Psalm 45

A Royal Wedding Song

For the choir director: according to “The Lilies.”(A) A Maskil of the sons of Korah. A love song.

My heart is moved by a noble theme
as I recite my verses to the king;
my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer.(B)
You are the most handsome of men;[a]
grace flows from your lips.(C)
Therefore God has blessed you forever.(D)

Mighty warrior, strap your sword at your side.
In your majesty and splendor(E)
in your splendor ride triumphantly
in the cause of truth, humility, and justice.
May your right hand show your awe-inspiring acts.(F)
Your sharpened arrows pierce the hearts of the king’s enemies;
the peoples fall under you.(G)

Your throne,(H) God, is[b] forever and ever;
the scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of justice.(I)
You love righteousness and hate wickedness;(J)
therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of joy
more than your companions.
Myrrh, aloes, and cassia perfume all your garments;
from ivory palaces harps bring you joy.(K)
Kings’ daughters are among your honored women;(L)
the queen, adorned with gold from Ophir,
stands at your right hand.(M)

10 Listen, daughter, pay attention and consider:
Forget your people and your father’s house,(N)
11 and the king will desire your beauty.
Bow down to him, for he is your lord.(O)
12 The daughter of Tyre, the wealthy people,
will seek your favor with gifts.(P)

13 In her chamber, the royal daughter is all glorious,
her clothing embroidered with gold.(Q)
14 In colorful garments she is led to the king;
after her, the virgins, her companions, are brought to you.(R)
15 They are led in with gladness and rejoicing;
they enter the king’s palace.(S)

16 Your sons will succeed your ancestors;
you will make them princes throughout the land.(T)
17 I will cause your name to be remembered for all generations;
therefore the peoples will praise you forever and ever.(U)

Footnotes

  1. 45:2 Or of the descendants of Adam
  2. 45:6 Or Your divine throne is, or Your throne is God’s

Psalm 45

For the music leader. According to “The Lilies.” Of the Korahites. A maskil.[a] A love song.

45 A marvelous word has stirred my heart
    as I mention my works to the king.
        My tongue is the pen of a skillful scribe.

You are the most handsome of men;
    grace has been poured out on your lips.
        No wonder God has blessed you forever!
Strap on your sword, great warrior,
    with your glory and grandeur.
Go and succeed in your grandeur!
    Ride out on behalf of truth, humility, and righteousness!
    Let your strong hand perform awesome deeds.[b]
Let the peoples fall beneath you.
    May your sharp arrows pierce the hearts of the king’s enemies.
Your divine throne is eternal and everlasting.
    Your royal scepter is a scepter of justice.
You love righteousness and hate wickedness.
    No wonder God, your God, has anointed you
    with the oil of joy more than all your companions!
All your clothes have the pleasing scent of myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
    The music of stringed instruments coming from ivory palaces entertains you.
The royal princess is standing in your precious jewels; [c]
    the queen stands at your right, dressed in the gold of Ophir.

10 Listen, daughter; pay attention, and listen closely!
    Forget your people and your father’s house.
11 Let the king desire your beauty.
    Because he is your master, bow down to him now.
12 The city of Tyre, the wealthiest of all,
    will seek your favor with gifts, 13 with riches of every sort
    for the royal princess, dressed in pearls,[d]
        her robe embroidered with gold.
14 In robes of many colors, she is led to the king.
    Her attendants, the young women servants following her,
    are presented to you as well.
15 As they enter the king’s palace,
    they are led in with celebration and joy.

16 Your sons, great king, will succeed your fathers;[e]
    you will appoint them as princes throughout the land.
17 I will perpetuate your name from one generation to the next
    so the peoples will praise you forever and always.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 45:1 Perhaps instruction
  2. Psalm 45:4 Heb uncertain
  3. Psalm 45:9 Syr; MT royal princess is among your precious ones.
  4. Psalm 45:13 Correction; Heb lacks for; Heb uncertain in 45:12-13.
  5. Psalm 45:16 Heb lacks great king.