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Psalm chapter 45

English Standard Version

1My heart overflows with a pleasing theme; I address my verses to the king; my tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe. 2You 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! 4In your majesty ride out victoriously for the cause of truth and meekness and righteousness; let your right hand teach you awesome deeds! 5Your 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; 8your robes are all fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia. From ivory palaces stringed instruments make you glad; 9daughters of kings are among your ladies of honor; at your right hand stands the queen in gold of Ophir. 10Hear, O daughter, and consider, and incline your ear: forget your people and your father 's house, 11and the king will desire your beauty. Since he is your lord, bow to him. 12The people of Tyre will seek your favor with gifts, the richest of the people. 13All 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. 15With joy and gladness they are led along as they enter the palace of the king. 16In 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.
New International Version

New American Standard Bible

1My heart is moved with a good theme; I address my verses to the King; My tongue is the pen of a ready writer. 2You are the most handsome of the sons of mankind; Grace is poured upon Your lips; Therefore God has blessed You forever. 3Strap Your sword on Your thigh, Mighty One, In Your splendor and majesty! 4And in Your majesty ride on victoriously, For the cause of truth, humility, and righteousness; Let Your right hand teach You awesome things. 5Your arrows are sharp; The peoples fall under You; Your arrows are in the heart of the King’s enemies. 6Your throne, God, is forever and ever; The scepter of Your kingdom is a scepter of justice. 7You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of joy above Your companions. 8All Your garments are fragrant with myrrh, aloes, and cassia; From ivory palaces stringed instruments have made You joyful. 9Kings’ daughters are among Your noble women; At Your right hand stands the queen in gold from Ophir. 10Listen, daughter, look and incline your ear: Forget your people and your father’s house; 11Then the King will crave your beauty. Because He is your Lord, bow down to Him. 12The daughter of Tyre will come with a gift; The wealthy among the people will seek your favor. 13The King’s daughter is all glorious within; Her clothing is interwoven with gold. 14She will be brought to the King in colorful garments; The virgins, her companions who follow her, Will be brought to You. 15They will be brought with joy and rejoicing; They will enter into the King’s palace. 16In place of your fathers will be your sons; You shall make them princes in all the earth. 17I will make Your name known among all generations; Therefore the peoples will praise You forever and ever.
Christian Standard Bible

New Living Translation

King James Version

New King James Version

1{To the Chief Musician. Set to “The Lilies.” A Contemplation of the sons of Korah. A Song of Love.} My heart is overflowing with a good theme; I recite my composition concerning the King; My tongue is the pen of a ready writer. 2You are fairer than the sons of men; Grace is poured upon Your lips; Therefore God has blessed You forever. 3Gird Your sword upon Your thigh, O Mighty One, With Your glory and Your majesty. 4 And in Your majesty ride prosperously because of truth, humility, and righteousness; And Your right hand shall teach You awesome things. 5Your 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; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom. 7You love righteousness and hate wickedness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness more than Your companions. 8All Your garments are scented with myrrh and aloes and cassia, Out of the ivory palaces, by which they have made You glad. 9 Kings’ daughters are among Your honorable women; At Your right hand stands the queen in gold from Ophir. 10Listen, O daughter, Consider and incline your ear; Forget your own people also, and your father’s house; 11So the King will greatly desire your beauty; Because He is your Lord, worship Him. 12And the daughter of Tyre will come with a gift; The rich among the people will seek your favor. 13The royal daughter is all glorious within the palace; Her clothing is woven with gold. 14 She shall be brought to the King in robes of many colors; The virgins, her companions who follow her, shall be brought to You. 15With gladness and rejoicing they shall be brought; They shall enter the King’s palace. 16Instead of Your fathers shall be Your sons, Whom You shall make princes in all the earth. 17 I will make Your name to be remembered in all generations; Therefore the people shall praise You forever and ever.

What does Psalm chapter 45 mean?

Though no specific occasion is mentioned, this song appears to be for a wedding. And yet, some of the phrases create a preview of the ministry of Jesus Christ. Verses 6 and 7 are directly cited in Hebrews 1:8–9. Though the psalmist is speaking about an earthly king, he is also recording insights into the ultimate King, the Messiah.

The opening title of this psalm addresses it to a musical leader of some kind. It also notes the Hebrew word sō'sannim, or "lilies," possibly referring to the tune to which it was sung. As are several other psalms, this is identified as a maskiyl, probably meaning a pensive song. The "Sons of Korah" were influential in worship in the temple during the era of David and Solomon.

The psalm opens with gushing praise for the king, apparently on the occasion of his wedding. The writer applauds the king's attractiveness, poise, might, and military prowess. Some of these are framed as "hyperbole:" a deliberate exaggeration for effect. Just as a modern love song might call someone "the most beautiful in the world," so too does the psalmist compliment the king. So far as messianic prophecies are concerned, most of these could apply to Jesus, other than exceptional attractiveness (Isaiah 53:2). The following segment, however, is a much closer description of the Messiah (Psalm 45:1–5).

In the book of Hebrews, part of this psalm is cited, to point out that the Promised One is not an angel, but an earthly king who is also God (Hebrews 1:8–9). The king is depicted in incredible splendor, followed by attendants who also radiate beauty. This parallels the Bible's frequent use of marriage images when depicting God's relationship with Israel and Christ's relationship to the church (Isaiah 54:5; Hosea 2:19; John 3:29; Revelation 21:9; 22:17). The psalmist also encourages loyalty and honor for the king, an appropriate echo of believers showing reverence to their King Jesus (Psalm 45:6–15).

At the end of the psalm, the writer makes further references to concepts such as sonship, ruling, remembrance, and the praise of all nations. These, as well, resonate with the Bible's predictions about the ministry of Jesus Christ (Psalm 45:16–17).
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