Psalm 45 17

Psalm 45:17 kjv

I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations: therefore shall the people praise thee for ever and ever.

Psalm 45:17 nkjv

I will make Your name to be remembered in all generations; Therefore the people shall praise You forever and ever.

Psalm 45:17 niv

I will perpetuate your memory through all generations; therefore the nations will praise you for ever and ever.

Psalm 45:17 esv

I will cause your name to be remembered in all generations; therefore nations will praise you forever and ever.

Psalm 45:17 nlt

I will bring honor to your name in every generation.
Therefore, the nations will praise you forever and ever.

Psalm 45 verses

Psalm 45 17 Meaning

Psalm 45:17 conveys a divine promise and declaration that the name, character, and authority of the King (the Messiah) will be perpetually remembered across all future generations. As a direct result of this enduring remembrance, all peoples and nations throughout the world will be compelled to offer Him continuous and everlasting praise and adoration. This verse serves as the doxological conclusion to a messianic prophecy, highlighting the eternal nature of Christ's kingdom and the universal homage He will receive.

Psalm 45 17 Context

Psalm 45 is uniquely titled "A Maskil of the Sons of Korah. A Song of Loves." While seemingly a celebratory wedding hymn for an Israelite king, its language quickly transcends that of an earthly monarch, elevating it to a profound messianic prophecy. It begins by praising the king's eloquence and beauty (vv. 2-3), his righteousness and might in battle (vv. 4-5), before declaring his throne to be "forever and ever" and his scepter a "scepter of righteousness" (v. 6). This king is even addressed as "God" (Elohim, v. 6) and anointed "with the oil of gladness more than Your companions" (v. 7). The psalm then describes the queen (representing the Church, the bride of Christ) and her adornment (vv. 9-15), anticipating future descendants and lasting fame. Verse 17 acts as a capstone, shifting the focus from the earthly details to the King's universal and eternal renown and the perpetual praise he will receive. It directly links the king's present glory and future progeny to his everlasting memory and the homage of all nations, securing his reign for all time.

Psalm 45 17 Word analysis

• I will make: (Hebrew: 'azkîrāh, אזכירה) This is the Hiphil (causative) imperfect of the verb zakhar (זָכַר), meaning "to remember." The form indicates active causation. The subject is debated, but given the ultimate fulfillment in Christ, the "I" is best understood as God Himself. It signifies God's active, divine agency in ensuring His King's (the Messiah's) fame and enduring presence. It is a promise and a decree from the Most High to safeguard the Messiah's memory and reputation.
• thy name: (Hebrew: shimkhā, שִׁמְךָ) "Name" in biblical usage goes beyond a mere appellation. It encapsulates the person's entire being, character, reputation, authority, and presence. "Thy name" refers to the King's (Messiah's) essence—His identity, glory, authority, and redemptive work. It signifies His person and all He represents.
• to be remembered: Implied in the Hiphil form of 'azkîrāh. It signifies not merely recollection, but a continuous, living acknowledgment and celebration, preventing His character and deeds from ever fading into oblivion. This remembrance is divinely secured and perpetuated.
• in all generations: (Hebrew: ləḏōr wāḏōr, לְדֹר וָדֹר) Literally "to generation and generation," this is a powerful Hebrew idiom denoting absolute perpetuity, endlessly throughout time and history, from one era to the next without cessation. It emphasizes the enduring and timeless nature of the King's renown.
• therefore: (Hebrew: ʿal-kēn, עַל־כֵּן) A strong conjunction expressing a logical consequence or direct cause-and-effect relationship. It indicates that the subsequent praise is a direct and inevitable result of the King's divinely secured, enduring remembrance and exalted name.
• shall the people: (Hebrew: ʿammîm, עַמִּים) This is the plural form for "peoples" or "nations," distinguishing them from "Israel" alone. This inclusion of all nations or Gentiles signifies the universal scope of the Messiah's kingdom and the global nature of His praise, expanding beyond ethnic boundaries to embrace all humanity.
• praise thee: (Hebrew: yōḏûḵā, יוֹדוּךָ) Hiphil imperfect of yādah (יָדָה), which means "to thank," "to confess," "to laud," "to praise." It implies worshipful acknowledgment, public confession, and grateful adoration. It is a volitional act of homage and honor.
• for ever and ever: (Hebrew: ʿôlām wāʿeḏ, עוֹלָם וָעֶד) This is a super-idiomatic expression for absolute eternity, an indefinite and limitless future. It emphasizes the ceaseless, unending nature of the praise that the Messiah will receive. This praise will continue eternally.

Words-group Analysis

• "I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations": This phrase reveals divine initiative and sovereignty. God pledges to actively ensure that the Messiah's character and glory are perpetually preserved and recognized across all time. It highlights God's commitment to His Son's honor.
• "therefore shall the people praise thee": This establishes a clear cause-and-effect. Because God will perpetually honor and preserve the King's name, a direct and natural consequence is the outpouring of worship from humanity. This universal praise is the intended divine response to the King's glorious and enduring identity.
• "the people praise thee for ever and ever": This concludes the psalm by magnifying the scope and duration of the King's dominion and the worship due to Him. It confirms that the praise is not limited to a particular group or time, but encompasses all nations (Gentiles) for all eternity, signifying the Messianic kingdom's global and everlasting reach.

Psalm 45 17 Bonus section

• Psalm 45, and specifically verses like this, is foundational for understanding the person and work of the Messiah (Jesus Christ). Its messianic interpretation is strongly supported by the New Testament, notably Hebrews 1:8-9, which directly applies Psalm 45:6-7 to Jesus, thereby validating the messianic scope of the entire psalm.
• The progression of the psalm from earthly king to divine ruler, and then to universal, eternal praise, shows the Spirit's unfolding revelation concerning Christ.
• The phrase "in all generations" (לְדֹר וָדֹר) underscores divine faithfulness through covenant promises, linking the Abrahamic blessing (Gen 12:3, "all families...blessed") and Davidic covenant (2 Sam 7:16, "thy house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever") to their ultimate fulfillment in Christ.
• The Psalmist, inspired by the Holy Spirit, is articulating a truth greater than the immediate royal wedding, a divine purpose that extends far into eternity and encompasses all humanity.

Psalm 45 17 Commentary

Psalm 45:17 forms a powerful doxological climax, shifting the focus from the initial regal context to an enduring, divine declaration concerning the Messiah. It asserts God's personal guarantee to perpetuate the glory and essence ("name") of His chosen King throughout every generation of human existence. This divine act is the foundational premise ("therefore") for the ensuing universal praise. Crucially, it's not merely "Israel" but "the peoples"—the gentile nations—who will perpetually worship this King. This prophetic scope highlights the ultimate global reach of Christ's kingdom, contrasting with exclusive Old Covenant ethnic boundaries, and foresees the multi-national Church of the New Covenant. The "praise for ever and ever" emphasizes the unchanging, unending nature of the Messiah's reign and the eternal adoration He will receive as a result of His divine character and salvific work. This verse secures the King's enduring fame and universal, unending homage as an act of divine decree.