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(A special psalm by the clan of Korah and for the music leader. To the tune “Lilies.” A love song.)

For a Royal Wedding

My thoughts are filled
with beautiful words
    for the king,
and I will use my voice
as a writer would use
    pen and ink.

No one is as handsome as you!
    Your words are always kind.
That is why God
    will always bless you.
Mighty king, glorious ruler,
strap on your sword
    and ride out in splendor!
Win victories for truth
    and mercy and justice.
Do fearsome things
    with your powerful arm.
Send your sharp arrows
    through enemy hearts
and make all nations fall
    at your feet.

(A) You are God, and you will rule
    forever as king.[a]
Your royal power
    brings about justice.
You love justice and hate evil.
    And so, your God chose you
and made you happier
    than any of your friends.
The sweet aroma of the spices
myrrh, aloes, and cassia
    covers your royal robes.
You enjoy the music of harps
in palaces decorated
    with ivory.
Daughters of kings are here,
and your bride stands
    at your right side,
wearing a wedding gown
    trimmed with pure gold.[b]

10 Bride of the king,
    listen carefully to me.
Forget your own people
and your father's family. 11     The king adores you.
He is your master,
    so do what he desires.
12 All of the richest people
    from the city of Tyre
will try to influence you
13     with precious treasures.

Your bride, my king,
    has inward beauty,[c]
and her wedding gown is woven
    with threads of gold.
14 Wearing the finest garments,
    she is brought to you,
followed by her young friends,
    the bridesmaids.
15 Everyone is excited,
as they follow you
    to the royal palace.

16 Your sons and your grandsons
will also be kings
    as your ancestors were.
You will make them rulers
    everywhere on earth.

17 I will make your name famous
    from now on,
and you will be praised
    forever and ever.

Footnotes

  1. 45.6 You … king: Or “God has made you king, and you will rule forever.”
  2. 45.9 trimmed with pure gold: Hebrew has “with gold from Ophir,” which may have been in Africa or India. Gold from there was considered the very best.
  3. 45.13 has inward beauty: Or “is dressed in her room.”

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