Psalms 45

An excellent prophetical Epithalamium or wedding-song by occasion of Solomon his marriage with Pharo’s daughter, endited for the spiritual marriage of the bridegroom Jesus Christ, with his dear spouse, the Catholic Church of Jews and Gentiles.

1. AN Instruction [See Psa.32.v.1.] a song (or hymn) of Loves; [or of the beloved, viz.young daughters, or friends; that is to say a wedding-song made upon the occasion (as many conceive) of the marriage of Solomon (who was a type of Christ, with the daughter of the King of Egypt; out peculiarly aiming at the marriage (Ephe.5.25,32.) of the Bridegroom Christ, with his church, collected out of Jews and Gentiles, as appeareth by Heb.1.8.9. in which regard this Psalm hath much affinity with the Canticles (or song of songs) of Solomon. See there chap.3. and 8. For the chief song-master among the children of Korah] [See Psa.4.1. and Psa.42.1.] upon Schoschanim [This, Hebrew word is likewise used in the title of Psa.69. and 80. And such a like one in the title of Psa.60. signifying Lillies thus called (as some coniecture) from having six leaves; though what be meant by it is uncertain. Some do hold it for a Musical Instrument of six strings, whereon this Psalm was to be played: others for a certain this word, according to the tune whereof this Psalm was to be plaid and sung.]

2. My heart propoundeth [Heb. Properly boileth, or bubbleth forth, the Hebrew word is no where else found in the Bible, but from it another word is derived, that signifies a kettle, or frying-pan, wherein something being sod or fried, the heat of the fire doth make it to bubble up: so (will the Prophet say) was his heart kindled and heated by the fire of the holy Ghost, to propound this excellent doctrine unto the Church of God, with singular zeal and fervency. Compare Psa.19.on v.3.] a good speech [or a good matter, something (very) good, or goodly; excellent] I rehearse (or speak out) my inditings [Heb. Works (or poesies) of a King, my tongue is a pen of a ready writer. [i.e. like a pen or the quil of one that is well versed and practised in writing, (Compare Ezra 7:6. Isa.16.5.) whereof the readiness, swiftness, or expediteness is a sign.]

3. Thou art much fairer then the children of men, [viz. Then other men] grace is poured out into thy lips; [or thy lips are poured over with grace, so that thy words are full of grace and favour. Compare Luke 4:22.] therefore God hath blessed thee in eternity. [that is, for and to such end and purpose, or for (or because) that God hath, &c. As the Hebrew word Al-chen is taken. See Jer.48.on v.36.]

4. Gird thy sword on the hip, O Champion: thy Majesty and thy Glory. [This some connex with the word sword; as if the Prophet should say; which sword (viz. The word of truth, whereof in the sequel) is thy Majesty and glory. Oth.in, or with thy Majesty.]

5. And ride prosperously [Heb. Prosper, ride. Compare the joying of two verbs with 1 Sam.2.3. Psa.51.4. and 55.8. and 106.13. Hos.6.3.&c.] (in) thy glory, upon the word of truth [oth. Because, by reason, or in behalf of the truth. Thus the Doctrine of the gospel is called, 2 Cor.6.7. 2 Tim.2.15. Jam.10.18.] and righteous, meekness, [Heb. Meekness, righteousness, i.e. such meekness as is accompanied with righteousness. Or (with) meekness (and) righteousness] and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things. [i.e. thou shalt archive terrible things through thy power; thou shalt shew and manifest them before all the world, and execute terrible judgement upon the Enemies of the Truth. Compare the next verse and Psa.2.v.19. and 110.5,6. Or teach thee terrible things.]

6. Thine arrows are sharp, [See Deut.32.on v.23. and Job 6.on v.4. Some do understand it not onely of the Judgments, but also of the words of Christ. Compare Heb.4.12. 2 Cor.10,4,5.] Nations shall fall under thee, (they hit) [viz. The arrows of this King. Otherwise people (or Nations) shall fall under thee, which are, etc.] in the heart of the Kings Enemies [i.e. in the very midst of them. [Otherw. Which in heart are the Kings Enemies.]

7. Thy throne, O God [That this is to be understood of the Lord Jesus Christ, we have the clear testimony of the holy Ghost, Heb.1.8,9.] is eternally and evermore: the Scepter of thy Kingdom is a Scepter of justness [or equity.]

8. Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore [Or because, as above v.3.] O God, hath thy God [viz. The Father. Compare Psa.22.2. John 20:17.] anointed thee with oil of joy [understand the anointing of the holy Ghost, who is the Author and causer of all spiritual joy and gladness See Acts 10:38.] above thy partakers. [i.e. beyond all believers, who are members of Christ and by grace made Priests and Kings together with him, 1 Pet.2.9. Rev.1.6. See also John 3:34.]

9. All thy garments, are myrrh, and able (and) cassia: [i.e. they smell so richly of these spices, as if they were nothing else. Compare Prov.7.17.] out of the ivory [See 1 King 10.18.] Palaces [or Temples. Understand here, when thou art coming forth thence, as a Bridgegroom; or thy cloaths, and those spices, which came forth or were taken out of ivory Palaces, and where with they have cheared thee, or made thee glad, i.e. honoured and adorned thee. Solomons royal glory and courts are mentioned in the Scripture; as for Christ, he is come into the flesh out of the heavenly palace, and hath brought thence his Doctrine, and received his anointing thence. See Mat.3.16. John.3.13,31.] from whence they make thee joyful. [or above those that make thee glad, or cheer thee, viz. Thy part-takes (as above), called the children of the wedding, and the Bridegrooms friends, Mat.9.15. John.3.29.]

10. Kings daughters are among thy precious (statedamsels,) [Heb. Costly (one) in the Feminnine, so that it must be understood of females. Compare v.15.Oth. in thy cost yesses] the Queens stand at thy right hand; [or the Bed-partner, which is here the Bride] in the finest gold of Ophir. [See 1 King.9.on v.28.]

11. Hear, o daughter, [Here the speech is addressed to the bride] and behold, and encline thine ears: and forget thy people and thy Fathers house: [i.e. forsake that idolatrous Religion, which is exercised and practised among thy own people or nation, and in thy Fathers house. Compare also Mat.10.37. Luke 14:26.]

12. Then shall the King delight in thy Beauty, [Largely described in the Canticles of Solomon] because he is thy Lord, therefore bow thee down before him. [or worship, adore him, as the Son of God.]

13. And the daughter of Tyrus, [Oth. As for (or concerning) the daughter of Tyrus, the rich, i.e. the inhabitants of Tyrus, the City of Tyrus. Of this City See Jos.19.on v.29. and 2 Kings 5.on v.1. and compare Psa.72.v.10.11. Isa.49.v.23.] the rich among the people shall supplicate (or petition) thy face with presents. [See Job 11.on v.19.]

14. The Kings daughter is wholly made honourable with, [Or from within. Solomon’s Bride in her retiring chambers; but Christ his bride hath her spiritual excellency or gloriousness within, in the inner man (Ephe.3.16.) consisting in spiritual gifts. Compare Rev.19.8.] her apparel is of golden embroidery [or caskets, i.e. full of caskets or scutchins, set or filled with precious stones, as this word is taken, Exod.28.v.11,13,14, 25. And 39.6,13,16. The Hebrew word is likewise taken for eylit-work, or embroidered-work, embroidery, boarding, whereby the variety of spiritual gifts may be understood. Compare Ezek.16.13.]

15. In embroidered cloathes shall she be led unto the King: the Young daughters (that) are after her, her Companions shall be brought unto thee.

16. They shall be led with all gladness and rejoicing, [Heb. Gladnesses] they shall enter into the Kings Palace.

17. Instead of thy Fathers, thy sons shall be; [This is said to the King, (Christ, together with his bride) of whom it is prophesied, that (like his fore-fathers after the flesh) he shall not want spiritual sons, which shall preach the gospel through all the world, feed and govern his Church with the word of God, and sit afterwards upon thrones, and reign with Christ in glory. See Mat.19.28. and 24.47. and 28.19. Rev.5.10. Or we may understand by the fathers, the believers of the old Testament, and by the sons all the faithful of the New Testament, whom Christ hath made Kings and Priests, Rev.1.6, &c.] thou shalt set them Princes over all the Earth [This cannot be understood of Solomon, seeing that under his son Rehabeam, and onward, the Kingdom was divided, and the ten tribes rent from Juda. See 1 King.12.16,17,24.]

18. I shall cause thy name to be remembered, from cach generation to generation: [Heb. In all generation and generation] therefore shall the nations praise thee eternally and ever more.