Psalms 72:4

72:4 He will defend the oppressed among the people;

he will deliver the children of the poor

and crush the oppressor.

Psalms 72:12-14

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

and the oppressed who have no defender.

72:13 He will take pity on the poor and needy;

the lives of the needy he will save.

72:14 From harm and violence he will defend them;

he will value their lives.


tn Heb “judge [for].”

tn The prefixed verbal form appears to be an imperfect, not a jussive.

tn Heb “sons.”

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.

tn The prefixed verb form is best understood as a defectively written imperfect (see Deut 7:16).

tn Or “redeem their lives.” The verb “redeem” casts the Lord in the role of a leader who protects members of his extended family in times of need and crisis (see Pss 19:14; 69:18).

tn Heb “their blood will be precious in his eyes.”