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For the Chief Musician. Set to “The Lilies.” A contemplation by the sons of Korah. A wedding song.

45 My heart overflows with a noble theme.
    I recite my verses for the king.
    My tongue is like the pen of a skillful writer.
You are the most excellent of the sons of men.
    Grace has anointed your lips,
    therefore God has blessed you forever.
Strap your sword on your thigh, mighty one:
    your splendor and your majesty.
In your majesty ride on victoriously on behalf of truth, humility, and righteousness.
    Let your right hand display awesome deeds.
Your arrows are sharp.
    The nations fall under you, with arrows in the heart of the king’s enemies.
Your throne, God, is forever and ever.
    A scepter of equity is the scepter of your kingdom.
You have loved righteousness, and hated wickedness.
    Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows.
All your garments smell like myrrh, aloes, and cassia.
    Out of ivory palaces stringed instruments have made you glad.
Kings’ daughters are among your honorable women.
    At your right hand the queen stands in gold of Ophir.
10 Listen, daughter, consider, and turn your ear.
    Forget your own people, and also your father’s house.
11     So the king will desire your beauty,
    honor him, for he is your lord.
12 The daughter of Tyre comes with a gift.
    The rich among the people entreat your favor.
13 The princess inside is all glorious.
    Her clothing is interwoven with gold.
14 She shall be led to the king in embroidered work.
    The virgins, her companions who follow her, shall be brought to you.
15 With gladness and rejoicing they shall be led.
    They shall enter into the king’s palace.
16 Your sons will take the place of your fathers.
    You shall make them princes in all the earth.
17 I will make your name to be remembered in all generations.
    Therefore the peoples shall give you thanks forever and ever.

Psalm 45

Ode for a Royal Wedding

To the leader: according to Lilies. Of the Korahites. A Maskil. A love song.

My heart overflows with a goodly theme;
    I address my verses to the king;
    my tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe.(A)

You are the most handsome of men;
    grace is poured upon your lips;
    therefore God has blessed you forever.(B)
Gird your sword on your thigh, O mighty one,
    in your glory and majesty.(C)

In your majesty ride on victoriously
    for the cause of truth and to defend[a] the right;
    let your right hand teach you dread deeds.(D)
Your arrows are sharp
    in the heart of the king’s enemies;
    the peoples fall under you.

Your throne, O God,[b] endures forever and ever.
    Your royal scepter is a scepter of equity;(E)
    you love righteousness and hate wickedness.
Therefore God, your God, has anointed you
    with the oil of gladness beyond your companions;(F)
    your robes are all fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia.
From ivory palaces stringed instruments make you glad;(G)
    daughters of kings are among your ladies of honor;
    at your right hand stands the queen in gold of Ophir.(H)

10 Hear, O daughter, consider and incline your ear;
    forget your people and your father’s house,(I)
11     and the king will desire your beauty.
Since he is your lord, bow to him;(J)
12     Daughter Tyre will seek your favor with gifts,
the richest of the people(K) 13     with all kinds of wealth.

The princess is decked in her chamber with gold-woven robes;[c](L)
14     in many-colored robes she is led to the king;
    behind her the virgins, her companions, follow.(M)
15 With joy and gladness they are led along
    as they enter the palace of the king.

16 In the place of ancestors you, O king,[d] shall have sons;
    you will make them princes in all the earth.(N)
17 I will cause your name to be celebrated in all generations;
    therefore the peoples will praise you forever and ever.(O)

Footnotes

  1. 45.4 Cn: Heb and the meekness of
  2. 45.6 Or Your throne is a throne of God, it
  3. 45.13 Or people. All glorious is the princess within, gold embroidery is her clothing
  4. 45.16 Heb lacks O king