Psalm 45

Easy-to-Read Version

To the director: To the tune “Shoshanim.”^[a] A maskil from the Korah family. A love song.

45 Beautiful thoughts fill my mind
as I speak these lines for the king.
These words come from my tongue
as from the pen of a skilled writer.

²You are more handsome than anyone,
    and you say such pleasant things.
    So God will always bless you.
³Put on your sword, mighty warrior,
    so impressive in your splendid uniform.
⁴Go out in your greatness to win the victory for what is true and right.
    Let us see the amazing things you can do with your powerful right arm.^[b]
⁵Your sharp arrows will go deep into the hearts of your enemies,
    who will fall to the ground in front of you.
⁶God,^[c] your kingdom will last forever.
    You use your authority for justice.
⁷You love what is right and hate what is wrong.
    So God, your God, chose you to be king,
    giving you more joy and honor than anyone like you.^[d]
⁸From your clothes comes the wonderful smell of myrrh, aloes, and cassia.
    In palaces decorated with ivory, you enjoy the music of stringed instruments.
⁹Here are ladies of honor, daughters of kings.
    Your bride^[e] stands at your right side, wearing a gown decorated with the finest gold.

¹⁰My lady,^[f] listen to me.
    Listen carefully and understand me.
Forget your people and your father’s family,
¹¹    so that the king will be pleased with your beauty.
He will be your new husband,^[g]
    so you must honor him.
¹²People from Tyre will bring you gifts.
    Their richest people will try to win your friendship.

¹³The princess is so beautiful in her gown,
    like a pearl set in gold.
¹⁴Clothed in beauty, she is led to the king,
    followed by her bridesmaids.
¹⁵Filled with joy and excitement,
    they enter into the king’s palace.

¹⁶Your sons will be kings like their ancestors.
You will make them rulers throughout the land.
¹⁷You will be famous for generations.
People will praise you forever and ever.

Footnotes

Psalm 45:1 Psalm 45 To the tune “Shoshanim” Or “On the Shoshanim.”
Psalm 45:4 right arm This pictures God as a warrior-king. The right arm is a symbol of his power and authority.
Psalm 45:6 God This might be a song to God as king. Or here, the writer might be using the word “God” as a title for the king.
Psalm 45:7 chose … anyone like you Literally, “anointed you with the oil of gladness above your companions.” This refers to the special oil used in the dedication of a new priest or king.
Psalm 45:9 bride Or “queen.”
Psalm 45:10 My lady Literally, “Daughter.”
Psalm 45:11 husband Or “master.”