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Theological Foundations of Ideal Kingship: A Study of the Programmatic Introduction Function and Ring Composition in Psalm 72:1-3

  • Korean Journal of Old Testament Studies
  • Abbr : KJOTS
  • 2026, 32(2), pp.152~187
  • DOI : 10.24333/jkots.2026.32.2.152
  • Publisher : Korean Society of Old Testament Studies
  • Research Area : Humanities > Christian Theology
  • Received : April 17, 2026
  • Accepted : May 6, 2026
  • Published : June 30, 2026

Soon Beom Lee ORD ID 1

1하이델베르크 대학교

Accredited

ABSTRACT

This study analyzes the literary structure and theological function of Psalm 72:1–3 as the programmatic introduction to Psalm 72 as a whole. Through semantic analysis of the key terms מִשְׁפָּט(justice/judgment), צְדָקָה(righteousness), and צֶדֶק(righteousness), this research demonstrates how the chiastic arrangement (vv. 1b–2) and the inclusio (vv. 1, 3) establish the theological foundation of ideal kingship in ancient Israel. The analysis reveals that within this structure, Israel’s king is not an absolute lawgiver who legislates independently, but a mediator who receives מִשְׁפָּט and צְדָקָה from YHWH and administers them among the people. While accommodating the socio-cosmic structure of ancient Near Eastern royal ideology, particularly Egypt’s concept of Maʿat, this theology fundamentally subverts its absolute royal paradigm, in which kings possessed divine legislative authority in their own right. The possessive expressions “your מִשְׁפָּטִים” and “your צְדָקָה” (v. 1) underscore that justice remains YHWH’s exclusive prerogative. Verses 1–3 exhibit sophisticated literary structure. The chiastic arrangement (vv. 1b–2: מִשְׁפָּט– צְדָקָה/ צֶדֶק–מִשְׁפָּט) links God’s granting of justice (v. 1) with the king’s concrete practice of it (v. 2). At the same time, the inclusio formed by צְדָקָה in verses 1 and 3 illustrates this “socio-cosmic” causality: divine justice, mediated through the king’s righteous governance (צֶדֶק, v. 2), inevitably results in cosmic shalom and the restoration of creation’s original order (v. 3). This threefold expansion—divine commission (v. 1), social implementation (v. 2), and cosmic peace (v. 3)—provides the theological framework for the psalm’s subsequent themes, including the protection of the poor (vv. 4, 12–14) and universal dominion (vv. 8–11). Moreover, verses 1–3 form a vast ring composition with the concluding doxology and colophon (vv. 18–20), solemnly demonstrating that earthly kingship is ultimately subordinated to a theocentric vision: the universal manifestation of YHWH’s glory. Consequently, this study proves that Psalm 72 does not merely adopt ancient Near Eastern royal ideology but thoroughly reorganizes it within Yahwistic theology, successfully accomplishing a unique “theocratic transformation”.

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