Psalms 45

Psalm 45 is a royal wedding song, sung by a poet to a king who is handsome, mighty and just, and to his bride. Christians have long seen in this king a picture of Christ, whose throne is forever and whose people are his bride. The psalm ends with the promise that his name will be praised by all nations.

Psalms 45:1

The poet is so moved by his subject that words well up in him. He has a good theme, the king, and he offers his speech as a skilled scribe offers his pen. Praise of the king is meant to come from a full heart, not from duty.

BSA: stirred (“moved, overflowing”): The poet’s heart brims over, so his words come from fullness, not effort.

Hebrew: רָחַשׁ (rachash, H7370) — “to stir, bubble up.” The Hebrew word pictures something simmering or boiling over. The song rises from a heart that cannot hold its praise in.

Psalms 45:2

The king is more beautiful than other men, and his words carry grace. God’s blessing rests on him without end. For Christians this recalls Jesus, of whom people marveled at the gracious words that came from his mouth.

BSA: grace (“poured into thy lips”): Grace is pictured as poured out on his lips, so that his speech is gracious and winning.

See also: Luke 4:22.

Psalms 45:3-4

The king is called to take up his sword and ride out. His war is not for conquest alone, but for truth, humility and justice. His power serves what is right, and his right hand does deeds that inspire awe.

BSA: victory (“triumphantly, with great might”): His ride succeeds because he fights for what is right. humility (“meekness, gentleness”): This king’s strength is joined to gentleness, not pride.

See also: Revelation 19:11.

Psalms 45:5

The king’s arrows strike his enemies to the heart, and nations fall under his feet. The picture is of complete victory for the rightful king. Those who oppose his rule cannot stand.

BSA: feet (“in submission, under your authority”): Falling at his feet means yielding to his rule.

Psalms 45:6

The psalm now speaks to the king as God. His throne never ends, and his scepter, the sign of his rule, is justice. The New Testament applies these words to the Son, whose reign is eternal and perfectly fair.

BSA: scepter (“rod of power”): His rule is carried out by justice, not by force alone.

Hebrew: אֱלֹהִים (Elohim, H430) — “God.” The king is addressed with the word for God. Hebrews 1 takes this as spoken to the Son.

See also: Hebrews 1:8-9.

Psalms 45:7

The king’s character matches his throne. He loves what is right and hates what is evil, and so God, his God, sets him above all others with joy. His reward is gladness, which comes from a life aligned with God.

BSA: loved (“with passion and commitment”): His love for righteousness is a deep commitment, not mere approval. anointed (“appointed, set apart”): The anointing marks him as God’s chosen king.

Hebrew: מְשָׁחֲךָ (meshachakha, H4886) — “anointed you.” This word comes from the same root as ‘Messiah’, which means the Anointed One.

Psalms 45:8

The scene is a royal wedding. The king’s robes smell of costly perfumes, and music rises from ivory-inlaid palaces. Everything about the day speaks of joy, richness and honor.

BSA: ivory (“a valuable, pure material”): Palaces decked with ivory show wealth and splendor.

Psalms 45:9

Royal women are among those who honor the king, and the queen stands at his right hand, the place of highest honor. She is adorned with the finest gold. Christians have seen here the church, honored beside her Lord.

BSA: right hand (“position of honor, authority”): To stand at his right is to be given the place of greatest favor.

See also: Ephesians 5:25-27.

Psalms 45:10

The poet now speaks to the bride. She is to listen closely and leave her old home behind. A new life with the king asks for a new loyalty. It is a tender call, not a harsh one.

BSA: Forget (“leave behind, abandon”): She is asked to turn from her old ties and give her heart to her new home.

See also: Genesis 2:24; Luke 14:26.

Psalms 45:11

The king delights in his bride’s beauty. She is to honor him, for he is her lord. In this setting, the love of the king and the bride’s trust in him go together.

BSA: bow (“worship, show reverence”): Her honor to him is reverence, which is more than courtesy.

Psalms 45:12

Tyre was a wealthy trading city. Its people bring gifts, and the rich seek her favor. Because she is joined to the king, even the great honor her.

BSA: gift (“offering, present”): The gifts show homage to the king and his bride.

Psalms 45:13

The bride is glorious in her private chamber. Her gown is woven with gold. The beauty described here is the beauty of a bride made ready for her king.

BSA: embroidered (“inwrought, of wrought gold”): Gold is worked into the very fabric, so her beauty is full and finely made.

See also: Revelation 19:7-8.

Psalms 45:14-15

In richly colored robes the bride is led to the king, and her virgin companions are brought in with her. All enter the king’s palace with joy and gladness. The procession is happy, and those who come to the king come to rejoicing.

BSA: joy (“happiness, gladness”): The whole procession is marked by rejoicing as the bride is brought home.

Psalms 45:16

The king’s line will go on. His sons will take the place of his fathers and rule as princes through the land. His reign does not end with him, but continues in those who come after.

BSA: princes (“rulers”): His sons will carry authority in his name.

See also: Revelation 1:6.

Psalms 45:17

The poet promises that the king’s name will be remembered in every generation. As a result, peoples everywhere will give him praise forever. The psalm closes by looking beyond the wedding to a worldwide and unending praise.

BSA: nations (“peoples, Gentiles”): The king’s praise will reach beyond one people to all peoples.

See also: Philippians 2:9-11.