The song of the bride and the bridegroom

English Standard Version Psalm 45

45 TO THE CHOIRMASTER: ACCORDING TO LILIES. A MASKIL1 OF vTHE SONS OF KORAH; A LOVE SONG.

Psalm 45:1 ESV

My heart overflows with a pleasing theme; I address my verses to the king; my tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe.

Believer’s Bible Commentary Psalm 45: The King of Kings

It was easy for the psalmist to write this Psalm. In fact, his heart was bursting to put in writing the poem he had composed concerning the King. The words flowed freely from his pen; he felt himself being literally borne along. His tongue was like the pen of a ready scribe, and we are not stretching matters if we identify the ready scribe as the Holy Spirit Himself.

2 Peter 1:20 ESV

knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation.

2 Peter 1:21 ESV

For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

2 Peter 1:21 ESV

For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

The matchless beauty of the Lord. thereis none like Him

Psalm 45:2 ESV

You are the most handsome of the sons of men; grace is poured upon your lips; therefore God has blessed you forever.

Believer’s Bible Commentary Psalm 45: The King of Kings

First we are introduced to the King Himself. His beauty is surpassing. He is the chiefest among ten thousand, the altogether lovely One.

John 1:17 ESV

For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

Luke 4:22 ESV

And all spoke well of him and marveled at the gracious words that were coming from his mouth. And they said, “Is not this Joseph’s son?”

The theme suddenly takes a dramatic shift to His second coming.

Psalm 45:3–5 ESV

Gird your sword on your thigh, O mighty one, in your splendor and majesty! In your majesty ride out victoriously for the cause of truth and meekness and righteousness; let your right hand teach you awesome deeds! Your arrows are sharp in the heart of the king’s enemies; the peoples fall under you.

Believer’s Bible Commentary Psalm 45: The King of Kings

Then almost immediately we are carried forward to Christ’s Second Advent, to the time when He returns to earth in power and great glory. This time He comes as a conquering warrior, not as the humble carpenter of Nazareth. With sword upon His thigh, the Mighty One descends in glory and majesty. In dazzling splendor He rides forth in triumph in the cause of truth, humility, and righteousness. His nail-scarred right hand is adept in wielding the sword in frightening power against His foes. His arrows find their mark in the heart of the King’s enemies; the peoples fall in waves before Him.

Revelation 19:11 ESV

Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war.

Revelation 19:12–15 ESV

His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.

Revelation 12:16 ESV

But the earth came to the help of the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed the river that the dragon had poured from his mouth.

The Father speaking to the Son.

Psalm 45:6 ESV

Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. The scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of uprightness;

Hebrews 1:8 ESV

But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.

Psalm 45:7 ESV

you have loved righteousness and hated wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions;

Hebrews 1:9 ESV

You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.”

Believer’s Bible Commentary Psalm 45: The King of Kings

Now the smoke of battle has passed and the King is seated on the throne of His glory in Jerusalem. The voice of God is heard from heaven addressing Him as God and certifying His reign as an eternal one. We know it is the voice of God, because Hebrews 1:8, 9 tells us so:

The fragrance of Christ is the fragrance of life.

Psalm 45:8 ESV

your robes are all fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia. From ivory palaces stringed instruments make you glad;

The bride is described in these next verses.

Who is the Bride?

Revelation 21:1–4 ESV

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

Psalm 45:9 ESV

daughters of kings are among your ladies of honor; at your right hand stands the queen in gold of Ophir.

Psalm 45:10 ESV

Hear, O daughter, and consider, and incline your ear: forget your people and your father’s house,

Hear! Consider! Incline! Forget!

Psalm 45:11–12 ESV

and the king will desire your beauty. Since he is your lord, bow to him. The people of Tyre will seek your favor with gifts, the richest of the people.

Believer’s Bible Commentary Psalm 45: The King of Kings

The queen is counseled by an unidentified voice, perhaps that of the Holy Spirit, to forget her own people and her father’s house. The meaning, of course, is that she should sever the ties which bind her to her pre-conversion life and be totally committed to the King as her Lord. This advice anticipates the words of our Savior in Luke 14:26:

Luke 14:26 ESV

“If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.

Psalm 45:13 KJV 1900

The king’s daughter is all glorious within: Her clothing is of wrought gold.

Psalm 45:14–15 KJV 1900

She shall be brought unto the king in raiment of needlework: The virgins her companions that follow her shall be brought unto thee. With gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought: They shall enter into the king’s palace.

2 Corinthians 11:2 ESV

For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.

Psalm 45:16–17 ESV

In place of your fathers shall be your sons; you will make them princes in all the earth. I will cause your name to be remembered in all generations; therefore nations will praise you forever and ever.