1 My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer.
2 Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.
3 Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty.
4 And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things.
5 Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the king's enemies; whereby the people fall under thee.
6 Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.
7 Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
8 All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad.
9 Kings' daughters were among thy honourable women: upon thy right hand did stand the queen in gold of Ophir.
10 Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy father's house;
11 So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for he is thy Lord; and worship thou him.
12 And the daughter of Tyre shall be there with a gift; even the rich among the people shall intreat thy favour.
13 The king's daughter is all glorious within: her clothing is of wrought gold.
14 She shall be brought unto the king in raiment of needlework: the virgins her companions that follow her shall be brought unto thee.
15 With gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought: they shall enter into the king's palace.
16 Instead of thy fathers shall be thy children, whom thou mayest make princes in all the earth.
17 I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations: therefore shall the people praise thee for ever and ever.
1 [[To the chief Musician H5329 upon Shoshannim, H7799 for the sons H1121 of Korah, H7141 Maschil, H4905 A Song H7892 of loves.]] H3039 My heart H3820 is inditing H7370 a good H2896 matter: H1697 I speak H559 of the things which I have made H4639 touching the king: H4428 my tongue H3956 is the pen H5842 of a ready H4106 writer. H5608
2 Thou art fairer H3302 than the children H1121 of men: H120 grace H2580 is poured H3332 into thy lips: H8193 therefore God H430 hath blessed H1288 thee for ever. H5769
3 Gird H2296 thy sword H2719 upon thy thigh, H3409 O most mighty, H1368 with thy glory H1935 and thy majesty. H1926
4 And in thy majesty H1926 ride H7392 prosperously H6743 because H1697 of truth H571 and meekness H6037 and righteousness; H6664 and thy right hand H3225 shall teach H3384 thee terrible things. H3372
5 Thine arrows H2671 are sharp H8150 in the heart H3820 of the king's H4428 enemies; H341 whereby the people H5971 fall H5307 under thee.
6 Thy throne, H3678 O God, H430 is for ever H5769 and ever: H5703 the sceptre H7626 of thy kingdom H4438 is a right H4334 sceptre. H7626
7 Thou lovest H157 righteousness, H6664 and hatest H8130 wickedness: H7562 therefore God, H430 thy God, H430 hath anointed H4886 thee with the oil H8081 of gladness H8342 above thy fellows. H2270
8 All thy garments H899 smell of myrrh, H4753 and aloes, H174 and cassia, H7102 out of the ivory H8127 palaces, H1964 whereby H4482 they have made thee glad. H8055
9 Kings' H4428 daughters H1323 were among thy honourable women: H3368 upon thy right hand H3225 did stand H5324 the queen H7694 in gold H3800 of Ophir. H211
10 Hearken, H8085 O daughter, H1323 and consider, H7200 and incline H5186 thine ear; H241 forget H7911 also thine own people, H5971 and thy father's H1 house; H1004
11 So shall the king H4428 greatly desire H183 thy beauty: H3308 for he is thy Lord; H113 and worship H7812 thou him.
12 And the daughter H1323 of Tyre H6865 shall be there with a gift; H4503 even the rich H6223 among the people H5971 shall intreat H2470 thy favour. H6440
13 The king's H4428 daughter H1323 is all glorious H3520 within: H6441 her clothing H3830 is of wrought H4865 gold. H2091
14 She shall be brought H2986 unto the king H4428 in raiment of needlework: H7553 the virgins H1330 her companions H7464 that follow H310 her shall be brought H935 unto thee.
15 With gladness H8057 and rejoicing H1524 shall they be brought: H2986 they shall enter H935 into the king's H4428 palace. H1964
16 Instead of thy fathers H1 shall be thy children, H1121 whom thou mayest make H7896 princes H8269 in all the earth. H776
17 I will make thy name H8034 to be remembered H2142 in all H1755 generations: H1755 therefore shall the people H5971 praise H3034 thee for ever H5769 and ever. H5703
1 My heart overfloweth with a goodly matter; I speak the things which I have made touching the king: My tongue is the pen of a ready writer.
2 Thou art fairer than the children of men; Grace is poured into thy lips: Therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.
3 Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O mighty one, Thy glory and thy majesty.
4 And in thy majesty ride on prosperously, Because of truth and meekness `and' righteousness: And thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things.
5 Thine arrows are sharp; The peoples fall under thee; `They are' in the heart of the king's enemies.
6 Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: A sceptre of equity is the sceptre of thy kingdom.
7 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated wickedness: Therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee With the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
8 All thy garments `smell of' myrrh, and aloes, `and' cassia; Out of ivory palaces stringed instruments have made thee glad.
9 Kings' daughters are among thy honorable women: At thy right hand doth stand the queen in gold of Ophir.
10 Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; Forget also thine own people, and thy father's house:
11 So will the king desire thy beauty; For he is thy lord; and reverence thou him.
12 And the daughter of Tyre `shall be there' with a gift; The rich among the people shall entreat thy favor.
13 The king's daughter within `the palace' is all glorious: Her clothing is inwrought with gold.
14 She shall be led unto the king in broidered work: The virgins her companions that follow her Shall be brought unto thee.
15 With gladness and rejoicing shall they be led: They shall enter into the king's palace.
16 Instead of thy fathers shall be thy children, Whom thou shalt make princes in all the earth.
17 I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations: Therefore shall the peoples give thee thanks for ever and ever. Psalm 46 For the Chief Musician. `A Psalm' of the sons of Korah; set to Alamoth. A Song.
1 To the Overseer. -- `On the Lilies.' -- By sons of Korah. -- An Instruction. -- A song of loves. My heart hath indited a good thing, I am telling my works to a king, My tongue `is' the pen of a speedy writer.
2 Thou hast been beautified above the sons of men, Grace hath been poured into thy lips, Therefore hath God blessed thee to the age.
3 Gird Thy sword upon the thigh, O mighty, Thy glory and Thy majesty!
4 As to Thy majesty -- prosper! -- ride! Because of truth, and meekness -- righteousness, And Thy right hand showeth Thee fearful things.
5 Thine arrows `are' sharp, -- Peoples fall under Thee -- In the heart of the enemies of the king.
6 Thy throne, O God, `is' age-during, and for ever, A sceptre of uprightness `Is' the sceptre of Thy kingdom.
7 Thou hast loved righteousness and hatest wickedness, Therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee, Oil of joy above thy companions.
8 Myrrh and aloes, cassia! all thy garments, Out of palaces of ivory Stringed instruments have made thee glad.
9 Daughters of kings `are' among thy precious ones, A queen hath stood at thy right hand, In pure gold of Ophir.
10 Hearken, O daughter, and see, incline thine ear, And forget thy people, and thy father's house,
11 And the king doth desire thy beauty, Because he `is' thy lord -- bow thyself to him,
12 And the daughter of Tyre with a present, The rich of the people do appease thy face.
13 All glory `is' the daughter of the king within, Of gold-embroidered work `is' her clothing.
14 In divers colours she is brought to the king, Virgins -- after her -- her companions, Are brought to thee.
15 They are brought with joy and gladness, They come into the palace of the king.
16 Instead of thy fathers are thy sons, Thou dost appoint them for princes in all the earth.
17 I make mention of Thy name in all generations, Therefore do peoples praise Thee, To the age, and for ever!
1 {To the chief Musician. Upon Shoshannim. Of the sons of Korah. An instruction; -- a song of the Beloved.} My heart is welling forth [with] a good matter: I say what I have composed touching the king. My tongue is the pen of a ready writer.
2 Thou art fairer than the sons of men; grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.
3 Gird thy sword upon [thy] thigh, O mighty one, [in] thy majesty and thy splendour;
4 And [in] thy splendour ride prosperously, because of truth and meekness [and] righteousness: and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things.
5 Thine arrows are sharp -- peoples fall under thee -- in the heart of the king's enemies.
6 Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever; a sceptre of uprightness is the sceptre of thy kingdom:
7 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated wickedness; therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy companions.
8 Myrrh and aloes, cassia, are all thy garments; out of ivory palaces stringed instruments have made thee glad.
9 Kings' daughters are among thine honourable women; upon thy right hand doth stand the queen in gold of Ophir.
10 Hearken, daughter, and see, and incline thine ear; and forget thine own people and thy father's house:
11 And the king will desire thy beauty; for he is thy Lord, and worship thou him.
12 And the daughter of Tyre with a gift, the rich ones among the people, shall court thy favour.
13 All glorious is the king's daughter within; her clothing is of wrought gold:
14 She shall be brought unto the king in raiment of embroidery; the virgins behind her, her companions, shall be brought in unto thee:
15 With joy and gladness shall they be brought; they shall enter into the king's palace.
16 Instead of thy fathers shall be thy sons; princes shalt thou make them in all the earth.
17 I will make thy name to be remembered throughout all generations; therefore shall the peoples praise thee for ever and ever.
1 > My heart overflows with a noble theme. I recite my verses for the king. My tongue is like the pen of a skillful writer.
2 You are the most excellent of the sons of men. Grace has anointed your lips, Therefore God has blessed you forever.
3 Gird your sword on your thigh, mighty one: Your splendor and your majesty.
4 In your majesty ride on victoriously on behalf of truth, humility, and righteousness. Let your right hand display awesome deeds.
5 Your arrows are sharp. The nations fall under you, with arrows in the heart of the king's enemies.
6 Your throne, God, is forever and ever. A scepter of equity 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 gladness above your fellows.
8 All your garments smell like myrrh, aloes, and cassia. Out of ivory palaces stringed instruments have made you glad.
9 Kings' daughters are among your honorable women. At your right hand the queen stands in gold of Ophir.
10 Listen, daughter, consider, and turn your ear. Forget your own people, and also your father's house.
11 So the king will desire your beauty, Honor him, for he is your lord.
12 The daughter of Tyre comes with a gift. The rich among the people entreat your favor.
13 The princess inside is all glorious. Her clothing is interwoven with gold.
14 She shall be led to the king in embroidered work. The virgins, her companions who follow her, shall be brought to you.
15 With gladness and rejoicing they shall be led. They shall enter into the king's palace.
16 Your sons will take the place of your fathers. You shall make them princes in all the earth.
17 I will make your name to be remembered in all generations. Therefore the peoples shall give you thanks forever and ever. {}
1 <To the chief music-maker; put to Shoshannim. Of the sons of Korah. Maschil. A Song of loves.> My heart is flowing over with good things; my words are of that which I have made for a king; my tongue is the pen of a ready writer.
2 You are fairer than the children of men; grace is flowing through your lips; for this cause the blessing of God is with you for ever.
3 Put on your sword, make it ready at your side, O strong chief, with your glory and power.
4 And go nobly on in your power, because you are good and true and without pride; and your right hand will be teaching you things of fear.
5 Your arrows are sharp in the heart of the king's haters; because of them the peoples are falling under you.
6 Your seat of power, O God, is for ever and ever; the rod of your kingdom is a rod of honour.
7 You have been a lover of righteousness and a hater of evil: and so God, your God, has put the oil of joy on your head, lifting you high over all other kings.
8 Your robes are full of the smell of all sorts of perfumes and spices; music from the king's ivory houses has made you glad.
9 Kings' daughters are among your noble women: on your right is the queen in gold of Ophir.
10 O daughter, give thought and attention, and let your ear be open; no longer keep in mind your people, and your father's house;
11 So will the king have a great desire for you, seeing how beautiful you are; because he is your lord, give him honour.
12 And the daughters of Tyre will be there with an offering; those who have wealth among the people will be looking for your approval.
13 In the great house the king's daughter is all shining: her clothing is worked with gold.
14 She will come before the king in robes of needlework; the virgins in her train will come before you.
15 With joy and rapture will they come; they will go into the king's house.
16 Your children will take the place of your fathers; so that you may make them rulers over all the earth.
17 I will keep the memory of your name living through all generations; and because of this the people will give you praise for ever.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Psalms 45
Commentary on Psalms 45 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
PSALM 45
Ps 45:1-17. Shoshannim—literally, "Lilies," either descriptive of an instrument so shaped, or denoting some tune or air so called, after which the Psalm was to be sung (see on Ps 8:1, title). A song of loves, or, of beloved ones (plural and feminine)—a conjugal song. Maschil—(See on Ps 32:1, title, and Ps 42:1, title) denotes the didactic character of the Psalm; that it gives instruction, the song being of allegorical, and not literal, import. The union and glories of Christ and his Church are described. He is addressed as a king possessed of all essential graces, as a conqueror exalted on the throne of a righteous and eternal government, and as a bridegroom arrayed in nuptial splendor. The Church is portrayed in the purity and loveliness of a royally adorned and attended bride, invited to forsake her home and share the honors of her affianced lord. The picture of an Oriental wedding thus opened is filled up by representing the complimentary gifts of the wealthy with which the occasion is honored, the procession of the bride clothed in splendid raiment, attended by her virgin companions, and the entrance of the joyous throng into the palace of the king. A prediction of a numerous and distinguished progeny, instead of the complimentary wish for it usually expressed (compare Ge 24:60; Ru 4:11, 12), and an assurance of a perpetual fame, closes the Psalm. All ancient Jewish and Christian interpreters regarded this Psalm as an allegory of the purport above named. In the Song of Songs the allegory is carried out more fully. Hosea (Ho 1:1-3:5) treats the relation of God and His people under the same figure, and its use to set forth the relation of Christ and His Church runs through both parts of the Bible (compare Isa 54:5; 62:4, 5; Mt 22:3; 25:1; Joh 3:29; Eph 5:25-32, &c.). Other methods of exposition have been suggested. Several Jewish monarchs, from Solomon to the wicked Ahab, and various foreign princes, have been named as the hero of the song. But to none of them can the terms here used be shown to apply, and it is hardly probable that any mere nuptial song, especially of a heathen king, would be permitted a place in the sacred songs of the Jews. The advocates for any other than the Messianic interpretation have generally silenced each other in succession, while the application of the most rigorous rules of a fair system of interpretation has but strengthened the evidences in its favor. The scope of the Psalm above given is easy and sustained by the explication of its details. The quotation of Ps 45:6, 7 by Paul (Heb 1:8, 9), as applicable to Christ, ought to be conclusive, and their special exposition shows the propriety of such an application.
1. An animated preface indicative of strong emotion. Literally, "My heart overflows: a good matter I speak; the things which I have made," &c.
inditing—literally, "boiling up," as a fountain overflows.
my tongue is the pen—a mere instrument of God's use.
of a ready writer—that is, it is fluent. The theme is inspiring and language flows fast.
2. To rich personal attractions is added grace of the lips, captivating powers of speech. This is given, and becomes a source of power and proves a blessing. Christ is a prophet (Lu 4:22).
3, 4. The king is addressed as ready to go forth to battle.
sword—(Compare Re 1:16; 19:15).
mighty—(Compare Isa 9:6).
glory and … majesty—generally used as divine attributes (Ps 96:6; 104:1; 111:3), or as specially conferred on mortals (Ps 21:5), perhaps these typically.
4. ride prosperously—or conduct a successful war.
because of—for the interests of truth, &c.
meekness … righteousness—without any connection—that is, a righteousness or equity of government, distinguished by meekness or condescension (Ps 18:35).
right hand—or power, as its organ.
shall teach thee—point the way to terrible things; that is, in conquest of enemies.
5. The result.
people—Whole nations are subdued.
6. No lawful construction can be devised to change the sense here given and sustained by the ancient versions, and above all by Paul (Heb 1:8). Of the perpetuity of this government, compare 2Sa 7:13; Ps 10:16; 72:5; 89:4; 110:4; Isa 9:7.
7. As in Ps 45:6 the divine nature is made prominent, here the moral qualities of the human are alleged as the reason or ground of the mediatorial exultation. Some render "O God, thy God," instead of
God, thy God—but the latter is sustained by the same form (Ps 50:7), and it was only of His human nature that the anointing could be predicated (compare Isa 61:3).
oil of gladness—or token of gladness, as used in feasts and other times of solemn joy (compare 1Ki 1:39, 40).
fellows—other kings.
8. The king thus inaugurated is now presented as a bridegroom, who appears in garments richly perfumed, brought out from
ivory palaces—His royal residence; by which, as indications of the happy bridal occasion, He has been gladdened.
9. In completion of this picture of a marriage festival, female attendants or bridesmaids of the highest rank attend Him, while the queen, in rich apparel (Ps 45:13), stands ready for the nuptial procession.
10, 11. She is invited to the union, for forming which she must leave her father's people. She representing, by the form of the allegory, the Church, this address is illustrated by all those scriptures, from Ge 12:1 on, which speak of the people of God as a chosen, separate, and peculiar people. The relation of subjection to her spouse at once accords with the law of marriage, as given in Ge 3:16; 18:12; Eph 5:22; 1Pe 3:5, 6, and the relation of the Church to Christ (Eph 5:24). The love of the husband is intimately connected with the entire devotion to which the bride is exhorted.
12. daughter of Tyre—(Ps 9:14); denotes the people. Tyre, celebrated for its great wealth, is selected to represent the richest nations, an idea confirmed by the next clause. These gifts are brought as means to conciliate the royal parties, representing the admitted subjection of the offerers. This well sets forth the exalted position of the Church and her head, whose moral qualities receive the homage of the world. The contribution of material wealth to sustain the institutions of the Church may be included (compare "riches of the Gentiles," Ps 72:10; Isa 60:5-10).
13. the king's daughter—a term of dignity. It may also intimate, with some allusion to the teaching of the allegory, that the bride of Christ, the Church, is the daughter of the great king, God.
within—Not only is her outward raiment costly, but all her apparel is of the richest texture.
wrought gold—gold embroidery, or cloth in which gold is woven.
14, 15. The progress of the procession is described; according to the usual custom the bride and attendants are conducted to the palace. Some for the words—
in raiment of needlework—propose another rendering, "on variegated (or embroidered) cloths"—that is, in the manner of the East, richly wrought tapestry was spread on the ground, on which the bride walked. As the dress had been already mentioned, this seems to be a probable translation.
15. shall they be brought—in solemn form (compare Job 10:19; 21:22). The entrance into the palace with great joy closes the scene. So shall the Church be finally brought to her Lord, and united amid the festivities of the holy beings in heaven.
16. As earthly monarchs govern widely extended empires by viceroys, this glorious king is represented as supplying all the principalities of earth with princes of his own numerous progeny.
17. The glories of this empire shall be as wide as the world and lasting as eternity.
therefore—Because thus glorious, the praise shall be universal and perpetual. Some writers have taxed their ingenuity to find in the history and fortunes of Christ and His Church exact parallels for every part of this splendid allegory, not excepting its gorgeous Oriental imagery. Thus, by the dresses of the king and queen, are thought to be meant the eminent endowments and graces of Christ and His people. The attendant women, supposed (though inconsistently it might seem with the inspired character of the work) to be concubines, are thought to represent the Gentile churches, and the bride the Jewish, &c. But it is evident that we cannot pursue such a mode of interpretation. For, following the allegory, we must suspend to the distant future the results of a union whose consummation as a marriage is still distant (compare Re 21:9). In fact, the imagery here and elsewhere sets before us the Church in two aspects. As a body, it is yet incomplete, the whole is yet ungathered. As a moral institution, it is yet imperfect. In the final catastrophe it will be complete and perfect. Thus, as a bride adorned, &c., it will be united with its Lord. Thus the union of Christ and the Church triumphant is set forth. On the other hand, in regard to its component parts, the relation of Christ as head, as husband, &c., already exists, and as these parts form an institution in this world, it is by His union with it, and the gifts and graces with which He endows it, that a spiritual seed arises and spreads in the world. Hence we must fix our minds only on the one simple but grand truth, that Christ loves the Church, is head over all things for it, raises it in His exaltation to the highest moral dignity—a dignity of which every, even the meanest, sincere disciple will partake. As to the time, then, in which this allegorical prophecy is to fulfilled, it may be said that no periods of time are specially designated. The characteristics of the relation of Christ and His Church are indicated, and we may suppose that the whole process of His exaltation from the declaration of His Sonship, by His resurrection, to the grand catastrophe of the final judgment, with all the collateral blessings to the Church and the world, lay before the vision of the inspired prophet.