Psalm 45
I guess it’s a little weird of me, but I love to find “hidden treasures” in God’s word. What I mean is that I specifically look for passages in Scripture that most people aren’t familiar with. Everyone loves the 23rd Psalm, and lots of folks at least recognize such Psalms as the 46th, or the 139th, or maybe the 150th. But today’s is not on most “favorite” lists, and I think it should be.
It’s obviously a wedding song, from both the title and the text, but whose? Its authors are the “Sons of Korah,” (which we’ll discuss at a later time, it’s an interesting story). Are they referring to any certain king, or is there something more here?
Just on the surface, it seems to be only referring to a human king, a beautiful song meant to be sung on his wedding day. But there’s more here than meets the eye. Again, we need to be careful about attaching O.T. passages to the Lord Jesus, but in this case we have some pretty strong reason. The writer of Hebrews expressly applies it to Christ, so at least some of this is pertains to him.
The first part of the Psalm describes the king, and what a picture it presents! He’s amazing to look at and amazing to listen to. His words are touched by God himself, and grace is on his lips. He’s majestic in his splendor, and his enemies’ days are numbered. All the nations themselves will fall at his feet.
Here’s where it gets a little mysterious, at least if you think this Psalm only refers to a human king. The Psalmist suddenly switches to talking about the king to addressing God in vss. 6-7: “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom. You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.”
So who is the author addressing in those verses? God or the king? Well, if you believe in the divinity of Christ, then the answer is “both.” "Your throne, O God [referring to Jesus], will last for ever and ever. . . therefore God, your God [referring to the Father], has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy."
After this the Psalmist speaks to the Bride, but in accord with Middle Eastern tradition, the Bridegroom is still the center of attention. Having said that, I think that this is the most beautiful description of the Church I can find in Scripture. How does the King see his bride? He’s “enthralled by [her] beauty.” She’s “glorious” to him, and he eagerly awaits their union. The wedding procession is filled with “joy and gladness” as “they enter the palace of the king.” She only has eyes for her Groom (which is expected and appropriate for us as believers), but the Groom only has eyes for his Bride. The Church we see is far less than perfect: backbiting, worldly, materialistic, easily divided against itself, etc., But that's not how he sees her. He looks at her and sees her as she one day will be.
By the way, there’s a good application for us as believers now. What’s the counsel that the Psalmist gives the Bride? “Forget your people and your (original) father's house.” Don’t pine away for your old life. Your loyalty and your love belong to your new Lord and Divine Husband, and no one else.
And that’s not the end of the story. Their “children” will be multiplied, and his Name will be perpetuated throughout eternity. All the “nations” (or “Gentiles,” that’s you and me) will praise his name for ever and ever.
Now do you see why I love this Psalm?
Lord Jesus, I am overwhelmed by the love that you’ve shown me. I was lost, but you’ve claimed me as your own. I deserved nothing from you but judgment, but you’ve cleansed me and clothed me in your righteousness. I will praise your name forever and ever.
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