This verse inspires us to trust God’s provision of both natural and spiritual blessing, reminding us that genuine peace flourishes when founded on righteousness.
“Let the mountains bring peace to the people, And the hills, in righteousness.” (v.3) describes a majestic scene where even the lofty peaks of the land contribute to the blessing of God’s people. In ancient Israel, mountains often served as natural fortresses and boundaries, underscoring protection and stability. By imploring these “mountains” to “bring peace,” the psalmist highlights divine security and wholeness coming from above. The Hebrew word for peace, “shalom,” carries the idea of unhindered fellowship and prosperity, meaning that this peace extends beyond mere lack of conflict and points toward vibrant well-being under God’s guidance. This psalm is traditionally attributed to Solomon, the son of King David who reigned over Israel from around 971 to 931 BC as the third monarch of the united kingdom. In Solomon’s day, Israel was blessed with material prosperity and relative peace, fulfilling part of the ideal expressed in the psalm.
When the text says, “And the hills, in righteousness” (v.3), it connects the concept of peace with a moral and just foundation. “Righteousness” here refers to the right ordering of life according to God’s standard, leading to true harmony within the community. Though mountains and hills are literal geographical features, they symbolize the overarching governance of a king who ensures justice. Psalm 72 has often been understood as a portrait of God’s ultimate King—the Messiah—who will perfectly embody righteousness and bring lasting peace to the earth (see Matthew 21:5 and Zechariah 9:9 for New Testament connections). In this sense, believers look toward Jesus Christ, the descendant of David, who both fulfilled and will yet fully accomplish the vision of peace and righteousness set forth in this psalm.
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Psalms 72:3 meaning
“Let the mountains bring peace to the people, And the hills, in righteousness.” (v.3) describes a majestic scene where even the lofty peaks of the land contribute to the blessing of God’s people. In ancient Israel, mountains often served as natural fortresses and boundaries, underscoring protection and stability. By imploring these “mountains” to “bring peace,” the psalmist highlights divine security and wholeness coming from above. The Hebrew word for peace, “shalom,” carries the idea of unhindered fellowship and prosperity, meaning that this peace extends beyond mere lack of conflict and points toward vibrant well-being under God’s guidance. This psalm is traditionally attributed to Solomon, the son of King David who reigned over Israel from around 971 to 931 BC as the third monarch of the united kingdom. In Solomon’s day, Israel was blessed with material prosperity and relative peace, fulfilling part of the ideal expressed in the psalm.
When the text says, “And the hills, in righteousness” (v.3), it connects the concept of peace with a moral and just foundation. “Righteousness” here refers to the right ordering of life according to God’s standard, leading to true harmony within the community. Though mountains and hills are literal geographical features, they symbolize the overarching governance of a king who ensures justice. Psalm 72 has often been understood as a portrait of God’s ultimate King—the Messiah—who will perfectly embody righteousness and bring lasting peace to the earth (see Matthew 21:5 and Zechariah 9:9 for New Testament connections). In this sense, believers look toward Jesus Christ, the descendant of David, who both fulfilled and will yet fully accomplish the vision of peace and righteousness set forth in this psalm.