The Divine Wedding

Introduction

Over the years I’ve had the opportunity and privilege to officiate a lot of weddings and also, a lot of funerals.

Now, it’s an honor to be a part of either. It really is. They’re both significant days in the lives of the families. However, between the two, I do prefer one over the other.

Now, I’m not trying to make light of this at all. But I think we can all agree here that if given the choice between attending the wedding of good friends or a funeral, we’d all choose to participate in the wedding.

Now, why is that?

Well, it’s because a funeral is a day filled with sadness and loss. It’s painful and heavy. It seems final.

Whereas a wedding is a day filled with joy and celebration. There’s not that same heaviness that a funeral brings about. Now, I haven’t had to walk my daughter down an aisle and give her to another man yet, so, this might change for me.

But, within the best of circumstances, where there’s love and joy on both sides of the aisle, a wedding is a day to rejoice, laugh, celebrate, and even join in with the hope of this new couple coming together and starting their new life together.

In some regard, a wedding is almost an escape from the heaviness and brokenness of the world around us.

For those few short hours where we gather together we forget what’s waiting for us when we leave the reception. The hardness and brokenness of life.

Whereas, a funeral reminds us of the brevity and hardships that we face on a daily basis.

Now, in both we find hope in Christ, but a wedding draws our attention and our gaze to what our hearts truly long for. What do our hearts long for? How’s every fairy tale end? “Happily ever after.” A perfect, complete, and unconditional love. Unending celebration. A life freed from oppression and hardship and suffering. Good food, good friends, lots of laughter and joy. Eternal security and hope for a bright future where every day is better than the one before.

And so, the pressing question on our hearts is, will this ever happen? Will we actually live happily ever after?

This Psalm, answers that question for us with a resounding, YES!

Problem

But we arrive at this happily ever after, as we’ll see in this psalm through forsaking all others, forsaking earthly treasures, forsaking anything and everything that would deter us from glad submission to our great King of kings, the Bridegroom of the Church. And this is hard for us because we love the things of this world.

But, just as a bride and groom make vows to one another on their wedding day that they are “forsaking all others and clinging to one another” so must we, as the church, or the Bride of Christ forsake all others and cling tightly by faith to the Groom, who is Jesus.

It’s only through faith in Jesus that we experience this happily ever after.

Context

So, let’s dig into this psalm, let’s understand this psalm so that we might better understand the hope to which we cling to in Christ, the great King, and Bridegroom of the Church.

This psalm is both a royal psalm and a messianic psalm.

It’s a royal psalm in that it is a beautiful poem prepared for the occasion of a royal wedding. Now, we don’t know for sure which King of Israel this psalm was written for, but more than likely it was written of King Solomon’s wedding to the daughter of Pharoah. Now, remember this because this will help us better understand the psalmists words to the bride in verses 10-11.

But, this psalm is also a messianic psalm in that the words used are so extravagant and so exaggerated that it must point beyond any earthly king to the future Messiah, the great King of kings which had been promised to Israel. The great eternal King who would come from the line of David.

David’s reign as king, Solomon’s reign as king, all earthly kings of Israel were but a foreshadowing of the One who would come to reign and rule forever with justice, truth, and righteousness.

It was Alexander Maclaren, the great Scottish minister of the late 1800’s, who said of this psalm,

“Either we have here a piece of poetical exaggeration far beyond the limits of poetic license, or ‘a greater than Solomon is here.’”

And that’s what we have here.

Big Idea

Psalm 45 is a unique psalm that breathes life, hope, and joy into God’s children as ones who will one day be united and joined together with the Great Eternal King, the Bridegroom who will love, cherish, and protect His Bride where they will live happily ever after.

Main Aim

This is a psalm calling on its readers to look to the Bridegroom.

Notice the placement of this psalm and what it has come after. The last three psalms we’ve walked through have been incredibly heavy. Psalm 42 & 43 wrestled with spiritual depression. Psalm 44 asks the question, “has God abandoned us, rejected us? These are heavy and weighty psalms and so Psalm 45 is placed here purposefully to remind Israel, and us today who now read these words to remember that God has not forsaken, rejected us, abandoned us but is coming for us like a groom pursues his bride.

Body

We see in verse 1 the extravagant language used which reveal that these words are not addressed only for a royal wedding but a divine wedding.

The psalmist writes,

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.

The poet’s heart here is simmering, stirring, boiling over with emotion and excitement as he thinks upon this royal wedding and ultimately as he writes under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, his heart is drawn to the divine wedding between the eternal King of kings, the one promised from David’s line and the highly favored bride.

James Montgomery Boice says it this way regarding the poets stirred emotions,

“This is not only a noble theme; it is the theme of themes. It is the ultimate meaning of all history, the story of the ages.” - James Montgomery Boice

This “story of the ages” is the story of redemption. The story of God redeeming his people through the atoning work of Christ. This is the story of Scripture and all of Scripture points to this one amazing reality, that God is reconciling and redeeming a broken, sinful people back to himself. That all that is wrong and broken in the world will come undone and a new heaven and a new earth will be established and God’s people will dwell forever with him in perfect peace, joy, and harmony.

This psalmist, this poet is writing of this as he looks upon this royal wedding and thinking upon the future promises of God and so his heart is stirred. It overflows with praise.

Ultimately in praise of King Jesus who was still yet to come.

Now, at any wedding our eyes are fixed upon the groom and the bride. We watch them, we gaze upon them, we celebrate with them. And that’s what the rest of this psalm does. It gives us a picture of the groom and a picture of the bride. It invites us into their wedding day. So, let’s gaze upon the groom and upon the bride and see Jesus’ love for the church, his bride.

Verses 2-9 give us,

A picture of the groom

So, what do we see regarding this king, this groom? Well, in verse 2 we see that,

The King is set apart.

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.

Now, we recognize this reality within royalty. The British monarchy is very clearly set apart from the rest of the common people within England. Now, they seek to engage with everyday people but their lives are nothing like how the rest of their citizens live in England. Not even close. They are set apart.

Queen Elizabeth just celebrated her platinum jubilee. 70 years on the throne and the whole country paused for days to recognize and celebrate her reign. That is set apart.

You see, the king here in Psalm 45 is set apart.

But remember that psalm 45 rolls beyond any mere earthly king. Solomon was set apart as king, but he was still flawed. Only Jesus can truly fit the title perfectly, “the most handsome, or most excellent of the sons of men.”

Grace, surely was poured upon the lips of Solomon. He spoke wisely and courageously as king of Israel, but only Jesus spoke in perfect wisdom. Only Jesus could speak and demons trembled. Only Jesus’ words could cause storms to subside. Only Jesus’ words could heal sickness and disease. Only Jesus’ words could bring eternal life.

When Jesus spoke and the masses of followers began to desert him because they didn’t want to give up their lives, Jesus challenged the twelve disciples asking if they were going to leave as well. Peter replied,

John 6:68 (ESV)

“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.

Friends, let me ask you. Who are you turning to to find eternal life? In whose words are you trusting? There’s only one who is truly set apart from the rest who can offer eternal life. There’s only one whose words will bring healing and forgiveness of sins. It’s the great King, the great bridegroom for whom are hearts and souls were made for. It’s Jesus.

John 5:24 (ESV)

Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

Do you believe? Repent. Turn from your sin and trust in the one who can save.

What else do we see about this King?

The King is mighty.

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.

Both king David and his son, Solomon were mighty. David was mighty in battle. Fearless, courageous. Solomon reigned and ruled over a great empire and became wealthier than anyone who had ever lived. You’d look at both of them and say that they were mighty and in many regards they were. Yet, they were still flawed. David didn’t win every battle. David was often pursued by his enemies, even enemies who were at one point close friends.

Solomon got lost in his riches and drifted from the sufficiency of God. Their might faded with age and even with everything they had, they still died and had to leave everything they had accumulated on earth behind.

And so, this picture of might is only seen perfectly in the Messiah who would come.

It was Jesus who didn’t wage military conquests but waged war against Satan, sin, and death. He fought the battle for our souls and won victoriously over sin and death.

Though nails were driven into his hands and feet on the cross, in the end, it was Jesus’ resurrection that was the arrow that sunk deep within the heart of death. And as he walked out of that tomb he fulfilled the promise of Genesis 3 and crushed the head of the great enemy of God and mankind, Satan.

And there’s coming a day when Jesus, our bridegroom will return. He’s returning for his Bride, the church. And when he does, he’s coming in victory. No enemy will be able to stand against him. In fact, his enemies will be crushed through the word of his mouth.

See the similarity of the King in Psalm 45 and Jesus in Revelation 19 when he returns for his church.

Revelation 19:11–16 (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. 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. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.

This is Jesus. This is our Mighty King of kings. This is our bridegroom coming for his bride. He is returning. Take heart. Be of good courage. Let not your heart be troubled in the day of suffering. This world is broken, flawed, and deeply disturbed. But Jesus is coming again and it will be restored. Look to him.

Why? Because we also see in this psalm,

The King reigns.

Verse 6.

Psalm 45:6 (ESV)

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

This verse is so clearly pointing beyond itself to Christ that the author of Hebrews references this statement when speaking of the glorious Christ in Hebrews 1.

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.

We see here in Jesus the fulfillment of the promise made to David in 2 Samuel 7.

2 Samuel 7:16 (ESV)

And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.’ ”

From the line of David was coming a King who would reign forever. David was not that man. He was not the eternal king. Solomon was not that man, the many kings who would come after Solomon were not the eternal king. But the promise was made and so Israel waited and longed for this expectant eternal King.

So, when this psalmist wrote he was writing under the inspiration of the Spirit, holding fast to the promise made that from David’s line would come one day a King who would reign in righteousness forever.

This is why this psalm is messianic. It points beyond itself. There’s no way this verse would refer to Solomon only.

And thank God that our ultimate hope is not placed in any mere mortal.

Kings come and go. Presidents, governors, mayors, pastors, any in any form of leadership come and go. Some do good, some, not so much. Some seek to do right, others seek to control, dominate, and abuse.

We live in a day and age where there little to no trust of anyone in any type of leadership. Anyone who is given any sense of authority is automatically met with skepticism and just waiting for them to fall or abuse their power. And some of this skepticism is well-earned.

Solomon here was a wise king. David, before him, led well. But, they were still only mere mortals. They made mistakes. They were sinners. Most who would come after them who sat on the throne led poorly.

Yet, this psalm calls us to look to a King who reigns perfectly. Verse 6 mentions that “the scepter of your kingdom is one of uprightness.”

Verse 7 reads,

Psalm 45:7 (ESV)

you have loved righteousness and hated wickedness.

Jesus is the King we need and long for. He’s a King who will always do what is right. For us, it’s hard to ever fully trust anyone. We’ve been hurt one too many times. We’ve been betrayed, we’ve been let down. But Jesus is the King who will never harm you, never hurt you, never abandon you. He will always do what is right for you.

This is the hope we rest in. The hope in which we long for and look to at his glorious return.

This is a picture of the groom, the King of kings and he’s coming for his bride. So, let’s turn our gaze now to the beauty of the Bride.

We see next,

A picture of the bride.

The first thing we see is that,

The bride is exalted.

Verse 9,

Psalm 45:9 (ESV)

At your right hand stands the queen in gold of Ophir.

Verse 13,

Psalm 45:13 (ESV)

All glorious is the princess in her chamber, with robes interwoven with gold.

Ophir was a biblical place known for its gold and precious metals. And so, this bride, now standing alongside of the king of Israel is decked out in the finest of jewelry. She is glorious, she is greatly exalted as the bride.

This gold is representing her value and worth as one sought out by the king.

What a picture this is to you and I of our status before Jesus.

I’ll be honest with you. I don’t view myself as one deserving or worthy of any exaltation. I have nothing of value that I bring to the table. And yet, in Christ, and because of Christ we are exalted as the bride, the church and now carry great value and worth.

This is the picture we see of the church in Revelation 22 when on that day of the divine wedding where we are forever joined with Christ we see the church in her beauty.

Revelation 21:9–11 (ESV)

Then came one of the seven angels...saying, “Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb.” And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal.

Notice though, that our glory does not come from within ourselves, but from God. We radiate the glory of God. The glory of his work of redemption through the Son in us.

So, we’re right in saying that we bring nothing of value to the table. Everything comes from God. It’s his glory that is showered down upon us. It’s his beauty that makes us beautiful.

We’re exalted because Christ is exalted.

We also see,

The bride is accepted.

Verse 10-11.

Psalm 45:10–11 (ESV)

Hear, O daughter, and consider, and incline your ear: forget your people and your father’s house, and the king will desire your beauty. Since he is your lord, bow to him.

Verse 14.

Psalm 45:14 (ESV)

In many-colored robes she is led to the king.

Just as the queen here was accepted by the king, so are we, the bride of Christ accepted through faith in the finished work of Jesus on the cross.

Our acceptance is not based upon any work of our own. We cannot beautify ourselves enough so as to be desirable. It’s Christ who makes us beautiful. It’s through Christ that we find our acceptance. Just as the queen was clothed in the finest linens, we are clothed in the righteousness of Christ.

In Ephesians 5 the apostle Paul is speaking to husbands and wives and teaching them how marriage is ultimately a reflection of the relationship between Christ and His bride, the church. And so, he gives these instructions to husbands on how they are to love and care for their wives and he shows us that this is exactly what Christ has done for us.

Ephesians 5:25–27 (ESV)

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.

You see, our beauty comes from Jesus who has saved us, given us a new heart, who has cleansed us and forgiven us so that we might be able to stand before him in splendor, without blemish.

Do we hear the freedom in those words? Your salvation, your acceptance by God is not based upon any work of yours, but the finished work of Christ. You are accepted and beautiful because Jesus has made you so through faith in him.

And it is through faith in Christ alone.

You hear it even in the words to the queen in verse 10. “Forget your people and your father’s house.”

This was most likely addressed to the daughter of Pharoah. Egypt was wealthy as well. There were many things in her homeland that were appealing, but the charge to the queen is to let go of the past and find a greater joy and acceptance in the king.

We are called to forget the past. We are called to let go of the things of this world and hold fast to Jesus alone. Jesus said it himself.

Luke 9:23 (ESV)

“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

Or even stronger words by Jesus.

Luke 14:25–27 (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. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.

What he’s saying is that all earthly relationships compared to our love for Jesus must look like hate because of our passionate zeal for Christ.

Walter Chantry makes this application though:

“It is painful to leave behind mother and father, son and daughter. We are attached to the beauties and friendships of this world. “Forget” them all! The King will more than make up for all. Some day you will look back upon the parting with temporal things and think your hesitation silly and ill-founded. When you sit in the ivory palace, arrayed in the gold of Ophir, at the right hand of the eternal King, you will wonder what you saw in those former things. You will never regret it.… Carry through with your discerning choice.… The King must be your one and only love henceforth.”

Is the King your one and only greatest love?

Lastly, we see that,

The Bride is sought after.

Verse 12

Psalm 45:12 (ESV)

The people of Tyre will seek your favor with gifts, the richest of the people.

The queen, through her relationship with the king was sought after by all. Many would now travel great distances to be near her, to hear from her, to be blessed by her.

The church, the bride of Christ, should be having a cultural influence in the world today. Now, we’re not looking for acceptance from the world, but as Charles Spurgeon once said,

“A holy church will be a powerful church.”

Meaning, if we are submitting to the reign and rule of Christ. If we are truly living in peace with one another. If we are truly living counter-culturally and finding deep, meaningful, lasting, eternal joy in Jesus above all others, that will have an impact in the world and it will cause others to pause and ask for the hope that is within us.

When we suffer, but suffer with hope. When we endure hardship and trial with joy. When we show the world that everything can be taken from us but if we have Christ then that’s enough, then the church will begin to have influence in the world because the world is desperate for hope, desperate for lasting joy, desperate for meaning that goes beyond the temporary.

Conclusion

This psalm concludes with a benediction of sorts.

Verse 16.

Psalm 45:16 (ESV)

In place of your fathers shall be your sons; you will make them princes in all the earth.

The attention is turned back to the king here. The psalmist is closing with a blessing on the marriage and speaking of the fruitfulness that will come from this union.

As we roll beyond this to the picture of the union Christ has with the church our thoughts are turned to the many that Christ will call to himself through the witness and testimony of the church. Through the faithful proclamation of the gospel that Jesus saves.

And as he closes this song in verse 17,

Psalm 45:17 (ESV)

I will cause your name to be remembered in all generations; therefore nations will praise you forever and ever.

We must ask ourselves, are we doing what the psalmist did? Are we praising our great King who has purchased us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of light?

Are we delighting in and working to see people from every nation, every tribe, every language come to praise him as well? To become worshippers of King Jesus?

Are we waiting, longing, and yearning for his return?

Did you sense the yearning and longing for the wedding day in this psalm?

I’ve heard it said before that Jesus’ first coming into this world was to initiate his betrothal to his bride. The engagement. And now, we eagerly await the wedding day, this divine wedding when Christ will return for his bride and we will forever be joined to him.

Are you living with that anticipation?

What are brides doing leading up to their wedding day? They’re getting ready. They’re planning, they’re preparing, they’re anticipating.

Are we ready and preparing?

Revelation 1:7 says,

Revelation 1:7 (ESV)

Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him.

Then, at the very end of the book, what’s the bride’s response?

Revelation 22:20 (ESV)

He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

Are you looking for that return?