Read Psalm 45
For the director of music. To the tune of “Lilies.” Of the Sons of Korah. A maskil. A wedding song.
1 My heart is stirred by a noble theme
as I recite my verses for the king;
my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer.
2 You are the most excellent of men
and your lips have been anointed with grace,
since God has blessed you forever.
3 Gird your sword on your side, you mighty one;
clothe yourself with splendor and majesty.
4 In your majesty ride forth victoriously
in the cause of truth, humility and justice;
let your right hand achieve awesome deeds.
5 Let your sharp arrows pierce the hearts of the king’s enemies;
let the nations fall beneath your feet.
6 Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever;
a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.
7 You love righteousness and hate wickedness;
therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions
by anointing you with the oil of joy.
8 All your robes are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia;
from palaces adorned with ivory
the music of the strings makes you glad.
9 Daughters of kings are among your honored women;
at your right hand is the royal bride in gold of Ophir.
10 Listen, daughter, and pay careful attention:
Forget your people and your father’s house.
11 Let the king be enthralled by your beauty;
honor him, for he is your lord.
12 The city of Tyre will come with a gift,
people of wealth will seek your favor.
13 All glorious is the princess within her chamber;
her gown is interwoven with gold.
14 In embroidered garments she is led to the king;
her virgin companions follow her—
those brought to be with her.
15 Led in with joy and gladness,
they enter the palace of the king.
16 Your sons will take the place of your fathers;
you will make them princes throughout the land.
17 I will perpetuate your memory through all generations;
therefore the nations will praise you for ever and ever.
Go Deeper
There are so many major life milestones worthy of celebration. Psalm 45 drops us right into one of those moments as we read about his upcoming wedding. While this psalm is about a literal wedding, it is loaded with Messianic undertones. C.S. Lewis believed this psalm pointed to Christmas and the birth of Christ. John, when he wrote Revelation, used language from this psalm to describe the future return of Christ.
In Psalm 45, the sons of Korah, a group of Levites responsible for musical worship in the temple, bring us into a wedding celebration. Throughout the psalm, it talks about a glorious wedding that takes place between a king and his love. In verse 15, the beloved and her companions are “Led in with joy and gladness, they enter the palace of the king.” The sons of Korah were stating that the beloved will enter the palace of the king with overflowing joy and happiness, filled with anticipation to finally be in the same presence of her beloved. Earlier in the passage, verses 10-11 give word to the royal bride to “Listen, daughter, and pay careful attention: Forget your people and your father’s house. Let the king be enthralled with your beauty; honor him, for he is your lord.” As we read this, it is a reminder for us to leave what may seem comfortable or known, and follow the ways of the Lord and see His goodness!
As we step into today, remember that the Lord is coming. We should be overly excited, friend! Just as we anticipate marrying our significant other (or any other major life event), anticipate the coming of the One who sees us to be so significant. Know that anything that is good to us on Earth, is nowhere close to the goodness we will experience with Jesus! Throughout today, remember who He is, and be excited for His return. Acknowledge where your heart lies in this period of your life and ask the Lord to create an exhilaration and desire for Him to return over everything.
Questions
- Throughout Psalm 45, there are multiple traits that describe the king. Name one of those traits you want to embody most in your own life.
- Reading this through the lens of a Messianic psalm (one that points to the coming of Christ), what sticks out to you?
- Is there anything in your mind that possibly replaces the excitement of our Lord’s return? Why is that?
By the Way
In Revelation 19:7-8, John writes that the Lord’s return will be like a wedding, filled with beautiful garments and happiness that cannot be contained. This is yet another example of Scripture supporting Scripture!
6 responses to “Psalm 45”
This psalm is about our marriage to come with Christ. But it should be a representation of your marriage now. Marriage is a lifelong covenant. Do not go into your ceremony without giving that careful thought. You are going to or already have promised to love, honor, and cherish each other, just as Christ loves, honors and cherishes His church.
If you are married, is your relationship a witness to the world of the love between Christ and His church? And if you are not married, do you love even the unlovable with a sacrificial love?
Love is the answer to all the questions.
Do you love me? (John 21:15) Jesus last question on earth.
God thank You for Your love, that Hesed non-ending, forever love that is beyond comprehension. God thank You for helping me to see and feel that amazing love. God I know that I know that Your love is overwhelming, forever, and so intense. God help me to be that to a person I meet so that they understand who You are. Thank You for today, these minutes of this day that say, do and behave in a manner that shows those around me who You are in Jesus name amen
WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
9 at your right hand is the royal bride
Fits very nicely with yesterday’s sermon’s focus on the church being the bride of Christ. I loved the analogy of “a bride never hides her ring”! Let us be proud to be betrothed to almighty God!
Was thinking the same thing. Great visual and teaching moment. Praise God!
“I will perpetuate your memory through all generations; therefore the nations will praise you for ever and ever” (v17).
I’m reminded that the most important legacy we leave behind is loving Christ and making him known. As we take him wherever we go and live on mission with him we usher in his kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. What a privilege!
Agree !
A heart devoted to righteousness creates a life of beauty.
True beauty and strength come from honoring what is right and just. When a life is aligned with truth, it reflects a deeper, lasting glory that goes beyond our outward appearance.