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Psalm 45

For the choir director: A love song to be sung to the tune “Lilies.” A psalm[a] of the descendants of Korah.

Beautiful words stir my heart.
    I will recite a lovely poem about the king,
    for my tongue is like the pen of a skillful poet.

You are the most handsome of all.
    Gracious words stream from your lips.
    God himself has blessed you forever.
Put on your sword, O mighty warrior!
    You are so glorious, so majestic!
In your majesty, ride out to victory,
    defending truth, humility, and justice.
    Go forth to perform awe-inspiring deeds!
Your arrows are sharp, piercing your enemies’ hearts.
    The nations fall beneath your feet.

Your throne, O God,[b] endures forever and ever.
    You rule with a scepter of justice.
You love justice and hate evil.
    Therefore God, your God, has anointed you,
    pouring out the oil of joy on you more than on anyone else.
Myrrh, aloes, and cassia perfume your robes.
    In ivory palaces the music of strings entertains you.
Kings’ daughters are among your noble women.
    At your right side stands the queen,
    wearing jewelry of finest gold from Ophir!

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Footnotes

  1. 45:Title Hebrew maskil. This may be a literary or musical term.
  2. 45:6 Or Your divine throne.

A Royal Wedding Song[a]

45 Beautiful words fill my mind,
    as I compose this song for the king.
Like the pen of a good writer
    my tongue is ready with a poem.

You are the most handsome of men;
    you are an eloquent speaker.
    God has always blessed you.
Buckle on your sword, mighty king;
    you are glorious and majestic.

Ride on in majesty to victory
    for the defense of truth and justice![b]
    Your strength will win you great victories!
Your arrows are sharp,
    they pierce the hearts of your enemies;
    nations fall down at your feet.

(A)The kingdom that God has given you[c]
    will last forever and ever.
You rule over your people with justice;
    you love what is right and hate what is evil.
That is why God, your God, has chosen you
    and has poured out more happiness on you
    than on any other king.
The perfume of myrrh and aloes is on your clothes;
    musicians entertain you in palaces decorated with ivory.
Among the women of your court are daughters of kings,
    and at the right of your throne stands the queen,
    wearing ornaments of finest gold.

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 45:1 HEBREW TITLE: A poem by the clan of Korah; a love song.
  2. Psalm 45:4 Probable text and justice; Hebrew and meekness of justice.
  3. Psalm 45:6 The kingdom that God has given you; or Your kingdom, O God; or Your divine kingdom.