May his name endure forever, his fame continue as long as the sun! May people be blessed in him, all nations call him blessed!
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Hebrew word translated "continued" here actually means "to have issue" or "to send out new shoots," suggesting that the king's legacy will not just persist but actively multiply and grow through generations. This imagery powerfully points beyond an earthly ruler to a descendant whose influence would perpetually blossom and bear fruit.
May his name endure forever, his fame continue as long as the sun! May people be blessed in him, all nations call him blessed!
English Standard Version (ESV)
This psalm, presented as a prayer for Solomon's reign, builds to a crescendo of universal blessing and divine praise. The preceding verses describe the ideal king bringing justice and prosperity, ultimately leading to this concluding wish for the king's enduring legacy and the widespread recognition of his blessedness. The psalm then concludes with a doxology, explicitly praising God for fulfilling these prayers, reinforcing the idea that this king's reign is a manifestation of God's own glorious work.
How can a king's name be promised to last as long as the sun? This isn't just about earthly fame.
The psalm declares, 'May his name endure for ever, his name continue as long as the sun!' This echoes a longing for permanence, something that outlasts our fleeting human lives. While some commentators see this as a prayer for Solomon, it points beyond him.
Beyond Earthly Reigns
Earthly kingdoms rise and fall. Even the greatest kings eventually fade from memory or their legacies are tarnished. The promise here is not just for a good reputation, but for a name that has an eternal quality.
The Sun as a Symbol
The sun, a constant presence in the sky, symbolizes unending, perpetual existence. For a king's name to endure 'as long as the sun' speaks of a dominion and a legacy that transcends all temporal limitations. This points us to a King whose reign is truly everlasting.
It's one thing to be famous; it's another to be the source of blessing for everyone.
The psalm doesn't stop at the king's enduring name. It declares, 'May people be blessed in him, all nations call him blessed!' This is a profound shift from mere human renown to being a channel of divine favor.
Blessing Rooted in the King
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This isn't just about people wishing well upon the king. It's about them receiving blessing through him. The original language suggests that people will 'bless themselves in him,' meaning they will find their ultimate well-being and prosperity by being connected to this king.
Universal Reach
The inclusion of 'all nations' is significant. This isn't a blessing confined to one people or one kingdom. It points to a future where the benefits of this king's reign extend to every corner of the earth, fulfilling ancient promises.
Understand the original words
barak · Hebrew Verb
An act of bestowing favor, divine grace, or prosperity upon someone. To be blessed by God is to be the recipient of His covenantal favor and goodness.
This psalm, while perhaps initially sung for Solomon's reign, points beyond an earthly king whose kingdom would eventually fall. The enduring nature of the promised name and the blessing to all nations strongly suggest a Messianic hope for an eternal King.
c. 1000 BC— this verse
Reign of King Solomon
This psalm is traditionally attributed to David and often interpreted as a prayer or prophecy concerning his son, Solomon, and the golden age of Israel's monarchy under his rule. Solomon's reign was marked by peace, prosperity, and significant building projects.
c. 970 BC
Division of the Kingdom
Following Solomon's death and the oppressive policies of his son Rehoboam, the united monarchy split into two: the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah. This marked the beginning of a period of division and conflict.
722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquered the Northern Kingdom of Israel, deporting its inhabitants and scattering them. This event significantly diminished the territory and influence of the Davidic line, as the northern tribes were lost to history.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Southern Kingdom
The Babylonian Empire destroyed Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling much of the population of Judah. This was a catastrophic event for the people of Israel, seemingly ending the Davidic dynasty and its promised perpetual kingdom.
c. 538 BC
Return from Babylonian Exile
Following Cyrus the Great's decree, some Jewish exiles returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple and their community. However, the returned kingdom was a shadow of its former glory, and the Davidic kingship was not restored in the same manner.
1st Century BC - 1st Century AD
Hellenistic and Roman Periods
Judea came under foreign rule, first the Seleucids and then the Romans. While Davidic lineage was recognized, direct rule and independent sovereignty were absent, with local rulers often appointed by or subservient to foreign powers.
c. AD 30-33
Ministry of Jesus Christ
Christians came to see Jesus as the fulfillment of prophecies like those in Psalm 72, viewing him as the true, eternal King whose kingdom would never end, bringing blessings to all nations.
This verse echoes the promise made to Abraham, that 'in him all the families of the earth shall be blessed,' directly connecting to Psalm 72:17's declaration that 'all nations shall call him blessed.'
Galatians 3:8Paul explicitly links the 'good news' proclaimed to Abraham, where all nations would be blessed, to faith in Christ, underscoring how the blessing promised in Psalm 72:17 finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ.
Philippians 2:9-11This passage describes God exalting Jesus to the highest place, so that 'at the name of Jesus every knee should bow' and 'every tongue confess,' which is a powerful parallel to the universal acclamation of blessing mentioned in Psalm 72:17.
Matthew 28:18-19Jesus claims all authority in heaven and on earth and commissions his disciples to make disciples of all nations, directly fulfilling the scope of blessing and recognition promised to the king in Psalm 72:17.
poolePsalms 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."
His name; the honour and renown of his eminent wisdom, and justice, and goodness; which agrees but very obscurely; and imperfectly to Solomon, who stained the glory of his reign by his prodigious luxury and oppression, and apostacy from God, into which he fell in the latter part of his days. Shall be continued; or, shall be propagat…
jfbPsalms 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."
- His name—or, "glorious perfections."as long as the sun—(Compare Ps 72:5).men shall be blessed—(Ge 12:3; 18:18).
The Hebrew word translated "continued" here actually means "to have issue" or "to send out new shoots," suggesting that the king's legacy will not just persist but actively multiply and grow through generations. This imagery powerfully points beyond an earthly ruler to a descendant whose influence would perpetually blossom and bear fruit.
This psalm, presented as a prayer for Solomon's reign, builds to a crescendo of universal blessing and divine praise. The preceding verses describe the ideal king bringing justice and prosperity, ultimately leading to this concluding wish for the king's enduring legacy and the widespread recognition of his blessedness. The psalm then concludes with a doxology, explicitly praising God for fulfilling these prayers, reinforcing the idea that this king's reign is a manifestation of God's own glorious work.
This psalm, presented as a prayer for Solomon's reign, builds to a crescendo of universal blessing and divine praise. The preceding verses describe the ideal king bringing justice and prosperity, ultimately leading to this concluding wish for the king's enduring legacy and the widespread recognition of his blessedness. The psalm then concludes with a doxology, explicitly praising God for fulfilling these prayers, reinforcing the idea that this king's reign is a manifestation of God's own glorious work.
"May his name endure forever, his fame continue as long as the sun! May people be blessed in him, all nations call him blessed!" — The Hebrew word translated "continued" here actually means "to have issue" or "to send out new shoots," suggesting that the king's legacy will not just persist but actively multiply and grow through…
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Last reviewed October 2026