Psalm 45

“A song of loves” identifies this as a marriage song, and Shoshannim (lilies) identifies the tune to which it was to be sung (see 60; 69; 80). The wedding was obviously that of a king (vv. 1, 11, 14; and note the mention of throne, scepter, and majesty), and some have identified him with Solomon, who married an Egyptian princess (1 Kings 3:1; 9:24). Of all David’s sons, only Solomon was anointed king (v. 7). Solomon was noted for his wealth in gold (vv. 9, 13; 1 Kings 9:28), and he had a close association with the great city of Tyre (v. 12; 1 Kings 9:10-14). But it’s clear that one “greater than Solomon” (Matt. 12:42) is present in this beautiful psalm, and that one is Jesus Christ, the King of Kings. If this were merely a secular love song, why would it be given to the chief musician to be used in the worship of the Lord at His sanctuary? That would be blasphemy. Solomon was not a warrior (vv. 3-5), and certainly an inspired writer would not address Solomon as “God” (v. 6). Hebrews 1:8-9 marks it as a messianic psalm, so whatever may have been the historical use of this psalm, the ultimate message is about Jesus Christ and His bride, the church (Eph. 5:23ff.; Rev. 19:6-21; 22:17). The writer presents four pictures of our Lord and in so doing also described His bride.