Psalms 45:17

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

I will make thy name {H8034} to be remembered {H2142}{H8686)} in all {H1755} generations {H1755}: therefore shall the people {H5971} praise {H3034}{H8686)} thee for ever {H5769} and ever {H5703}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I will make your name known through all generations; thus the peoples will praise you forever and ever.

Berean Standard Bible

I will commemorate your name through all generations; therefore the nations will praise you forever and ever.

American Standard Version

I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations: Therefore shall the peoples give thee thanks for ever and ever.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 45:17 serves as a majestic climax to a royal wedding psalm, declaring a divine commitment to ensure the King's enduring legacy and universal, perpetual praise. It proclaims that the King's identity, character, and reign will be actively remembered and celebrated across all generations, leading to an unending chorus of adoration from all peoples. This verse encapsulates the ultimate destiny and recognition of the King, whose unparalleled majesty and righteous dominion, celebrated throughout the psalm, point beyond any earthly monarch to a universal and everlasting sovereignty.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 45 is a unique and highly significant royal psalm, identified in its superscription as a "Song of Loves" (*Shir Yedidoth*), commonly interpreted as an epithalamium (wedding song) for an Israelite king. While celebrating an earthly monarch's beauty, valor, righteousness, and his marriage to a foreign princess, the language consistently elevates beyond the human, leading many scholars to recognize its profound Messianic implications. The psalm describes the King's divine anointing and eternal throne, as seen in [Psalms 45:6-7](/psalms/45-6-7 "Psalms 45:6-7 - The King's Eternal Throne and Anointing"), and his universal dominion. Verse 17 functions as a grand, eschatological finale, projecting the King's fame and influence far beyond his earthly lifespan and into an eternal realm of remembrance and adoration. It provides a fitting and climactic conclusion to the majestic portrayal of this unique, divinely appointed monarch.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Royal psalms were a common genre in the ancient Near East, often composed for significant state occasions such as coronations, weddings, or military victories. These compositions typically lauded the king's divine favor, power, and commitment to justice, serving to legitimize his rule and inspire national pride. In this cultural setting, a king's "name" was inextricably linked to his reputation, authority, and very essence; to "remember" his name was to ensure the perpetuation of his legacy and honor. The concept of an enduring royal fame was vital for dynastic stability and the collective identity of the nation. While the immediate historical backdrop might have been the nuptials of a specific Israelite king, the hyperbole and idealized language employed in [Psalms 45](/psalms/45 "Psalms 45 - A Royal Wedding Song") strongly suggest a deeper, divinely inspired purpose. The expansive scope of "all generations" and "for ever and ever" transcends the limitations of any single earthly reign, pointing towards an everlasting dynasty and a universal recognition that only a divinely appointed, eternal King could achieve.
* **Key Themes:** Psalms 45:17 powerfully encapsulates several pivotal themes central to the psalm and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it underscores **Enduring Legacy and Renown**, promising that the King's "name"—representing his character, authority, and reputation—will not diminish but will be actively commemorated across "all generations," signifying an everlasting impact and recognition. Secondly, the emphatic declaration "I will make thy name to be remembered" highlights **Divine Sovereignty and Promise**, implying a direct divine intervention or a divinely inspired assurance that guarantees the King's lasting renown. This points to God's active role in exalting His chosen King, echoing God's promise to make Abraham's name great in [Genesis 12:2](/genesis/12-2 "Genesis 12:2 - God's Promise to Abraham"). Finally, the inevitable consequence of this enduring remembrance is **Universal and Perpetual Praise**: "therefore shall the people praise thee for ever and ever." This signifies not merely passive memory but active worship and glorification from all peoples, extending into eternity. This anticipates a future reality where every knee will bow and every tongue confess the Lordship of the King, as prophetically envisioned in [Philippians 2:10-11](/philippians/2-10-11 "Philippians 2:10-11 - Every Knee Shall Bow and Confess").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Name (Hebrew, _shêm'_):** In biblical thought, a "name" (שֵׁם, *shêm*) is profoundly significant, representing far more than a mere label. It encapsulates the entire identity, character, reputation, authority, and very essence of a person. Here, the King's name signifies his royal dignity, his unparalleled beauty, his valor, his righteousness, and his divine appointment. To "remember" this name means to perpetually acknowledge, honor, and uphold all that the King embodies and represents.
* **Remembered (Hebrew, _zâkar'_):** The verb "remembered" (זָכַר, *zâkar*) denotes an active, intentional, and ongoing act of commemoration, rather than a passive recollection. It implies keeping alive the significance of the person or event, ensuring that the King's impact and legacy are not forgotten but continually celebrated, upheld, and brought to mind through the ages. This active remembrance ensures a living, dynamic engagement with his reign.
* **Praise (Hebrew, _yâdâh'_):** The word "praise" (יָדָה, *yâdâh*) fundamentally means to use or hold out the hand, and by extension, to revere or worship with extended hands. It signifies fervent adoration, glorification, and exultation, often involving a joyful, enthusiastic, and public declaration of the King's worth and greatness. The perpetual nature of this praise suggests an unending worship from "the people," serving as a testament to the King's eternal reign and his supreme worthiness of honor.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations":** This opening clause functions as a powerful divine declaration or a divinely inspired assurance from the psalmist. The speaker, understood either as God Himself or the psalmist speaking prophetically under divine inspiration, guarantees the King's enduring renown. "Thy name" refers to the King's entire being, character, and legacy. The phrase "in all generations" emphasizes the timeless, universal, and enduring scope of this remembrance, transcending any single era, culture, or human lifespan. It signifies an active, perpetuated memory, not one that fades with time.
* **"therefore shall the people praise thee for ever and ever":** This clause presents the direct and inevitable consequence of the King's name being remembered across generations. The conjunction "therefore" establishes a clear causal link between the divine promise of remembrance and the resulting universal adoration. "The people" (עַמִּים, *ʻammim*) suggests not merely a specific nation, but potentially all peoples or nations, indicating a broad, even universal, acknowledgment. They will not merely remember but actively "praise" (glorify, worship) the King. The concluding phrase "for ever and ever" (לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד, *l'olam va'ed*) strongly emphasizes the eternal and perpetual nature of this praise, signifying an unending duration of worship, adoration, and glorification.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 45:17 masterfully employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound and far-reaching message. The most prominent is **Divine Declaration**, where the speaker—whether God directly or the psalmist as God's inspired mouthpiece—asserts an active and sovereign role in ensuring the King's enduring fame. This lends immense weight, certainty, and divine authority to the promise. There is also evident **Hyperbole**, as the promise of remembrance "in all generations" and praise "for ever and ever" extends beyond the natural lifespan or influence of any earthly monarch. This deliberate exaggeration elevates the King to a realm of eternal significance, serving to foreshadow a greater, indeed divine, King. Furthermore, the verse exhibits clear **Causal Parallelism**, where the initial clause ("I will make thy name to be remembered...") directly and inevitably leads to the second clause ("therefore shall the people praise thee..."). This structural arrangement reinforces the logical and certain progression from divine action to universal and unending worship, underscoring the inevitability of the King's ultimate glorification.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 45:17 speaks profoundly to the theological themes of divine sovereignty, the nature of true and lasting renown, and the ultimate purpose of all creation: praise. It asserts that genuine and enduring fame is not merely a product of human effort, historical accident, or fleeting popularity, but a divinely ordained reality. The emphatic "I will make" signifies God's active, sovereign hand in exalting His chosen King, ensuring that His character, reign, and redemptive work are not forgotten but perpetually celebrated. This promise of eternal remembrance and universal praise points to a King whose worthiness transcends all temporal and cultural boundaries, fulfilling God's overarching plan for a kingdom that endures forever. It highlights that the ultimate end of all things is the glorification of God and His anointed, drawing all peoples into a unified, unending chorus of adoration.
* [Genesis 12:2](/genesis/12-2 "Genesis 12:2 - God's Promise to Make Abraham's Name Great")
* [Isaiah 42:8](/isaiah/42-8 "Isaiah 42:8 - God Will Not Share His Glory")
* [Revelation 5:12-13](/revelation/5-12-13 "Revelation 5:12-13 - The Lamb Receives Universal Praise")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
For the believer, Psalms 45:17 offers profound hope, deep assurance, and a clear call to worship. It assures us that the name of Jesus Christ, our King and Messiah, is indeed eternally remembered and supremely exalted across all generations. His reign is boundless, and His praise is everlasting. This verse encourages us to actively join the ever-growing chorus of "the people" who praise Him, recognizing that our worship is not merely a personal act but a participation in a universal, eternal symphony of adoration that spans heaven and earth. It reminds us that our efforts to proclaim His name and share His message are not in vain, but contribute directly to His enduring legacy and the ongoing fulfillment of this ancient prophecy. We are called to live lives that authentically reflect His character and embody His kingdom values, so that His name may be glorified through us, ensuring that His praise continues "for ever and ever" in our hearts and through our faithful witness to a world that desperately needs to know Him. Our very lives become living testimonies, echoing the psalmist's declaration and actively contributing to the global remembrance and praise of the King.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the promise of the King's name being remembered "in all generations" deepen your appreciation for Christ's enduring legacy and universal impact?**
* **What practical steps can you take to more intentionally "praise Him for ever and ever" in your daily life and interactions?**
* **In what specific ways can your life and actions actively contribute to making Christ's name remembered and praised within your family, community, and beyond?**

### FAQ
**Is Psalm 45 solely about an earthly king, or does it have a deeper meaning?**

Answer: While [Psalms 45](/psalms/45 "Psalms 45 - A Royal Wedding Song") was likely composed for an earthly king's wedding, its language and imagery consistently transcend the typical descriptions of human monarchs. Many interpreters, both Jewish and Christian, have understood it to possess a dual fulfillment or a profound prophetic dimension pointing to the Messiah. The descriptions of the King's eternal throne ([Psalms 45:6](/psalms/45-6 "Psalms 45:6 - The King's Eternal Throne")), divine anointing, and universal praise go far beyond what could be fully achieved by any human king. Christians, in particular, see this psalm as a rich and profound foreshadowing of Jesus Christ, the ultimate King whose reign is truly eternal and whose name is praised by all peoples across all generations.

**What does "name" signify in this verse in biblical terms?**

Answer: In biblical thought, a "name" (Hebrew: *shêm*) is far more than a simple identifier or label. It embodies the entire identity, character, reputation, authority, and very essence of a person. To remember the King's "name" means to acknowledge, honor, and uphold all that he is—his righteousness, his valor, his beauty, and his divine appointment. In the context of the Messiah, it refers to the full revelation of God's character and redemptive work in Jesus Christ, whose name is indeed above every name ([Philippians 2:9](/philippians/2-9 "Philippians 2:9 - Christ's Exalted Name")).

**How can "we" make His name remembered and praised today?**

Answer: As believers in Jesus Christ, we are called to actively participate in the ongoing fulfillment of this prophecy. We make His name remembered through our consistent and heartfelt worship, our faithful witness to the Gospel, and our lives lived in obedience to His commands. Every act of love, justice, and mercy done in His name contributes to His renown and glorification. By sharing the transformative story of Jesus, teaching His Word with integrity, and living as His devoted disciples, we actively ensure that His name is not forgotten but continually celebrated and glorified across generations, fulfilling the Great Commission to make disciples of all nations ([Matthew 28:19-20](/matthew/28-19-20 "Matthew 28:19-20 - The Great Commission")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 45:17 finds its ultimate, most glorious, and complete fulfillment in Jesus Christ, the King of kings and Lord of lords. While initially celebrating an earthly monarch, the psalm's hyperbolic language, divine declarations, and eternal scope point undeniably to the Messiah, whose reign is truly "for ever and ever." The promise, "I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations," is perfectly realized in Christ, whose name is indeed exalted above every name, a profound truth proclaimed in [Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9-11 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Christ's Exaltation and Universal Worship"). God the Father has actively ensured that the name of Jesus—embodying His divine character, His perfect redemptive work on the cross, and His sovereign authority—will never be forgotten but will be proclaimed, honored, and confessed by every tongue and every knee. Consequently, the declaration, "therefore shall the people praise thee for ever and ever," anticipates the universal and unending worship that Christ supremely receives. From the adoration of the heavenly host in [Revelation 5:12-13](/revelation/5-12-13 "Revelation 5:12-13 - The Lamb Receives All Praise") to the ongoing mission of the church to make disciples of all nations ([Matthew 28:19-20](/matthew/28-19-20 "Matthew 28:19-20 - The Great Commission")), the praise of Jesus echoes through history and into eternity. His kingdom is everlasting ([Hebrews 1:8](/hebrews/1-8 "Hebrews 1:8 - Christ's Eternal Throne")), and His renown will endure throughout all generations, culminating in a new heavens and new earth where His glory fills everything and His praise is unending.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 62:3

Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God.

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.

Psalms 72:19

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

Malachi 1:11

For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name [shall be] great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense [shall be] offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name [shall be] great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts.

Isaiah 61:9

And their seed shall be known among the Gentiles, and their offspring among the people: all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they [are] the seed [which] the LORD hath blessed.

Psalms 22:30

A seed shall serve him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation.

Psalms 22:31

They shall come, and shall declare his righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that he hath done [this].