Psalms 78:72
So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands.
Study Note
Study Note
The summary of David's reign — 'he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands' — provides the Psalter's most concentrated statement of what ideal leadership looks like. The two qualities paired are moral integrity ('tom levav' — wholeness of heart) and practical competence ('tevunot kappayv' — skill of hands) — character and capacity, virtue and ability. The verse concludes Psalm 78's long historical retrospective of Israel's failures, ending on the resolution of God choosing David from the sheepfold (verse 70) to be shepherd of Jacob — the pastoral metaphor of leadership dominant in Ezekiel 34 and John 10. Jesus's self-description as the Good Shepherd who knows his sheep and lays down his life (John 10:14-15) is the messianic completion of the Davidic ideal described in this verse.
Other Translations
So he was their shepherd according to the integrity of his heart, And guided them by the skilfulness of his hands.
And he ruleth them according to the integrity of his heart, And by the skilfulness of his hands leadeth them!
So he gave them food with an upright heart, guiding them by the wisdom of his hands.
Cross References
And David reigned over all Israel; and David executed judgment and justice unto all his people.
And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee …
Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for …
And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged; and they feared the king: for they saw …
And if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, in integrity of heart, and in uprightness, to …
Because David did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord, and turned not aside from any thing …
When I shall receive the congregation I will judge uprightly.
I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto thee, O Lord, will I sing.
I will early destroy all the wicked of the land; that I may cut off all wicked doers from the …
And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel …