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There is a Psalm that shines with the style of the Song of Solomon. Just like the Song of Solomon is a poetic
marriage song, so to is the 45th Psalm. It launches itself like the gazelle who leaps out in grace and charm.
It is the song of romantic flare as it beholds the bride and groom in majesty and splendor.
Put on your tux or gown. Lets attend the royal marriage, shall we?
Psalm 45
1 To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim, for the sons of Korah, Maschil, A Song of loves. My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer.
2 Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.
3 Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty.
4 And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things.
5 Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the king's enemies; whereby the people fall under thee.
6 Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.
7 Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
8 All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad.
9 Kings' daughters were among thy honourable women: upon thy right hand did stand the queen in gold of Ophir.
10 Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy father's house;
11 So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for he is thy Lord; and worship thou him.
12 And the daughter of Tyre shall be there with a gift; even the rich among the people shall entreat thy favour.
13 The king's daughter is all glorious within: her clothing is of wrought gold.
14 She shall be brought unto the king in raiment of needlework: the virgins her companions that follow her shall be brought unto thee.
15 With gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought: they shall enter into the king's palace.
16 Instead of thy fathers shall be thy children, whom thou mayest make princes in all the earth.
17 I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations: therefore shall the people praise thee for ever and ever.
Introduction
1 To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim, for the sons of Korah, Maschil, A Song of loves. My heart is inditing a good
matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer.
I see the first verse to be descriptive information preparing for the actual message of the Psalm, which commences in
the second verse. The information is introductory in nature, though it is part of the Psalm. The details being:
"The chief Musician" being the person in charge of the temple worship music.
"Shoshannim" means "the Lilies". Likely indicating for this Psalm to be played upon an instrument, or instruments, of
this name.
"The sons of Korah" being for a specific division in the temple musical service. This Psalm is one in a section thus
designated. Psalms 42-49, with the exception of 43 being without any label, are all for the sons of Korah. Though we
may not know exactly why they got this Psalm specifically, we can know they are somehow connected with a specific
commonality that would have called for being put together for them.
"Maschil" likely indicating the lyrical classification to be contemplative in nature, for edification. Much like the
difference in appreciating a beautiful car from just getting a glimpse of its body as opposed to being informed
about the incredible power and performance it is capable of. Such being more than we would have ever imagined. With
that extra information, we can begin to appreciate what we are looking at. In this case, we are beholding Christ
and His Church.
"A Song of loves" possibly indicating a "love song" or a song about what or who is beloved. Possibly a Psalm designated
this way also gave instruction as to the style in which it was to be performed.
"My heart is inditing a good matter:" The Hebrew word translated "matter" here is frequently translated "word". I would
see a more literal reading being, "Overflows my heart words that are good."
"I speak of the things which I have made touching the king:" This is the poetic match to the preceding. It is flowing
from words, to the act of speaking. The object of the overflowing heart is activated, as it were, in speaking forth
the extolling glory of the King.
"My tongue is the pen of a ready writer" is the third part in an increasing launch. This final phrase takes us to the
idea of his tongue, hence the word and the speech activating for undelayed pronouncement of the splendor to be revealed.
From this preparatory information, we turn to the object of the wonder the Psalmist is beholding:
The Groom
2 Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.
Looking at this initial phrase of wonder we find, "Thou art fairer than the children of men:". The word translated
"than" is also "from". You could also translate this out as "You are the fairest from the sons of men". This changes
the meaning to perceive the "You" or "Thou", being observed, to be one of the sons of men. The other reading would
tend to lose this very important point. The one the Psalmist is beholding is the Lord Jesus Christ, as we shall see.
Jesus came to earth as a man. As a perfect, none sin-stained man, He was clearly "the fairest".
"Grace is poured into thy lips:" turns our eyes to behold the fairness the Psalmist is beholding. His heart wasn't
ravished with physical beauty that impressed men, such as was seen in King Saul. What he beheld, was the incredible
words of life flowing forth in his speech.
"54 And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished,
and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works? 55 Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his
mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?
Matthew 15:54,55
The concluding part of these observations takes us to the "Therefore God hath blessed thee for ever". Though we know
the men who marveled at Christ hardened their hearts, we are told God did the opposite in exalting Christ. It was
because He came with that fairness that we find "therefore" or more literally, "upon this" God (Eloheem) blessed
this fairest one eternally.
3 Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty.
4 And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and thy right hand shall
teach thee terrible things.
These two verses work what is quite mysterious to most. Such that, in the days of Christ, the Jews rejected the Messiah
because their understanding pictured Him to be a mighty physical conqueror. They perceived the Messiah would have
to come as a conqueror over the Roman tyranny. Christ will indeed return as a victorious warrior, but His first coming
was baffling due to their confusion.
A quick look at verses three and four would lead many of the Jews to expect a military Messiah. Look closely at what
it says in combination of verse two. We see fairness of beauty and grace in His speech.
Verses three and four both refer to symbolism that the Jews knew referred to the greatest strength. The thigh and
the right hand. To the thigh was the prepared sword. That sword was the manifestation of His strength and glory.
The Hebrew again uses that word meaning "words". We see it translated here as "because", but "words" takes us back
to the previous grace poured into Christ's lips.
See the escalation of verse three. Christ came as a warrior prepared for war. He starts with might, then to the
glory, topping that with majesty. At that point, it is doubled in the Hebrew, for the majesty beginning verse
four is a mirror of the end of verse three. Double gives emphasis. At that double, He rides prosperously. That
means victory! Victory upon what? The Hebrew can be read, "upon the word of truth, and meekness right
(righteousness)". Those three things are the gospel. In that gospel, Christ's majesty has stood. Note also
these other two verses from the New Testament:
14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten
of the Father,) full of grace and truth. John 1:14
16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
Revelation 2:16
These verses shine greatly in helping us understand the power and way in which God was to be manifest.
"And thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things", can be read more literally as "and teach you fearful
things your right hand". This is three Hebrew words. Each is very significant.
The first is the word I am sure most are familiar with for "Torah". Its root meaning carries the idea of a
hand pointing out the way. A throwing motion. Like thrusting the direction with the arm and saying, "Go that
direction". All God's directions to us are literally "torah". Both the Old and the New Testament, every bit is
intended to be our guidance to go in the right direction.
The second word is the "fearful". It is the same word used to express the "fear of the Lord", and it indicates
a plural noun.
The third, and last word being "your right hand". As I have said, the right hand is an understood Hebraism for
strength in war.
Now it must be remembered that the tail end of this verse is addressing this "most mighty". These are words
addressed to Christ, not us. God's instruction, the true fear of the Lord and the conquering, Christ
accomplished in overcoming the powers of darkness of this world. This victory is foreseen in this short
three word phrase. They are expounded further in the following:
5 Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the king's enemies; whereby the people fall under thee.
The arrows are missiles of attack, not defence. Christ comes forth with effective weaponry that brings the
people of conquest under Him. The conquered are the King's enemies, and the death blow strikes the heart. This
has been fulfilled in two ways. First, those who turn to God must be smitten in their hearts, conquered by
Christ. The others harden their hearts and are destroyed eternally. As Jesus Himself said:
43 Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth
the fruits thereof. 44 And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall,
it will grind him to powder. Matthew 21:43,44
6 Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.
7 Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of
gladness above thy fellows.
These two verses are quoted in the New Testament in Hebrews:
8 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre
of thy kingdom. 9 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed
thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. Hebrews 1:8,9
This chapter of Hebrews, is expounding on the deity of Christ and quotes these verses for that purpose. We find
the clear statement there that the person in view is the Lord Jesus Christ. This Son of God is also God Himself.
That was the point in the writer of Hebrews quoting this passage from this Psalm.
Elsewhere we see Jesus is "Yahweh", such as Psalm 23. In this passage, we see Him called "Eloheem". The Psalmist
clearly beholds the Messiah as God, who will reign eternally. He also beholds the character of God's eternal kingdom.
That reigning sceptre will be wielded in an upright way.
Verse 7 goes to the heart of the Messiah. He doesn't just do a duty. He loves and He hates. His motives are founded
in His heart. It goes on to reflect that because of the proper love of righteousness and hatred of wickedness, the
Father, who is over the Son, hence the Son also calls Him "Eloheem", anointed the man Jesus to be Christ, that is
"Messiah". Messiah means "anointed one".
The last part of this verse takes us back to verse 2. Jesus Christ is fully man and fully God. It is because of His
humanity that we find "above thy fellows" while the preceding verse shows us His deity in "thy throne, O God". These
are some powerful verses on the nature of the Godhead.
One last observation here. What does the expression, "the oil of gladness" mean? Besides being a symbol of anointing,
oil is a symbol of blessing. The word for "gladness" is also the word for "joy". In this phrase we can see the rich,
joyous blessing that was to be poured upon God's Son because of His heart and character. He would be victorious, and
ultimately reign, gaining the desire of His heart in a people for God. A bride whose beauty He cherishes.
Unfortunately, the leading Jews of Jesus' day had no comprehension how all this could be, apart from a military leader.
Undoubtedly, if their hearts were pure, they would have received the revelation of truth, but such was not the case.
The end result, they experienced the wrath of God's sword of vengeance in 70 AD in the destruction of Jerusalem.
8 All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad.
The smell of myrrh and aloes was a common combination for notable, top quality, good perfume. We find this combination
in the Song of Solomon as well as at the burial of Christ.
The spice of Cassia is different. It is only mentioned three times in the Bible. This passage under view, dealers in it
in the markets in Ezekiel 27:19 and in Exodus 30:24, where it was part of the special perfume compounded for use in
the Tabernacle. It was so exclusive that whoever made any like it, for use outside the Tabernacle, was to be cut off
from Israel. The use of Cassia doesn't point absolutely to priesthood and Tabernacle service, but it does point that
direction.
Ivory palaces tells of great wealth. An ivory palace would have been considered the greatest of exorbitant wealth for
a home. Only a king would have owned one. King Ahab did have an ivory house (1 Kings 22:39).
"Whereby they have made thee glad" is an expression illustrating the Messiah has been shown honor and glorified. It is
much like the glory of King Solomon. In many ways, his came about because the kings of the earth sought his face,
bringing wealth as offerings. On account of this, Solomon could very well have met the description of this verse.
We have been given a brief, but focused, view of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Psalmist could have undoubtedly covered
many unmentioned graces, but limited himself to the chief objects. Aspects we all need to clearly understand. If we
are ignorant of these, we simply will not know the character and very nature of our Lord. We have seen His love of
righteousness and hatred of iniquity. We have seen His deity and His being the Son of God. We have seen His beauty
in the sight of the Father, and we have see the Father has glorified Christ to be Lord of all.
Next the view shifts to something special that Christ has His eyes on:
The Bride
9 Kings' daughters were among thy honourable women: upon thy right hand did stand the queen in gold of Ophir.
Verse 9 continues in its gaze upon Christ, for He must never be lost sight of. While beholding Him, the attention is
shifted to the glory of this queen at His side.
The use of "kings' daughters" describes the high level of women who were found in this King's household. The
description is again, much like we would have seen in King Solomon's court.
Now remember what I said about the right hand designating strength and might. It is interesting to note that upon
this King's right hand is found "the queen". This indicating the chief place of honor as well as indicating the place
of might and strength held by this particular queen. You will notice she is also standing. Sitting would be a
position of rest, but this queen is in an active position, just like the Church is Christ active in this world.
Such should be the stance of the Church in waiting upon Christ.
The "gold of Ophir" is indicating her glory, for that particular gold was always considered to be the finest quality.
Gold also is the chief metal used in the Temple. It tells us of that which comes from God. This queen's glory is not
of herself. It is that which comes from God that clothes her with that distinguished glory.
10 Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy father's house;
11 So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for he is thy Lord; and worship thou him.
Verses 10 and 11 are quite notable. Stop and think about this for a moment. The Psalmist is describing what he is
seeing. The sight is dazzling to him. He can barely write fast enough to take down what he is beholding. In this
recording of this glorious vision, he changes lanes as it were. He doesn't continue to tell us of the glory he is
beholding, he shifts to a word of instruction. These words are to us. This is a quick sermon contained within this
Psalm.
The Psalmist turns to this queen and addresses her. This queen, being the bride of the Son of God, shows us he is
speaking to us. He is also giving a warning. Listen to this carefully.
"Hearken", that is "give ear", "pay attention". That daughter, being the Church, is called to consider the call. It
is not assumed she has already done this. It specifically calls for her to "incline" her ear. That means a personal
choice of heart. Once this Psalmist has this "daughter's" ear, he proceeds with the vital message: "Forget also
thine own people, and thy father's house". This is the call we all must decide to act upon to become part of
Christ's bride. Except we forsake all that we have in this world, we cannot follow Him. Listen to Christ's own
words on this account:
59 And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. 60 Jesus said
unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. 61 And another also said, Lord,
I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. 62 And Jesus said unto him,
No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. Luke 9:59-62
Jesus' words reflect that same lesson of the call to forsake all and follow only Him. This also gives us the warning
that one of the hardest things to do in turning to Him is to forget our own people of the flesh and our own family.
Verse 11 gives us a valuable message. It shows a condition. IF this daughter forgets her own people and her father's
house, THEN this Son of God will "GREATLY desire thy beauty". The condition and the blessing are very clear. Is it
not also part of her beauty, that she so desires to give up these ties for the beloved?
It is also of note that the only specific aspect of her beauty mentioned is that gold, which represents that which
comes from God. She has nothing inherent of which to boast and claim His attention.
"For he is thy Lord; and worship thou him" flows forth as the natural crowning response in what is called for. This
daughter must recognize the position of Christ's lordship and literally bow before Him in worship. This surrendered
Church, that forsakes this world, will be beautiful in Christ's sight. To make this surrender, is to worship Him as
Lord!
It must also be considered that this daughter knows at least what has been revealed so far in this Psalm. She knows
this "most mighty" one is God's Son as well as God the Son. She knows His character is that He loves righteousness
and hates iniquity. With this knowledge, she is called to worship Him.
12 And the daughter of Tyre shall be there with a gift; even the rich among the people shall entreat thy favour.
The significance of this verse is its instruction as to the place of honor the queen would be lifted to. Those upon
whom others look as the honorable among men will be looking to this queen as even greater.
Tyre is mentioned. There is a reason for that. The following verses were words of judgment from God, coming upon Tyre,
but they reveal the crowning place of glory Tyre was noted for:
8 Who hath taken this counsel against Tyre, the crowning city, whose merchants are princes, whose traffickers are the
honourable of the earth? 9 The LORD of hosts hath purposed it, to stain the pride of all glory, and to bring into
contempt all the honourable of the earth.
Isaiah 23:8,9
The Church that has stayed faithful to Christ has not seen this honor on earth yet. There is a time coming when Christ
will reign on earth and then the world will entreat her favor.
13 The king's daughter is all glorious within: her clothing is of wrought gold.
The title here is revealing. This queen is the bride of the Son of God, but she is also called a daughter. At this
point we see whose daughter. How is she both the king's daughter as well as His queen? This intertwining, of what
would appear a contradictory statement, only goes to reveal more of the nature of this queen. This queen of the Son
of God, the Church, is also the daughter of God. All believers become sons and daughters of God:
17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I
will receive you, 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
2 Corinthians 6:17,18
The Church, in particular, is compared to a woman, as a whole, though it is comprised of both men and women.
The expression, "all glorious within" draws our attention to what is inside. No man can see that, but God knows what
is in the heart.
The clothing refers to the glory that others see without. They again behold that glory that reflects God's perfect
glory. Silver has a glory, but it tarnishes. It also wears away. Gold doesn't tarnish and it doesn't wear like the
silver. It is that Glory which is truly only God's that the other's are beholding in this Psalm.
14 She shall be brought unto the king in raiment of needlework: the virgins her companions that follow her shall be
brought unto thee.
I looked up "needlework" and found it referred repeatedly in reference to the fabric used in the Tabernacle or the
priest's garments. Besides verse 14, I found the following:
30 Have they not sped? have they not divided the prey; to every man a damsel or two; to Sisera a prey of divers
colours, a prey of divers colours of needlework, of divers colours of needlework on both sides, meet for the necks
of them that take the spoil? Judges 5:30
Though this verse refers to an unusual part of a song in the book of Judges, it does show us the value placed upon
"needlework". It too is like gold for being of great value, but notice its value comes from the labor of man. Its
beauty is the finest of the offering of man.
In "Oriental" custom, a bride was often accompanied by "virgins her companions". Remember Rebecca who was taken to
be the wife of Abraham's son Isaac:
61 And Rebekah arose, and her damsels, and they rode upon the camels, and followed the man: and the servant took
Rebekah, and went his way. Genesis 24:61
These damsels represent accompaniments of the bride of Christ. I can say we are seeing the clear indication of a
marriage taking place, by such a reference. I would predict that these virgins, that accompany to the needs of the
queen, are angels of God who watch His children on earth. They attend continually to His commands in caring for the
bride.
15 With gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought: they shall enter into the king's palace.
Oh the beauty of the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. We will not only go, we will be "brought". We will be gathered to
that joyous event.
This verse concludes with entry into the "king's palace" where we will live happily ever after with our Lord.
...and they'll live happily ever after!
16 Instead of thy fathers shall be thy children, whom thou mayest make princes in all the earth.
17 I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations: therefore shall the people praise thee for ever and ever.
For a romantic marriage song, we would have thought well enough to finish this at verse 15. These final two verses
come forth with special glory. In a way, I guess you could say they are the Father's blessing on the marriage. The
speaker changes to be the words of God Himself. Notice in verse 17 the "I will make". This tells us who the speaker
is, for only God has the power to promise something like this.
Verse 16 may sound kind of cryptic to our ears. To the Jewish ears, they would see these words with a greater ease of
understanding. In the Hebrew culture, of the Old Testament period, it was the older men who would be traditionally
consulted in leadership. Consider these words from Job:
6 And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am young, and ye are very old; wherefore I was afraid,
and durst not show you mine opinion. 7 I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.
Job 32:6,7
In fact, it was a sign of disgrace, with a few exceptions, such as this end of a demonic woman:
14 And when she looked, behold, the king stood by a pillar, as the manner was, and the princes and the trumpeters
by the king, and all the people of the land rejoiced, and blew with trumpets: and Athaliah rent her clothes, and
cried, Treason, Treason. 15 But Jehoiada the priest commanded the captains of the hundreds, the officers of the
host, and said unto them, Have her forth without the ranges: and him that followeth her kill with the sword. For
the priest had said, Let her not be slain in the house of the LORD. 16 And they laid hands on her; and she went
by the way by the which the horses came into the king's house: and there was she slain. 17 And Jehoiada made a
covenant between the LORD and the king and the people, that they should be the LORD'S people; between the king
also and the people. 18 And all the people of the land went into the house of Baal, and brake it down; his altars
and his images brake they in pieces thoroughly, and slew Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars. And the
priest appointed officers over the house of the LORD. 19 And he took the rulers over hundreds, and the captains,
and the guard, and all the people of the land; and they brought down the king from the house of the LORD, and came
by the way of the gate of the guard to the king's house. And he sat on the throne of the kings. 20 And all the
people of the land rejoiced, and the city was in quiet: and they slew Athaliah with the sword beside the king's
house. 21 Seven years old was Jehoash when he began to reign. 2 Kings 11:14-21
Such instances were special exceptions, and it was easy to see why it took place.
Verse 16 holds a promise that has not been able to exist. For the children to mature to such a position to responsibly
take on a role in wisdom and the fear of God, the people would have very long lives. Consider this passage from Isaiah:
19 And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor
the voice of crying. 20 There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days:
for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed. 21 And
they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. Isaiah 65:19-21
These verses are of blessing that is still to come.
The second half of verse 16 also reveals that all the world will be in subjection to the governing authority of these
princes.
The promise of verse 17, speaks of the same favor we saw back in verse 12, where the rich would "entreat thy favour".
It also speaks of a non-ending state of blessing.
Finally, the word translated "praise thee" is also translated as "give thanks". Consider how marvelous this is! God's
people, who have been so long despised, will not only beget the Princes to reign over the nations, the nations will be
grateful!
Though there are many different views, I believe the passage above, out of Isaiah, speaks of the millennial period of
Christ's reign on earth. If my assessment is correct, at the close of the millenium, the discontented will arise with
Satan to attack Jerusalem. God's wrath will fall, and the final judgment scene will begin. Following this, there will
be a new heaven and earth wherein dwelleth righteousness and peace for the final "happily ever after". The people who
hate God and His reign will be in the Lake of Fire while the godly will indeed be grateful to Israel, from whom Christ
came and to the Church, who is the body of Christ.
Thus ends this Psalm of rich content and deep thoughtfulness. Through it we gain a clearer view of Christ, His
long-term plans and the responsibility that lays upon us in our commitment to Christ, as His bride. We see the
altar call and the foundation of our beauty. We see the glory that is yet to be and His incredible care for us.
In closing, let us
remember the call:
"for
he is thy Lord;
and
worship
thou
him."
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 Free to Copy under Creative Commons BY-NC-ND3.0 License by Darrell Farkas
All quotations are from the King James Version of the Bible
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