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 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!

10 Listen to me, O royal daughter; take to heart what I say.
    Forget your people and your family far away.
11 For your royal husband delights in your beauty;
    honor him, for he is your lord.
12 The princess of Tyre[c] will shower you with gifts.
    The wealthy will beg your favor.
13 The bride, a princess, looks glorious
    in her golden gown.
14 In her beautiful robes, she is led to the king,
    accompanied by her bridesmaids.
15 What a joyful and enthusiastic procession
    as they enter the king’s palace!

16 Your sons will become kings like their father.
    You will make them rulers over many lands.
17 I will bring honor to your name in every generation.
    Therefore, the nations will praise you forever and ever.

Footnotes

  1. 45:Title Hebrew maskil. This may be a literary or musical term.
  2. 45:6 Or Your divine throne.
  3. 45:12 Hebrew The daughter of Tyre.