They shall fear thee as long as the sun and moon endure, throughout all generations.

PSALMS 72:5KJV
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Psalms 72:5 (KJV)

What does Psalms 72:5 mean?

Psalms 72:5 says that people will have reverence and awe for God for as long as the sun and moon exist, lasting through every generation. The verse uses the enduring presence of the sun and moon as a picture of how long this respect for God will continue.

This verse comes from a psalm attributed to Solomon, where the writer is praying for the king’s reign to be marked by justice and righteousness. The verse expresses a hope that the king’s rule—and the fear of God connected to it—will last as long as creation itself, showing a desire for an unending, stable, and godly kingdom.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 72:5

  • "fear" (יָרֵא, yare'): This word means to have awe, reverence, or deep respect. In this context, it points to people holding God in high regard, not just being afraid.
  • "sun" (שֶׁמֶשׁ, shemesh) and "moon" (יָרֵחַ, yareach): Mentioning both the sun and moon highlights the idea of something lasting as long as the natural world—essentially, forever.
  • "generations" (דּוֹר, dor): This word means a period of time or an age, emphasizing that this reverence is to continue without end, through all people and times.

Why Psalms 72:5 matters

  • Psalms 72:5 clarifies that the reverence for God is not just for one group or time, but is meant to last as long as the world itself.
  • The verse connects the king’s reign to God’s enduring presence, suggesting that true leadership is tied to ongoing respect for God.
  • By using the sun and moon as symbols, the verse links God’s honor to the most constant things in human experience, making the hope for lasting reverence easy to grasp.

Where else these words appear

“as” Hebrew H5973 · used in 26 verses

  • Genesis 18:23 And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?
  • Genesis 48:12 And Joseph brought them out from between his knees, and he bowed himself with his face to the earth.
  • 1 Samuel 2:21 And the LORD visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before the LORD.

“moon” Hebrew H3394 · used in 26 verses

  • Genesis 37:9 And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me.
  • Psalms 8:3 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;
  • Isaiah 13:10 For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.

“sun” Hebrew H8121 · used in 127 verses

  • Genesis 15:12 And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him.
  • 2 Samuel 2:24 Joab also and Abishai pursued after Abner: and the sun went down when they were come to the hill of Ammah, that lieth before Giah by the way of the wilderness of Gibeon.
  • Ecclesiastes 5:18 Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion.

“all” Hebrew H1755 · used in 127 verses

  • Genesis 6:9 These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.
  • Numbers 15:21 Of the first of your dough ye shall give unto the LORD an heave offering in your generations.
  • Psalms 85:5 Wilt thou be angry with us for ever? wilt thou draw out thine anger to all generations?