Psalms 72:17

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
יְהִ֤י
H1961
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
שְׁ֫מ֥וֹ
H8034
His name
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
#3
לְֽעוֹלָ֗ם
H5769
shall endure for ever
properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial
#4
לִפְנֵי
H6440
as long as
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#5
שֶׁמֶשׁ֮
H8121
the sun
the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e., (architectural) a notched battlement
#6
יִנּ֪יֹן
H5125
shall be continued
to resprout, i.e., propagate by shoots; figuratively, to be perpetual
#7
שְׁ֫מ֥וֹ
H8034
His name
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
#8
וְיִתְבָּ֥רְכוּ
H1288
and men shall be blessed
to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as
#9
ב֑וֹ
H0
#10
כָּל
H3605
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#11
גּוֹיִ֥ם
H1471
in him all nations
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
#12
יְאַשְּׁרֽוּהוּ׃
H833
shall call him blessed
to be straight (used in the widest sense, especially to be level, right, happy); figuratively, to go forward, be honest, prosper

Analysis

The worship and praise theme here intersects with the broader canonical witness to God's character and purposes. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of progressive revelation that finds its culmination in Christ. The phrase emphasizing covenant community contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's consistent character and purposes.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the Israelite monarchy with its court politics and military conflicts. The author writes to address worshipers in the temple and those seeking God in times of distress, making the emphasis on worship and praise particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection