Psalms 72:10
The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.
Study Note
Study Note
The expansive vision of universal tribute — 'may the kings of Tarshish and of the coastlands render him tribute; may the kings of Sheba and Seba bring gifts' — presents the ideal Davidic king as the center of an eschatological geopolitical order. Tarshish (likely the western Mediterranean) and Sheba and Seba (Arabian and East African kingdoms) represent the four corners of the known world, encompassing the totality of international submission. The Magi narrative of Matthew 2 draws on this imagery, presenting the visit of eastern sages bearing gifts as the fulfillment of Psalm 72's royal horizon. The psalm's hope for global peace and justice under an ideal king has made it the primary template for messianic expectation in Christian liturgy, particularly at Epiphany.
Other Translations
The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall render tribute: The kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.
Kings of Tarshish and of the isles send back a present. Kings of Sheba and Seba a reward bring near.
Let the kings of Tarshish and of the islands come back with offerings; let the kings of Sheba and Seba give of their stores.
Cross References
And they brought every man his present, vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and garments, and armour, and spices, …
And she gave the king an hundred and twenty talents of gold, and of spices very great store, and precious …
And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the Lord, she came …
For the king’s ships went to Tarshish with the servants of Huram: every three years once came the ships of …
Surely the isles shall wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring thy sons from far, their …
The multitude of camels shall cover thee, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all they from Sheba shall come: they …
And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.
Thus saith the Lord, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom …
I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, …
For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, …