Psalm 72 17

Psalm 72:17 kjv

His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him blessed.

Psalm 72:17 nkjv

His name shall endure forever; His name shall continue as long as the sun. And men shall be blessed in Him; All nations shall call Him blessed.

Psalm 72:17 niv

May his name endure forever; may it continue as long as the sun. Then all nations will be blessed through him, and they will call him blessed.

Psalm 72:17 esv

May his name endure forever, his fame continue as long as the sun! May people be blessed in him, all nations call him blessed!

Psalm 72:17 nlt

May the king's name endure forever;
may it continue as long as the sun shines.
May all nations be blessed through him
and bring him praise.

Psalm 72 verses

Psalm 72 17 Meaning

Psalm 72:17 expresses a profound prayer and prophecy concerning the ideal king's reign, pointing ultimately to the Messiah. It anticipates an eternal dominion where the king's name and legacy will endure perpetually, unaffected by the passage of time, lasting as long as the very sun in the sky. Furthermore, it foresees a universal impact of this king, where all humanity, represented by "people" and "nations," will find blessing and prosperity through him, and in turn, recognize and affirm his blessedness. This verse encapsulates the king's boundless scope of influence, both in duration and extent, bringing redemptive benefits to the entire world.

Psalm 72 17 Context

Psalm 72 is a "royal psalm," likely a prayer by David for his son Solomon, or possibly composed by Solomon himself for his own reign. It describes the ideal king—his righteous character, his compassionate rule for the poor and oppressed, and the flourishing of peace and prosperity under his governance. While initially referring to an earthly king, the grandeur of the language and the extent of the promised reign far exceed the capabilities of any human monarch, even Solomon. Thus, it functions as a messianic prophecy, pointing forward to the ultimate, righteous King, the Messiah, Jesus Christ. This verse (72:17) forms a climax, elevating the prayer to a vision of universal and eternal dominion, preparing the way for the doxology at the end of Book Two of Psalms (Ps 72:18-19).

Psalm 72 17 Word analysis

• May his name endure forever:

  • "May": The initial "May" reflects the supplicatory nature of the psalm, as a prayer for the king's ideal reign, yet it carries the force of a confident prophetic declaration.
  • "his name" (שְׁמוֹ, shəmô): In biblical thought, "name" represents the full essence, character, reputation, authority, and active presence of an individual. For the king, it signifies his very being and all that he represents. For the Messiah, it points to his divine identity and glorious person.
  • "endure" (יֵבֵר, yevēr): The Hebrew verb is related to "beget" or "produce offspring," implying continuity through progeny, a lasting legacy, or flourishing. In this context, it emphasizes the perpetual and ever-flourishing nature of the king's reputation and dynasty, especially as applied to the Davidic covenant and the Messiah.
  • "forever" (לְעוֹלָ֔ם, ləʻôlām): Signifies perpetuity, eternity, and without end. This directly contrasts with the transient nature of human reigns, asserting an eternal duration for the promised kingdom.

• may it continue as long as the sun:

  • "continue" (יִנּוֹן, yinnōn): This is a rarer verb, related to "flourish" or "to grow up," echoing the idea of vitality and persistence over time. It reinforces the concept of perpetual existence and ongoing vibrancy.
  • "as long as the sun" (לִפְנֵי־שֶׁ֫מֶשׁ, lifnê-shamesh – literally "before the sun" or "in the presence of the sun"): This is a powerful metaphor for absolute permanence and cosmic durability. As long as the established cosmic order exists (symbolized by the enduring sun), the king's name/reign will also exist. This is a common biblical expression for eternity and immutability (Ps 89:36-37). It suggests the king's influence predates, and continues alongside, the very order of creation.

• May people be blessed through him; may all nations call him blessed:

  • "people" / "nations" (כָל־גּוֹיִ֑ם, kāl-gôyim): This plural term encompasses all ethnic groups and peoples beyond Israel, indicating a universal scope of blessing. It directly fulfills the Abrahamic covenant that "all peoples on earth will be blessed" through his seed (Gen 12:3, 22:18).
  • "be blessed through him" (וְיִתְבָּרְכ֣וּ בֹ֣ו, wəyitbārekû bô): The verb yitbārekû is reflexive/passive, implying that people will find themselves blessed or bless themselves (meaning they acknowledge his blessing upon them) by associating with or relying upon this king. The phrase "through him" or "in him" highlights the king as the instrumental source and channel of these blessings. These are not merely material but encompass spiritual prosperity, righteousness, and peace.
  • "call him blessed" (יְאַשְּׁרֽוּהוּ, yəʼaššərūhû): This denotes acknowledgement, praise, and acclamation. Not only will nations receive blessing through him, but they will also recognize and proclaim him as the one who brings true blessing, attributing happiness and prosperity to him. This signifies universal allegiance and worship.

Psalm 72 17 Bonus section

The placement of this verse within Psalm 72 is significant as it effectively serves as a powerful conclusion before the concluding doxology (vv. 18-19). While Psalm 72:19 explicitly speaks of "the glorious name" of the LORD (Yahweh) filling the earth, verse 72:17 directly relates "his name" (the king's name) to the enduring nature and universal blessing. This connection suggests a profound identification: the ideal human king (the Messiah) so perfectly embodies God's righteous rule and character that his fame and reign are virtually inseparable from God's glory on earth. The longing for an eternal and universal reign of peace and justice, first articulated through David and Solomon, ultimately points to the Messiah as the divine agent through whom God's own glory and blessing are manifest to all creation.

Psalm 72 17 Commentary

Psalm 72:17 serves as the majestic crescendo of a psalm envisioning the ideal monarch. It transcends the limitations of an earthly king to reveal a Messianic figure whose dominion is both perpetual ("endure forever; as long as the sun") and universal ("all nations"). The lasting nature of his "name" signifies the eternal reality of his character, authority, and righteous reign, establishing a kingdom that defies the passage of time. The invocation of the "sun" reinforces this divine longevity, comparing his enduring reign to a fixed element of God's creation. Crucially, the verse pivots to the king's global impact: through him, humanity will find ultimate blessing, directly fulfilling the promise made to Abraham for all nations. Moreover, the nations will not only receive these benefits but will actively confess and celebrate him as the source of their flourishing. This prophecy finds its ultimate and complete fulfillment in Jesus Christ, the eternal King whose spiritual reign and redemptive work bring blessing and salvation to people from every tribe, tongue, and nation, leading them to call His Name truly blessed.