Discovery BoxPsalms 72:2 
Context72:2 Then he will judge 1 your people fairly,
and your oppressed ones 2 equitably.
Psalms 72:12-14
Context72:12 For he will rescue the needy 3 when they cry out for help,
and the oppressed 4 who have no defender.
72:13 He will take pity 5 on the poor and needy;
the lives of the needy he will save.
72:14 From harm and violence he will defend them; 6
he will value their lives. 7
1 tn The prefixed verbal form appears to be an imperfect, not a jussive.
2 sn These people are called God’s oppressed ones because he is their defender (see Pss 9:12, 18; 10:12; 12:5).
3 tn The singular is representative. The typical needy individual here represents the entire group.
4 tn The singular is representative. The typical oppressed individual here represents the entire group.
5 tn The prefixed verb form is best understood as a defectively written imperfect (see Deut 7:16).
6 tn Or “redeem their lives.” The verb “redeem” casts the
7 tn Heb “their blood will be precious in his eyes.”
