The Meaning of Psalms 45:16 Explained

Psalms 45:16

KJV: Instead of thy fathers shall be thy children, whom thou mayest make princes in all the earth.

YLT: Instead of thy fathers are thy sons, Thou dost appoint them for princes in all the earth.

Darby: Instead of thy fathers shall be thy sons; princes shalt thou make them in all the earth.

ASV: Instead of thy fathers shall be thy children, Whom thou shalt make princes in all the earth.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Instead of thy fathers  shall be thy children,  whom thou mayest make  princes  in all the earth. 

What does Psalms 45:16 Mean?

Context Summary

Psalms 45:1-17 - The King's Wedding Song
Though this psalm was probably composed to celebrate Solomon's marriage with Pharaoh's daughter, we must remember that it is distinctly applied to our Lord in Hebrews 1:8. See also Ephesians 5:23; Revelation 19:7. What wonder that the psalmist's heart overflowed! It was bubbling up with good matter! His work was for a King! See Psalms 45:1, R.V., margin.
The Warrior, Psalms 45:2-5. The Word of God rides forth to war, followed by the armies of heaven. See Revelation 19:13. His glory is the Cross; His majesty is in His meekness; His prosperity, in His loyalty to truth. His arrows are tipped with love, and those who fall beneath them die that they may live. The King, Psalms 45:6-8. The oil of gladness is the anointing of the Holy Spirit, which we also may share. See 1 John 2:20; 1 John 2:27. The Bridegroom, Psalms 45:9-17. Clad in glistening raiment, the Church stands by her Lord, who claims her love and loyalty. But these are not inconsistent claims! By nature she was without beauty or dower; but she has won both in Him. See to it that you are not missing at that wedding-feast! Matthew 7:22-23. [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalms 45

1  The majesty and grace of Christ's kingdom
10  The duty of the church, and the benefits thereof

What do the individual words in Psalms 45:16 mean?

Instead of Your fathers shall be Your sons Whom You shall make princes in all the earth
תַּ֣חַת אֲ֭בֹתֶיךָ יִהְי֣וּ בָנֶ֑יךָ תְּשִׁיתֵ֥מוֹ לְ֝שָׂרִ֗ים בְּכָל־ הָאָֽרֶץ

תַּ֣חַת  Instead 
Parse: Preposition
Root: מִתְחָה 
Sense: the under part, beneath, instead of, as, for, for the sake of, flat, unto, where, whereas.
אֲ֭בֹתֶיךָ  of  Your  fathers 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct, second person masculine singular
Root: אָב  
Sense: father of an individual.
יִהְי֣וּ  shall  be 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine plural
Root: אֶהְיֶה 
Sense: to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out.
בָנֶ֑יךָ  Your  sons 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct, second person masculine singular
Root: בֵּן 
Sense: son, grandson, child, member of a group.
תְּשִׁיתֵ֥מוֹ  Whom  You  shall  make 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, second person masculine singular, third person masculine plural
Root: שִׁית  
Sense: to put, set.
לְ֝שָׂרִ֗ים  princes 
Parse: Preposition-l, Noun, masculine plural
Root: סָרַר 
Sense: prince, ruler, leader, chief, chieftain, official, captain.
בְּכָל־  in  all 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: כֹּל  
Sense: all, the whole.
הָאָֽרֶץ  the  earth 
Parse: Article, Noun, feminine singular
Root: אֶרֶץ  
Sense: land, earth.