Psalm 45:17 - Printer Friendly

ESV: I will cause your name to be remembered in all generations; therefore nations will praise you forever and ever.

NIV: I will perpetuate your memory through all generations; therefore the nations will praise you for ever and ever.

NASB: I will make Your name known among all generations; Therefore the peoples will praise You forever and ever.

CSB: I will cause your name to be remembered for all generations; therefore the peoples will praise you forever and ever.

NLT: I will bring honor to your name in every generation. Therefore, the nations will praise you forever and ever.

KJV: I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations: therefore shall the people praise thee for ever and ever.

NKJV: I will make Your name to be remembered in all generations; Therefore the people shall praise You forever and ever.

The psalmist wrote for an earthly king's marriage (Psalm 45:1, 9). However, his words also serve to predict the ministry of the ultimate King, Jesus Christ (Psalm 45:6–7; Hebrews 1:8–9). Poetic exaggeration was—and is—a common trait of songs about love or celebrated rulers (Psalm 45:2–5). So, too, were ancient claims that a king would never be forgotten. The psalmist assures the king that all future generations will praise him.

These words apply ultimately—and much more literally—to the King of kings and Lord of lords (1 Timothy 6:15; Revelation 17:14; 19:16). His people remember Him now in the ordinance of the Lord's Supper (1 Corinthians 11:23–26), but this is a remembrance of His death. In eternity His redeemed people of all ages will remember not only His death but also His victory over death and His glorious reign. Revelation 5:9–10 records the words of the four living creatures and twenty-four elders in heaven, "Worthy are you [Jesus] to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth." Thousands of thousands of angels join in (Revelation 5:11–12). The chapter closes with a resounding crescendo of voices—"every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them"—ascribing blessing and honor and glory to God and the Lamb [Jesus] "forever and ever" (Revelation 5:13). The four living creatures say "Amen," and the twenty-four elders fall down in worship (Revelation 5:14).

The psalm begins with the exaggeration for effect common to love songs and works celebrating an earthly king. The groom is described as handsome, powerful, and graceful. The psalm also speaks of an eternal throne—this connects to prophecies about the Messiah (2 Samuel 7:12–13; Hebrews 1:8–9). The Bible often uses marriage images to explain the relationship between Christ and the church, including songs such as this.

This psalm is often identified as a marriage song, likely ascribing praise to a descendant of David. However, its praise transcends a mortal ruler and his wedding. There are messianic interpretations, noted in the New Testament (Hebrews 1:8–9). These references provide another layer of meaning, as they praise the King of kings, Jesus Christ.

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.