John Calvin Commentary Psalms 72:20

"The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended. BOOK III" — Psalms 72:20 (ASV)

The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended. We have previously observed that Solomon added this for good reason (if we may suppose he composed this psalm in poetic form), not only so that he might avoid depriving his father of the praise due to him, but also to stir up the Church more earnestly to pour out before God the same prayers David had continued to offer even with his last breath.

Let us then remember that it is our solemn duty to pray to God, with both sincere earnestness and unwearied perseverance, that He would maintain and defend the Church under the government of His Son. The name of Jesse, David’s father, seems to be introduced here to recall David’s origin, so that God’s grace might appear more illustrious in having raised from the sheepfold a man of humble birth—the youngest and least esteemed among his brothers—and in having advanced him to such a high degree of honor as to make him king over the chosen people.