Nov 3, 2019
Psalm 45:1-17
My heart overflows with a pleasing theme; I address my verses to
the king; my tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe. 2
You are the most handsome of 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
majesty! 4 In your majesty ride out victoriously for the
cause of truth and meekness and righteousness; let your right hand
teach you awesome deeds! 5 Your arrows are sharp in the
heart of the king's enemies; the peoples fall under you.
6 Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. The scepter
of your kingdom is a scepter of uprightness; 7 you have
loved righteousness and hated wickedness. Therefore God, your God,
has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions;
8 your robes are all fragrant with myrrh and aloes and
cassia. From ivory palaces stringed instruments make you glad;
9 daughters of kings are among your ladies of honor; at
your right hand stands the queen in gold of Ophir. 10
Hear, O daughter, and consider, and incline your ear: forget your
people and your father's house, 11 and the king will
desire your beauty. Since he is your lord, bow to him.
12 The people of Tyre will seek your favor with gifts,
the richest of the people. 13 All glorious is the
princess in her chamber, with robes interwoven with
gold.14 In many-colored robes she is led to the king,
with her virgin companions following behind her. 15 With
joy and gladness they are led along as they enter the palace of the
king. 16 In place of your fathers shall be your sons;
you will make them princes in all the earth.17 I will
cause your name to be remembered in all generations; therefore
nations will praise you forever and ever.
Certainly a candidate for one of the greatest love songs in all
of Scripture, Psalm 45 was likely written in honor of King
Solomon’s wedding. But as John Calvin puts it, “there can be no
doubt, that under this figure the majesty, wealth, and extent of
Christ’s kingdom are described and illustrated … to teach the
faithful that there is no felicity greater or more desirable than
to live under the reign of this king.” Like the psalmist, this
morning in worship our hearts will overflow as we sing exuberant
hymns such as Praise To The Lord, The Almighty and O
Praise Ye The Lord And Sing A New Song—Psalm 149. The psalm
(and the scripture reading from Revelation 19) describe a royal
wedding feast; we implore one another in the hymn Christ Jesus
Lay In Death’s Strong Bands to “keep the festival to which the
Lord invites us.” Like Solomon’s bride, we are in awe of the
loveliness of the King’s palace (O Lord Of Hosts, How
Lovely—Psalm 84), and we are encouraged to “let goods and
kindred go” in favor of His kingdom (A Mighty Fortress Is Our
God). On this Sunday when we remember departed Christians
throughout the ages, as well as our specific Reformation heritage,
let us join the “countless host” of the King’s bride and her
attendants, singing “Alleluia, Alleluia!” (For All The
Saints) with joy and gladness. —Henry C. Haffner
Key Words: King, Father, Son, God, Beauty,
Throne
Keystone Verse: Your throne, O God, is forever and
ever. The scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of uprightness.
(Psalm 45:6)
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