The Majesty of The King And His Bride
Notes
Transcript
Open your bible with me to Psalm 45
This morning, we will begin a short mini-series on the Psalms. It will accomplish a few things. First, it will dovetail into what we’ve been seeing in the Gospel of Luke. We’ve seen most contextually, the glory and the majesty of Christ. We beheld this glory on the Mountain at the Transfiguration, and the same glory in the valley, and the same majesty anticipated in the coming passion and gospel of Jesus Christ.
This will also allow us to catch our breath from almost a year of exposition in the Gospel of Luke. Many notable Bible expositors spoke of the wisdom of stepping back from weekly expositions for rest and spiritual vibrancy. The grind of the weekly prep in a book can be a heavy burden. So, I’m looking forward to the change in pace over the next few weeks. It will allow some others to teach and preach as well. Finally, it will dovetail into various holiday and travel schedules in this time of year.
We find herein Psalm 45, a hymn for a royal wedding. And while there are many debates about who this wedding speaks to. I’ll go ahead and give the spoiler alert. It’s ultimately about Christ and His church! Psalm 45 teaches us this great principle and truth.
Sermon Summary: Christ’s majesty is displayed through His love for His church.
And because we read the Psalm just before the sermon. I’m going to read, just the super scription. And the reason is to teach us something I’ve communicated before, but want you continue to wrestle with and know. That in the book of Psalms, you often have these superscriptions, and say, well, those don’t matter much, let’s get to the inspired text of the words of the Psalmist. And I would just submit that these words are also included in the text of scripture. That, as believers, we believe these words aren’t merely introductory thoughts but are also God-breathed and inspired by the Holy Spirit.
1 My heart overflows with a good theme; I address my verses to the King; My tongue is the pen of a skillful scribe.
The superscription indicates this is a song, a hymn….It is a Shoshannim, likely indicating that this is a tune set to music, and the music is that of the sonsof Korah. A Maskil – an unknown musical term, but it is likely akin to done with skill or with insight.
If you recall, Korah was a Levite from Kohath who led a revolt against Moses and Aaron, along with Dathan and Abiram and others. In which they gathered 250 leaders of the congregation (Numbers 16:1-35). Many of the Kohathites resented their assigned duties and coveted the priestly role. Korah roused this group to challenge Moses and Aaron’s authority over the priesthood, with Moses summoning them to burn incense before God.
The rebellion was catastrophic. The earth opened and swallowed Korah and his followers, while fire consumed 250 men, becoming a warning to others (Num 26:9-11). Yet, the Sons of Korah did NOT die - they had heeded the warning and departed from the tent of the rebels.
Later, David installed the descendants as worship leaders in Jerusalem after the Ark was brought there in 1 Chronicles 6:31,37. They were considered gatekeepers and bakers. They were among the chief singers (Levitical singers) of David and were regarded as the founders of a singing guild who assisted in the public worship of the 2nd Temple. They composed or edited a collection of psalms. 11 of the Psalms are ascribed to them. So most believe that while the Sons of Korah composed the melody of Psalm 45, it was David who penned these words.
OF a coming KING! And Of His coming UNION AND MARRIAGE TO HIS BRIDE!
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I. Confess Christ As King (v.1-9)
I. Confess Christ As King (v.1-9)
There is much discussion of this King. And who this king is. It seems to be clear that it is a descendant of the line of David. Some believe Solomon, who inherited external beauty and a royal marriage alliance. Others believe it is possibly Joash, Hezekiah, or Josiah. And while I don’t ignore that there might be a proximate fulfillment in mind. Spoiler alert, and I’m going to preach towards the final fulfillment, that is CHRIST as the KINGin view. And I’ll explain that in a moment.
1 My heart overflows with a good theme; I address my verses to the King; My tongue is the pen of a skillful scribe. 2 You are fairer than the sons of men; Grace is poured upon Your lips; Therefore God has blessed You forever. 3 Gird Your sword on Your thigh, O Mighty One, In Your splendor and Your majesty! 4 And in Your majesty ride on victoriously, For the cause of truth and meekness and righteousness; Let Your right hand teach You awesome things. 5 Your arrows are sharp; The peoples fall under You; Your arrows are in the heart of the King’s enemies. 6 Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of uprightness is the scepter of Your kingdom. 7 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of joy above Your companions. 8 All Your garments are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia; Out of ivory palaces stringed instruments have made You glad. 9 Kings’ daughters are among Your noble ladies; At Your right hand stands the queen in gold from Ophir.
The Psalmist responds to the dread of Israel’s defeat in Psalm 44, now to the hope of a coming KING, who is enthroned!
And to whom my heart overflows! The inspiration of the Psalmist is but one thing. This majestic KING! My lips will utter words like a skillful scribe. Like the scribal eloquence of Ezra in Ezra 7:6.
Oh, KING– YOU are BEAUTIFUL! You are fairer than the sons of men. – literally of the sons of Adam!
Notice: he says, "You are gracious in your speech!" (v.2.) You are mighty in your victory and military might and strength. And in your splendor!! – Your MAJESTY!! He continues – v.4 – Oh king, you promote JUSTICE in your ways!! For the cause of truth and meekness, and righteousness. You lead God’s people in a way that promotes favor and blessing towards God. And also, a great honor in the eyes of the world.
And beyond that – You live in a way that is beyond and above the perverseness in our world!! You speak with grace. You defend the truth, not perversion. Gentleness and humility rather than pride. Righteousness and NOT falsehood.
And I want you to notice something – in verse 6. Notice the subtle but so important shift in v.6 – YOUR THRONE, O GOD, is forever and ever. Did you catch it? This KING is NOT only greater than the sons of men (v.2). He is in the Psalmist's eye – MightyGod!
And it’s here that an interesting junction is happening in verses 6-7. Most scholars see this Psalm with a chiastic structure. A form of Hebrew poetry where the great crescendo occurs right here in the middle of the Psalm in verses 6-7. Where the Psalm speaks of this scepter. This authoritative staff of authority. The scepter of YOUR KINGDOM. To whom no one debates, the Psalmist is clear that this is a prophetic promise to David’s descendants. The promise of God to David in 2 Samuel 7:16 that one of his descendants would be king forever over God’s people.
And here we are right at the crux of the question of then who is this son– Who is most beautiful than the son of ADAM. And O Godin majesty. Who is gracious, just, and true, who is the descendant of the throne of David.
Well, allow me to give you a hermeneutical principle. That’s a fancy term for how to read and understand your bible. And that is this – we interpret the Old Testament in light of the New Testament fulfillment. I’ve taught you this before, but that is to say, the way that we best and rightly understand our Old Testament promises made by God….is by rightly interpreting them through the grid of the promises KEPT by God, in the New Testament. And if the NEW TESTAMENT authors give us biblical clarity, then we would be wise to read our Bibles in light of that revelation.
So, turn with me to Hebrews 1:8-9. The author of Hebrews makes his appeal that it is Jesus Christ who is the full and final revelation of God. The true radiance of God’s glory. The supreme and superior revelation of God.
5 For to which of the angels did He ever say, “You are My Son, Today I have begotten You”? And again, “I will be a Father to Him And he shall be a Son to Me”? 6 And when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says, “And let all the angels of God worship Him.” 7 And of the angels He says, “Who makes His angels winds, And His ministers flaming fire.” 8 But of the Son He says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, And the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of Your kingdom. 9 “You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness above Your companions.”
And I would submit to you – without any doubt or question. Who is this King described in Psalm 45? Much greater than Solomon or any of David’s proximate offspring. Or any kings that would come in his near lineage. The true King who is adored and confessed. IS…. Sunday School says – JESUS!!
And everything in this Psalm – the joy, the beauty, the splendor, the glory, the hope of this Psalmist all depends on the ultimate fulfillment, who is Christ as King!
And the same is true for us! That is in our worship. Everything depends on Him. Everything is about him! It all crescendos towards him, and is found in HIM! The anticipation and hope of this Psalm is the hope we see born in Luke’s gospel in the city of David, who is Christ the Lord…The hope of Christ and the wonder and majesty of Christ, the KING! It is the God-man, Jesus Christ! Born of the VIRGIN! (That is the incarnation!) Dying in our place (vicarious atonement) and being raised to life (in his resurrection) and to glory (His Ascension).
This is true in our worship. And true in our lives. That our faith! Our decision and actions. In our obedience and lives, be anchored and rooted in Jesus! For he is our great hope! And our only hope! This is what Dr. Luke has been teaching us in Luke 9. That everything about our lives is centered on Christ and following him. Our ambition, our loyalty, our identities, and our allegiance would be to Christ above all things!
That we would do as the Psalm here…and
--------------------------------------------------- Confess Christ as King
II. Trust The King Who Reigns (v. 1-9)
II. Trust The King Who Reigns (v. 1-9)
These verses speak to the glory of the BRIDEGROOM of the UNION in marriage to His BRIDE. And it is Christ who is this BRIDEGROOM. And it is Christ who is the fairest of all the sons of men. And it is the Bridegroomwho is CHRIST, who is the KING.
In Psalm 45, He girds His sword upon His thigh, pointing forward to Christ who comes as the great Warrior-King in Revelation 19 and 21. From His mouth proceeds a sharp sword, and it is Christ who rides forth victoriously. When He aims His arrows, the nations are subdued; His sharp sword brings them into submission. This imagery speaks of His divine authority—others are bound and made captive under His reign. He rides victoriously (v.4) for the cause of truth, meekness, and righteousness. He rules and reigns, and His enemies are placed under His feet (v.5).
His throne is eternal (v.6), and His scepter represents righteous authority and just rule. He is the anointed one who loves righteousness and hates wickedness (v.7) His garments reflect royalty and splendor, and from His ivory palaces, accompanied by the sound of stringed instruments, He is made glad (v.8). Daughters of kings are honored at His right hand; the royal bride stands adorned in gold, symbolizing honor, beauty, and the faithful who share in His reign (v.9).
Psalm 45 was originally written to celebrate the marriage of a king, using rich and poetic language to describe his majesty, strength, and the honor of his bride. The imagery of swords, thrones, and splendor highlights the glory of a royal wedding and the king’s role as God’s chosen ruler. Yet even in this immediate context, the psalm points beyond the earthly ceremony to Christ, the ultimate Bridegroom. He alone perfectly embodies the beauty, righteousness, and victorious reign celebrated here, and the Church is the eternal Bride who shares in His glory.
While the Psalm speaks of the king’s might and victory, it is also celebrating the beauty and splendor of his wedding. Both images together point forward to Christ, the ultimate Bridegroom and victorious King. That is Christ, who is victorious and the righteous king! He reigns in truth! He reigns in splendor and in glory. This is the glory of the BRIDEGROOM!!
And the invitation is trust in the KING who reigns in truth and righteousness. That Christ, the mighty warrior, is triumphant. Christ, the reigning king, is victorious, and His kingdom is forever. And beloved, His kingdom is good! His reign is good and delightful for those who rest in him!! His scepter is a scepter of uprightness (v.6). He delights in righteousness and hates wickedness.
Oh, what a beautiful and glorious king He is. What a glorious kingdom in which he sits enthroned.
That we might learn to rest in Him and delight in HIM! That it is the Lord who goes before us. It is the Lord who fights for us. The Lord who defends us. The Lord who sustains us. That He is Lord! He is King! And that we would learn to trust in Him. Look to Him. Trust in His sovereignty and providence in our lives. Because His reign is good and righteous!!
And since he is the King. We would submit to Him. We would look to His word for guidance, instruction, and life. That our speech would be subject to His Lordship. That our decision would be subject to His truth!
And I’ll add another that is harder. It’s trusting the king even when His timing is NOT on par with ours. That in our waiting. We wait with great patience and hope. That we long rightly and anticipate His justice, so we don’t have to seek to defend our cause constantly. That we don’t have to vindicate ourselves and seek to redeem ourselves. He is our redeemer, and we can trust in Him. We don’t have to take matters into our own hands. We can trust the King!!
Because He is the Bridegroom, and He cares for His choice bride!! He will defend her, and He will fight for her!! This is a hymn of a royal wedding procession! We’ve seen the glory of the Bridegroom. And now we turn to the bride in view!
--------------------------------------------------- Trust the King Who Reigns
III. Respond Rightly As The Bride of Christ (v.10-12)
III. Respond Rightly As The Bride of Christ (v.10-12)
As the royal procession continues – Here she comes. Here comes the bride. And instruction for her in response to Her BELOVED. You really see that in verse 9. Namely, verse 9 is a hinge verse that begins to orientour attention towards the coming bride.
10 Listen, O daughter, give attention and incline your ear: Forget your people and your father’s house; 11 Then the King will desire your beauty. Because He is your Lord, bow down to Him. 12 The daughter of Tyre will come with a present; The rich among the people will seek your favor.
These verses open to four commands – LISTEN! – attend His word.... GIVE ATTENTION – focus your heart…. INCLINE YOUR EAR!!- obey in action …. And finally FORGET!! – forsake your old life.
Here is a picture of devotion and loyalty. That the bride looks to her husband!! That she is to, note the language. Forget your people and your father’s house. This is a picture of leaving father and mother, and holding fast to your spouse. This is a picture of forsaking the past to cling to your new union in holy matrimony. That is, we leave, and we cleave!
And that she looks to him in honor. That we are submissive to him. Verse 11is NOT a means of works righteousness, but about a fitting response of faithfulness to him as King. That is, she would look to him. Love Him! BlessHim, and Respect Him!
Then finally – verse 12. That she looks to him in hope! And here. It is a picture of the benefits of her union with the Bridegroom. That is the benefits of the King, now belong to her as she is nowfound in him through this bond of marriage and togetherness. That is the daughter of Tyre, as a picture personification of the world’s wealth and kingdom, the other foreign nations come and pay homage to the king, and thereby come to THE BRIDE with homage and see her as choice and royal! That is, she benefits from her union with the King. His friends and subjects are now hers. She has great gain in her beloved, NOT loss.
And this is NOT only a picture of the joy of marriage. Of leaving and cleaving, and of honor and submission. The protection, beauty, and benefits of our union in marriage. And how much more is that true for us in Christ? That it is Christ and the church, which is the prototype of our union on earth. That is the gospel of Christ in which we are called. To forsake our former ways. To leave and deny our former sin and ignorance.
Just as the bride in Psalm 45 is called to leave her former attachments and devote herself fully to the King, so too does Scripture call God’s people to a spiritual leaving—forsaking sin and the ways of the world—to be united with Christ as His holy and chosen people. This is the same truth Peter emphasizes in 1 Peter 2, showing us how our union with Christ transforms our identity and daily living.
1 Therefore, laying aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, 2 like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, 3 if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord. 4 And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
He continues in verses 9-10
9 But you are a chosen family, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
And this is why you hear the Apostle Paul speaking to our union in Christ as His church. In this way –
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, 26 so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she would be holy and blameless. 28 So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; 29 for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, 30 because we are members of His body. 31 For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. 32 This mystery is great, but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband.
That we, as the bride of Christ, might leave and cleave solely to Christ! Abstaining from worldly lusts and their passion. That we might look to Christ alone as our adorned Bridegroom! So that we could examine our lives together. To live in purity and holiness as a bride who is set apart unto Christ alone! That we forsake idols. We forsake sin that clings to us so closely. That we leave them behind to follow Jesus! That we do that together! And that we do that personally!
Responding rightly as the bride of Christ means examining our hearts and letting go of habits, relationships, or desires that pull us away from Him. It looks like daily choosing prayer over distraction, forgiveness over resentment, and love over selfishness—practices that honor Christ as our Lord and King in every area of life.
That we live and respond rightly to His Lordship and rule over us!! Because He is Lord, we bow our knee to HIM!
And that we might rejoice and rejoice in his benefits. To know that all that we have in Christ has been imparted to us in Him! Forgiveness, grace, reconciliation, our inheritance as sons in Christ. All of it through our union in CHRIST. And how in the Lord Jesus, he has brought the nations together in Him. Like the daughter of Tyre coming with gifts to the King, so in Christ, that the nations come and bow down to Him, and are subjects in Him, and through His redemption have been saved from all nations, tribes, and tongues, and have been united together in Him.
That is to consider: this redemption is shared. It’s shared with brothers and sisters, who are partakers with us, in His Church. That means there is unity and accountability in him, of which we too participate.
--------------------------------------------------- Respond Rightly To The King As The Bride of Christ
IV. Rejoice in Glory As The Redeemed Bride (v.13-17)
IV. Rejoice in Glory As The Redeemed Bride (v.13-17)
Now, finally, we see the bridal processionand glory of their union.
13 The King’s daughter is all glorious within her chamber; Her clothing is interwoven with gold. 14 She will be led to the King in embroidered work; The virgins, her companions who follow her, Will be brought to You. 15 They will be led forth with gladness and rejoicing; They will enter into the King’s palace. 16 In place of your fathers will be your sons; You shall set them up as princes in all the earth. 17 I will cause Your name to be remembered from generation to every generation; Therefore the peoples will give You thanks forever and ever.
Now, as the bride has forsaken her former people. And her Father’s House. Arrayed in her wedding garments (v.14), She now comes and is led to the king (v.14). She goes from her chambers with her bridesmaids and comes into the King’s Palace (v.15). In which there is great gladness and rejoicing. What is happening here is, in fact, the opposite of the concern of intermarrying among foreign women and the nations. In that, the prohibition of marrying foreign nations was NOT ethnic, or racial but spiritual. Namely, the concern is that the foreign women would lead Israel astray to their god and away from the one true God (1 Kings 3; 1 Kings 11). And yet, here the opposite is happening. This choice bride is being brought to the King. She is forsaking her past and clinging to her Husband and King as she enters his palace.
At this point, some cultural background is helpful. In the ancient world, the first stage of a wedding was the betrothal, which differed significantly from a modern engagement. A betrothal was a formal agreement between two families and was regarded as a binding covenant rather than a tentative promise. Although the marriage was NOT yet officially completed and would NOT be consummated until the wedding day, the betrothal effectively guaranteed the marriage.
On the wedding day itself, the bride and groom prepared separately in their respective homes, surrounded by friends and family. The groom would then lead a joyful procession through the streets to the bride’s house. After receiving his bride, he would escort her—along with her friends and family—back to his home in another celebratory procession. The celebration concluded with a feast that could last for several days. And that’s what you see happening here. The Groom comes and takes his bride, and they enter the King’s Palace!
That she is been redeemed, she has been won. Wed together with her husband!! The King has His bride!! And brought her into His Courts!
And beloved, that we would know that we too have been pursued as His Church. That it was Christ who set his affections on us. Called us to forsake our former lust and come unto Him. And in mercy and grace. He has met us, received us, cleansed us, and redeemed us. He has called us to himself in Christ! And he washes us. He clothes us. Sanctifies us so that we might be pure, spotless, and without blemish!
And the gospel reality is how this KING has brought us into His courts and chambers. How is it this KING has delivered for himself a people? Here in Psalm 45 is this mighty warrior. This valiant KING, of great strength, power, and might. The King of great splendor and glory. Has redeemed us, ransomed us!
He’s Girded His Sword! He Rides Victoriously in truth, and meekness, and righteousness. His arrows are SHARP in the heart of the King’s ENEMIES. Yes, this forever king, who loves righteousness and hates wickedness…THIS KING who is CHRIST. Has redeemed for himself a people, through the means of laying his own life down to save them! That the triumph and victory price to be united to His chosen was through the means of His own blood and giving his life to redeem them!
Here again is the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 5:25-27
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, 26 so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she would be holy and blameless.
That in the gospel, The King has given his own life to redeem a bride for himself. He’s come to her! He’s pursued her, died for her, and now brings her into His kingdom!
It’s what Luke records in the words of the Apostle Paul, instructing the Elders at the church of Ephesus in Acts 20:28
28“Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.
28 “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.
Oh, what GLORIOUS KING! WHAT A BEAUTIFUL SAVIOR HE IS!! And what splendor, he has called us in, through Christ!
And so, then you see in v.16-17.
16 In place of your fathers will be your sons; You shall set them up as princes in all the earth. 17 I will cause Your name to be remembered from generation to every generation; Therefore the peoples will give You thanks forever and ever.
And the continued fruit of their union! They will produce offspring, children who rule throughout the land (v.16). And a great name to be remembered in all generations, forever and ever (v.17).
In its original setting, verse 16 speaks the language of royal succession—the king’s fathers are replaced by sons, heirs who extend the kingdom and carry the reign forward. But this King is no ordinary king. His throne is everlasting, and therefore His offspring cannot be limited to biological descent. In Christ, this promise finds its fuller meaning: the sons are those who belong to Him by faith, united to the King and made heirs of His kingdom. And to be set up as ‘princes in all the earth’ is NOT a promise of earthly domination, but of covenant authority—sharing in the reign of Christ as HIS redeemed people. From this royal union flows a worldwide kingdom, filled with sons and daughters who inherit the promises, reign with their King, and bear His name to the ends of the earth.
Into a kingdom that has no end! In whose rule will never cease! – THAT IS FROM GENERATION to GENERATION.
And how we give thanks to the forever and ever. That is, continue rejoicing! That is eternal splendor and glory!!
Of which I would point us to consider the LAMB of HEAVEN! The KING OF KINGS! THE ALPHA, THE OMEGA! THE REDEEMER AND SAVIOR. Who will one day come and redeem her fully and finally. BRING HER to himself a bride who is clothed and prepared for a coming wedding feast and union with HER SAVIOR AND LORD!
Revelation 19:6-21
Of the marriage of Christ – the Lamb of Heaven. And the BRIDE clothed herself with RIGHTEOUSNESS and preparation for her SAVIOR! CLOTHED IN WHITE – PURE AND HOLY!!...And the ROYAL GROOM – GOING forth in battle in righteousness to redeem her!!
Beloved, if this is true—if Christ is this King, and we are this redeemed bride—then we must live as those who belong to His palace, NOT the world we left behind. We do NOT cling to former loyalties, former sins, or former identities. We forsake them. We are being washed by His Word, clothed in His righteousness, and prepared for a coming wedding day. So let us live with eternity in view—seeking His kingdom, NOT our own; His glory, NOT our comfort; His holiness, NOT our compromise. Let us rejoice as a redeemed bride, give thanks to His name from generation to generation, and walk in joyful obedience as we await the day when the King returns to bring us fully and finally into His glory.
And this will be our joy for all eternity, to sing and celebrate the redemption that Christ has won for us! He has called us and redeemed us to HIMSELF. He defends us. He fights for us! He continues his work of sanctification in us – washing us by His word and the work of His Spirit in us! And desires we be a people of purity, prepared for a full and final consummation and union with our redeemer!
And even now, He is preparing her for a final wedding day when His glory and our joy will be complete. So let us live as those who are loved by such a King—forsaking the past, walking in holiness, and rejoicing with grateful hearts—until the day we see our majestic, glorious KING, our Bridegroom and SAVIOR, face to face.”
Sermon Summary: Christ’s majesty is displayed through His love for His church.
