“He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor.”
The affirmation that the king will defend the needy and crush the oppressor articulates that righteous kingship involves both protection of the helpless and elimination of wickedness. The defense of the needy and the crushing of the oppressor represent the dual dimensions of justice: protection and judgment. This verse emphasizes that righteous rule requires active intervention against injustice.
Church Fathers on Psalms 72:4
1. “For Salomon” indeed this Psalm's title is fore-noted: but things are spoken of therein which could not apply to that Salomon king of Israel after the flesh, according to those things which holy Scripture speaks concerning him: but they can most pertinently apply to the Lord Christ. Whence it is perceived, that the very word Salomon is used in a figurative sense, so that in him Christ is to be taken. For Salomon is interpreted peace-maker: and on this account such a word…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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