King James Version

What Does Psalms 72:17 Mean?

Psalms 72:17 in the King James Version says “His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in him: all nat... — study this verse from Psalms chapter 72 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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. endure: Heb. be his name shall be: Heb. shall be as a son to continue his father's name for ever

Psalms 72:17 · KJV


Context

15

And he shall live, and to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba: prayer also shall be made for him continually; and daily shall he be praised. shall be given: Heb. one shall give

16

There shall be an handful of corn in the earth upon the top of the mountains; the fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon: and they of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth.

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. endure: Heb. be his name shall be: Heb. shall be as a son to continue his father's name for ever

18

Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things.

19

And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen.


Commentary

KJV Study 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.

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Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Christ fulfill God's promise to bless all nations through Abraham's seed?
  2. What does it mean that Christ's 'name shall endure for ever'—how is His fame perpetual?
  3. In what ways have you been blessed through Christ, and how can you extend that blessing to others?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
יְהִ֤י1 of 12
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

שְׁ֫מ֥וֹ2 of 12

His name

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

לְֽעוֹלָ֗ם3 of 12

shall endure for ever

H5769

properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial

לִפְנֵי4 of 12

as long as

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

שֶׁמֶשׁ֮5 of 12

the sun

H8121

the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e., (architectural) a notched battlement

יִנּ֪יֹן6 of 12

shall be continued

H5125

to resprout, i.e., propagate by shoots; figuratively, to be perpetual

שְׁ֫מ֥וֹ7 of 12

His name

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

וְיִתְבָּ֥רְכוּ8 of 12

and men shall be blessed

H1288

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

ב֑וֹ9 of 12
H0
כָּל10 of 12
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

גּוֹיִ֥ם11 of 12

in him all nations

H1471

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

יְאַשְּׁרֽוּהוּ׃12 of 12

shall call him blessed

H833

to be straight (used in the widest sense, especially to be level, right, happy); figuratively, to go forward, be honest, prosper


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Psalms 72:17 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Psalms 72:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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