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Psalm 45

The Wedding of the Victorious King

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For the choir director. According to “Lilies.”[a]
By the Sons of Korah. A maskil. A love song.

Introduction

My heart is bubbling over with a beautiful theme.
I am reciting my works for the King.
My tongue is the pen of a rapid writer.

The Glory of the Royal Groom

You are the most beautiful of the sons of Adam.
Grace is poured out on your lips.
Therefore God has blessed you forever.

Strap your sword on your thigh, you mighty warrior,
    in your splendor and your majesty.
In your majesty advance successfully.
Ride forward in the cause of truth, humility, and righteousness.
Let your right hand teach you awesome deeds.
Your arrows are sharpened.
Let peoples fall beneath you.
Your arrows are in the heart of the king’s enemies.

Your throne, O God, is forever and ever.
The scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of justice.
You love righteousness and hate wickedness.
Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of joy
    more than any of your companions.

Myrrh, aloes, and cassia perfume all your garments.
From ivory palaces stringed instruments make you glad.
Daughters of kings are among your honored attendants.
The royal wife[b] stands at your right hand in gold from Ophir.

The Beauty of the Bride

10 Hear, O daughter, look and listen.
Forget your people and your father’s house,
11 because the king desires your beauty.
Because he is your lord, bow down to him.
12 Then the daughter of Tyre will come with a gift.
The richest people will seek your favor.
13 The princess, who waits inside, is all glorious.
Her dress is interwoven with gold.
14 In embroidered garments she is led to the king.
Virgins who follow her as attendants are brought to you.
15 They are brought with joyful celebration.
They enter the palace of the king.

The Glory of the King’s Children

16 Your sons will take the place of your fathers.
You will make them princes in all the earth.
17 I will preserve the memory of your name through all generations.
Therefore peoples will praise you forever and ever.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 45:1 This may be the name of the tune.
  2. Psalm 45:9 This may refer to the queen mother (Song 3:11). The next section is addressed to the King’s bride.