Psalm 45 – Ode for a Royal Wedding

My heart overflows with a goodly theme;

I address my verses to the king;

My tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe.

You are the most handsome of men;

Grace is poured upon your lips;

Therefore God has blessed you forever. (vs. 1,2).

Some background: God promised King David that his throne would last forever. David became the great king of Israel, and the language around his kingship took on almost mythic proportions, or, one might say, “messianic” proportions. The three great Old Testament figures were (1) prophet, (2) priest, and (3) king. And in each case, the historic prophet, priest or king pointed beyond itself to a Greater One – a Prophet greater than Moses, a Great High Priest, and a King of kings – all fulfilled in Jesus, who was/is Prophet, Priest, and King.

So, this Psalm, which celebrates the royal wedding of David and future kings of Israel/Judah, came to be seen by Christians as a celebration of Jesus and His kingly role, both in the Kingdom or Reign of God and also in His eternal role as everlasting King of kings and Lord of lords as we read in the Book of the Revelation.

Following on this, the Church came to be seen as the “Bride of Christ,” and thus you and I, as a part of the Church are invited into a most beautiful relationship with Jesus, one of gladness, intimacy, and joy.  And the outcome is found in the concluding verse of this Psalm (v.17):  “I will cause your name to be celebrated in all generations; therefore the peoples will praise you forever and ever.”  What do you say – let’s do all we can to cause His name to be “celebrated in all generations.”

The entire 45th Psalm (NRSV):

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

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

Gird your sword on your thigh, O mighty one, in your glory and majesty.

In your majesty ride on victoriously for the cause of truth and to defend the right; let your right hand teach you dread deeds.

Your arrows are sharp in the heart of the king’s enemies; the peoples fall under you.

Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever. Your royal scepter is a scepter of equity;

You love righteousness and hate wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions;

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

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

Hear, O daughter, 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;

the people of Tyre will seek your favor with gifts, the richest of the people with all kinds of wealth.

The princess is decked in her chamber with gold-woven robes;

in many-colored robes she is led to the king; behind her the virgins, her companions, follow.

With joy and gladness they are led along as they enter the palace of the king.

In the place of ancestors you, O king, shall have sons; you will make them princes in all the earth.

I will cause your name to be celebrated in all generations; therefore the peoples will praise you forever and ever.