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Psalm 45

To the Chief Musician; [set to the tune of] “Lilies” [probably a popular air. A Psalm] of the sons of Korah. A skillful song, or a didactic or reflective poem. A song of love.

My heart overflows with a [a]goodly theme; I address my psalm to a King. My tongue is like the pen of a ready writer.

You are fairer than the children of men; graciousness is poured upon Your lips; therefore God has blessed You forever.

Gird Your sword upon Your thigh, O mighty One, in Your glory and Your majesty!

And in Your majesty ride on triumphantly for the cause of truth, humility, and righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God); and let Your right hand guide You to tremendous things.

Your arrows are sharp; the peoples fall under You; Your darts pierce the hearts of the King’s enemies.

Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; the scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom.

You love righteousness, uprightness, and right standing with God and hate wickedness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness above Your fellows.(A)

Your garments are all fragrant with myrrh, aloes, and cassia; stringed instruments make You glad.

Kings’ daughters are among Your honorable women; at Your right hand stands the queen in gold of Ophir.

10 Hear, O daughter, consider, submit, and consent to my instruction: forget also your own people and your father’s house;

11 So will the King desire your beauty; because He is your Lord, be submissive and reverence and honor Him.

12 And, O daughter of Tyre, the richest of the people shall entreat your favor with a gift.

13 The King’s daughter in the inner part [of the palace] is all glorious; her clothing is inwrought with gold.(B)

14 She shall be brought to the King in raiment of needlework; with the virgins, her companions that follow her, she shall be brought to You.

15 With gladness and rejoicing will they be brought; they will enter into the King’s palace.

16 Instead of Your fathers shall be Your sons, whom You will make princes in all the land.

17 I will make Your name to be remembered in all generations; therefore shall the people praise and give You thanks forever and ever.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 45:1 Jesus spoke of what was written of Him “in the Psalms” (see Luke 24:44). This is one such Messianic psalm. However, the capitalization indicating the deity is offered provisionally. The chapter is written against the background of a secular royal wedding. But the New Testament reference to this psalm in Heb. 1:8, 9, where verses 6 and 7 of Psalm 45 are quoted and applied to Christ, makes any other interpretation seem incidental in importance.

Psalm 45[a]

For the director of music. To the tune of “Lilies.” Of the Sons of Korah. A maskil.[b] A wedding song.(A)

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.

You are the most excellent of men
    and your lips have been anointed with grace,(B)
    since God has blessed you forever.(C)

Gird your sword(D) on your side, you mighty one;(E)
    clothe yourself with splendor and majesty.(F)
In your majesty ride forth victoriously(G)
    in the cause of truth, humility and justice;(H)
    let your right hand(I) achieve awesome deeds.(J)
Let your sharp arrows(K) pierce the hearts(L) of the king’s enemies;(M)
    let the nations fall beneath your feet.
Your throne, O God,[c] will last for ever and ever;(N)
    a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.
You love righteousness(O) and hate wickedness;(P)
    therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions
    by anointing(Q) you with the oil of joy.(R)
All your robes are fragrant(S) with myrrh(T) and aloes(U) and cassia;(V)
    from palaces adorned with ivory(W)
    the music of the strings(X) makes you glad.
Daughters of kings(Y) are among your honored women;
    at your right hand(Z) is the royal bride(AA) in gold of Ophir.(AB)

10 Listen, daughter,(AC) and pay careful attention:(AD)
    Forget your people(AE) and your father’s house.
11 Let the king be enthralled by your beauty;(AF)
    honor(AG) him, for he is your lord.(AH)
12 The city of Tyre(AI) will come with a gift,[d](AJ)
    people of wealth will seek your favor.
13 All glorious(AK) is the princess within her chamber;
    her gown is interwoven with gold.(AL)
14 In embroidered garments(AM) she is led to the king;(AN)
    her virgin companions(AO) follow her—
    those brought to be with her.
15 Led in with joy and gladness,(AP)
    they enter the palace of the king.

16 Your sons will take the place of your fathers;
    you will make them princes(AQ) throughout the land.

17 I will perpetuate your memory through all generations;(AR)
    therefore the nations will praise you(AS) for ever and ever.(AT)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 45:1 In Hebrew texts 45:1-17 is numbered 45:2-18.
  2. Psalm 45:1 Title: Probably a literary or musical term
  3. Psalm 45:6 Here the king is addressed as God’s representative.
  4. Psalm 45:12 Or A Tyrian robe is among the gifts