“מלכותך מלכות כל עולמים וממשלתיך בכל דור ודור – Your Kingdom is of all worlds and Your rule is for every generation.”

This verse is well known to the Jewish people not only here in Ashrei, but we also recite it on Simchat Torah before the Hakafot – dancing celebrations. It refers to the absolute monarchy of G-d and the eternity of His kingdom.

The first phrase “מלכותך מלכות כל עולמים – Your Kingdom is of all worlds” demonstrates the divinity of G-d’s kingdom. G-d is not only king of one country or one continent. G-d is not only King of the earth. G-d is not only King of human beings. G-d is מלך מלכי המלכים, The King of Kings of every town, city, state, and country of the plants, the animals, and the humans, of the heavens and the earth G-d is the King of all worlds.

The verse is explained beautifully in the Siddur HaGra. He writes that in the present state of the world G-d is a מלך, a King, unto the Jewish nation and a מושל, a ruler (not recognized as King), to other peoples of the world. This verse teaches that לדור ודור, from generation to generation until the time of the Messiah, G-d is a מושל – a ruler, but in the Messianic era and onward G-d will be received by all nations as מלך – the King.

In previous generations and centuries it was easier to relate to G-d as King because the world was filled with human kings, queens and monarchies. Nowadays the royal families in the world often do not represent greatness, love of mankind and the unifying of nations. Rather, they are merely national symbols of an era long gone.

Take Home Tip:

Every time we recite a blessing and say מלך העולם let’s remember that G-d’s kingship is eternal. ה’ מלך, ה’ מלך, ה’ ימלך לעולם ועד – G-d reigns, reigned since the onset of Creation and will reign forever. In the time of redemption His kingship will be celebrated by all peoples of the world –   “מלכותך מלכות כל עולמים וממשלתיך בכל דור ודור – Your Kingdom is of all worlds and Your rule is for every generation.”