In verse 17a-b the prayer is for the king’s perpetual fame (in Hebrew the word “name” is used in both lines); this involves the continuation of the king’s royal dynasty (see discussion of 21.4).
Good News Translation has recast the positive his name endure for ever into a double negative, “never be forgotten.” In some languages this expression may be rendered “may people remember his name forever” or “may people speak well of him forever.” In line b the verb translated continue occurs nowhere else in the Old Testament; it seems to mean “sprout forth”; New English Bible rejects it as unintelligible and translates the Septuagint “live for ever.” Hebrew Old Testament Text Project follows the Masoretic text and translates “may his name flourish.”
Verse 17c in Hebrew is “and they shall bless themselves in him,” which may be interpreted in two ways: (l) “May they ask God to bless them as he has blessed him (the king)”; so Good News Translation and New English Bible (which supplies “all people” as the subject, taken from the Septuagint). As a statement this would be “So shall all peoples pray to be blessed as he was” (see Kirkpatrick, McCullough). Bible en français courant has “May all people use his name when they bless one another.” (2) “May they be blessed through him,” that is, may the king be the cause or instrument of their blessings (Briggs); so Biblia Dios Habla Hoy “May all nations of the world receive blessings by means of him” (similarly Bible de Jérusalem, New Jerusalem Bible); New International Version “All nations will be blessed through him.” There are good reasons to follow each of the two interpretations given here; the first one, followed by Good News Translation, New English Bible, and New Jerusalem Bible, seems preferable, but a translator should feel free to prefer the other interpretation.
Line d in Hebrew is “may all nations wish him happiness” (or “call him happy”); the same form of the verb is translated “called blessed” in 41.2b. New Jerusalem Bible has “let all nations count him happy”; Bible de Jérusalem “May all the heathen wish him blessings”; and New English Bible “all nations (shall) tell of his happiness.”
Good News Translation text has taken the two lines to express one idea, but it is better to translate as follows: “May all peoples ask God to bless them as he has blessed the king; may they all pray for his happiness.”
Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Reyburn, William D. A Handbook on the Book of Psalms. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1991. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .