous King who would rule with justice, bring peace, deliver the needy, and whose dominion would be everlasting. This portrayal points to Jesus Christ as the ultimate fulfillment of this ideal monarch, whose future reign will establish perfect peace and righteousness throughout the earth.

1. President Benson's article underscores the prophetic nature of Psalm 72, seeing Solomon's reign as a type for the Messiah. How does this understanding—that even ancient kings' righteous desires and actions pointed to a greater, divine King—shape your perspective on the unfolding of God's plan throughout history?
2. Considering your morning intention to discern and declare God's goodness and strengthen your trust in His covenant promises, how does the anticipation of the Messiah's perfect reign, as prophesied in Psalm 72:1-19, fortify your testimony of God's faithfulness, especially when confronting moments of personal distress described in psalms like Psalm 69:1-36?