Psalm 45
Psalm 45 is a royal wedding song, likely composed for the marriage of a king. It praises the beauty, righteousness, and power of the king, along with the bride’s honor and position. While originally for a human king, many view the psalm as having a messianic dimension, foreshadowing Christ’s reign and relationship with His church.
Psalm 45:1-10 (NKJV)
1 My heart is overflowing with a good theme;
I recite my composition concerning the King;
My tongue is the pen of a ready writer.
2 You are fairer than the sons of men;
Grace is poured upon Your lips;
Therefore God has blessed You forever.
3 Gird Your sword upon Your thigh, O Mighty One,
With Your glory and Your majesty.
4 And in Your majesty ride prosperously because of truth, humility, and righteousness;
And Your right hand shall teach You awesome things.
5 Your arrows are sharp in the heart of the King’s enemies;
The peoples fall under You.
6 Your throne, O God, is forever and ever;
A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom.
7 You love righteousness and hate wickedness;
Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You
With the oil of gladness more than Your companions.
8 All Your garments are scented with myrrh and aloes and cassia,
Out of the ivory palaces, by which they have made You glad.
9 Kings’ daughters are among Your honorable women;
At Your right hand stands the queen in gold from Ophir.
10 Listen, O daughter,
Consider and incline your ear;
Forget your own people also, and your father’s house.
The psalm opens with joyful praise. The psalmist celebrates the king’s beauty, power, and divine blessing. He describes the king as one who upholds truth and righteousness, foreshadowing the Messiah's reign. Verses 6-7 hint at the divine nature of the king's authority, which many see as a reference to Christ, the eternal King. The imagery of myrrh, aloes, and ivory emphasizes the richness of the royal setting. The queen, standing at the king’s right hand, represents honor and favor, possibly symbolizing the church or Israel in messianic interpretation. The call for the bride to leave her past suggests total devotion to the new life with her husband.
Psalm 45:11-17 (NKJV)
11 So the King will greatly desire your beauty;
Because He is your Lord, worship Him.
12 And the daughter of Tyre will come with a gift;
The rich among the people will seek your favor.
13 The royal daughter is all glorious within the palace;
Her clothing is woven with gold.
14 She shall be brought to the King in robes of many colors;
The virgins, her companions who follow her, shall be brought to You.
15 With gladness and rejoicing they shall be brought;
They shall enter the King’s palace.
16 Instead of Your fathers shall be Your sons,
Whom You shall make princes in all the earth.
17 I will make Your name to be remembered in all generations;
Therefore the people shall praise You forever and ever.
The focus shifts to the bride, highlighting her beauty and the king’s desire for her. The instruction to worship the king reflects the reverence due to Christ in a messianic sense. The gifts from Tyre and the favor of the wealthy suggest honor and recognition from nations. The bride’s glorious attire symbolizes her spiritual beauty, indicating the church adorned with righteousness. Her joyful procession into the king’s palace reflects the joy of being united with Christ. The mention of sons becoming princes hints at the enduring legacy of the king’s reign. The psalm concludes with a promise of eternal praise, emphasizing the lasting impact of the king's name and reign.