Psalms 45:16
Instead of thy fathers shall be thy children, whom thou mayest make princes in all the earth.
Original Language Analysis
תַּ֣חַת
H8478
תַּ֣חַת
Strong's:
H8478
Word #:
1 of 8
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
אֲ֭בֹתֶיךָ
Instead of thy fathers
H1
אֲ֭בֹתֶיךָ
Instead of thy fathers
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
2 of 8
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
יִהְי֣וּ
H1961
יִהְי֣וּ
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
3 of 8
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
בָנֶ֑יךָ
shall be thy children
H1121
בָנֶ֑יךָ
shall be thy children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
4 of 8
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
תְּשִׁיתֵ֥מוֹ
whom thou mayest make
H7896
תְּשִׁיתֵ֥מוֹ
whom thou mayest make
Strong's:
H7896
Word #:
5 of 8
to place (in a very wide application)
Cross References
Revelation 5:10And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.Revelation 1:6And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.1 Peter 2:9But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:Revelation 20:6Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.Psalms 22:30A seed shall serve him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern kings were judged by the dynasties they established. The promise of children becoming princes 'in all the earth' exceeds normal dynastic hopes, pointing to the universal reign of Messiah.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this verse point beyond any historical king to Christ?
- What does it mean for believers to be made 'princes' in Christ's kingdom?
Analysis & Commentary
The promise of dynasty: 'Instead of thy fathers shall be thy children, whom thou mayest make princes in all the earth.' The king's lineage will extend and exceed what came before. His descendants will rule not just locally but globally. This transcends any historical Davidic king, finding fulfillment in Christ's eternal kingdom.