Psalms 72:17
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.
Original Language Analysis
יְהִ֤י
H1961
יְהִ֤י
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 12
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
שְׁ֫מ֥וֹ
His name
H8034
שְׁ֫מ֥וֹ
His name
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
2 of 12
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
לְֽעוֹלָ֗ם
shall endure for ever
H5769
לְֽעוֹלָ֗ם
shall endure for ever
Strong's:
H5769
Word #:
3 of 12
properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial
לִפְנֵי
as long as
H6440
לִפְנֵי
as long as
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
4 of 12
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
שֶׁמֶשׁ֮
the sun
H8121
שֶׁמֶשׁ֮
the sun
Strong's:
H8121
Word #:
5 of 12
the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e., (architectural) a notched battlement
יִנּ֪יֹן
shall be continued
H5125
יִנּ֪יֹן
shall be continued
Strong's:
H5125
Word #:
6 of 12
to resprout, i.e., propagate by shoots; figuratively, to be perpetual
שְׁ֫מ֥וֹ
His name
H8034
שְׁ֫מ֥וֹ
His name
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
7 of 12
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
וְיִתְבָּ֥רְכוּ
and men shall be blessed
H1288
וְיִתְבָּ֥רְכוּ
and men shall be blessed
Strong's:
H1288
Word #:
8 of 12
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
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
10 of 12
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Cross References
Isaiah 7:14Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.Matthew 1:23Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.Genesis 12:3And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.Psalms 89:36His seed shall endure for ever, and his throne as the sun before me.Luke 1:48For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.Genesis 22:18And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.1 Peter 1:3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,Philippians 2:10That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;Colossians 1:3We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,
Historical Context
This verse explicitly connects the Davidic king with the Abrahamic promise, showing God's redemptive plan's unity from Abraham through David to Christ. The blessing promised to Abraham finds fulfillment in the Messiah.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Christ fulfill God's promise to bless all nations through Abraham's seed?
- What does it mean that Christ's 'name shall endure for ever'—how is His fame perpetual?
- In what ways have you been blessed through Christ, and how can you extend that blessing to others?
Analysis & Commentary
The king's name enduring forever and continuing 'as long as the sun' promises eternal fame and legacy. All nations shall be blessed in him, echoing the Abrahamic covenant (Genesis 12:3)—identifying the Messiah as Abraham's ultimate Seed through whom blessing flows globally. All nations call him blessed, recognizing him as source of their prosperity. Only Christ fulfills this: eternally praised, blessing all peoples through the gospel.