HEADING. ‘For the Chief Musician; set to Shoshannim. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. Maschil. A Song of loves.' Again we have a psalm for the choirmaster set to the tune Shoshannim (‘lilies'). In the Song of Solomon 2:16; Song of Solomon 6:2 the place of lilies was the place for love, and so the name... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PSALMIST INDICATES THE JOY WITH WHICH HE WRITES (PSALMS 45:1) Psalms 45:1 ‘My heart overflows with a goodly matter; I speak the things which I have made touching the king. My tongue is the pen of a ready writer.' It is clear from these words that the writer was almost overwhelmed at the occ... [ Continue Reading ]
THE KING'S SPLENDOUR (PSALMS 45:2). Psalms 45:2 ‘You are fairer than the children of men, Grace is poured into your lips, Therefore God has blessed you for ever.' ‘You are fairer than the children of men.' David himself appears to have been a splendid looking man (1 Samuel 16:12), a trait which... [ Continue Reading ]
A DESCRIPTION OF THE KING'S GLORY (PSALMS 45:2). His description of the bridegroom's glory follows a carefully constructed pattern. 1) Firstly he describes the king's splendour (Psalms 45:2). He is fairer than the children of men, granted wisdom by God and blessed by God for ever. This was no doub... [ Continue Reading ]
PROCEEDING TO THE ROYAL WEDDING (PSALMS 45:8). Having established the glory of the king's person attention now turns to the Royal Wedding. He is covered in delightful ointments and perfumes, he is welcomed by stringed instruments playing from ivory palaces, he is attended by the daughters of kings,... [ Continue Reading ]
ADVICE GIVEN TO THE BRIDE (PSALMS 45:10). The bride is advised to forget her past life and to look forward to her glorious future. She may well never have met her husband-to-be, and was probably feeling a little lost and homesick. But she is advised to accept advice and be responsive, and to forget... [ Continue Reading ]
THE GLORY OF THE BRIDE (PSALMS 45:13). The glory of the bride, who is a king's daughter, is now described, and her entrance in splendour into the king's palace. Psalms 45:13 ‘The king's daughter within the palace is all glorious, Her clothing is inwrought with gold. She will be led to the king... [ Continue Reading ]
CONCLUDING PROMISES TO THE KING (PSALMS 45:16). Psalms 45:16 ‘Instead of your fathers will be your children, Whom you will make princes in all the earth. I will make your name to be remembered in all generations, Therefore will the peoples give you thanks for ever and ever.' The final urging t... [ Continue Reading ]