PSALM 45 THE ARGUMENT The subject matter of this Psalm is by the consent both of Jewish and Christian, ancient and modern, interpreters agreed to be the Messias, and his marriage with the church of God; of which it treats either, 1. Remotely, under the type of Solomon and his marriage with Pharaoh'... [ Continue Reading ]
FAIRER, or, _more beautiful_, i.e. lovely and amiable. He speaks not here so much of this outward beauty, which, though it be an ornament both to a bridegroom and to a king, yet is not very considerable in either, nor is much admired or applauded by wise men, as of the inward and glorious endowments... [ Continue Reading ]
GIRD THY SWORD UPON THY THIGH; either, 1. As an ensign of royal majesty. But that is usually and much better expressed in Scripture _by putting a crown upon his head_. Or rather, 2. As an instrument for war and battle, to smite his enemies, as it is declared, PSALMS 45:4,5. And the _sword_ is here... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THY MAJESTY; being thus gloriously or magnificently girt and armed. _Ride prosperously_; march on speedily (which is signified by riding) and successfully against thine enemies, i.e. thou shalt do so, as it is in the last clause, SHALL TEACH THEE. So imperatives are oft put for futures, and predi... [ Continue Reading ]
THINE ARROWS; the same thing for substance with _the sword_, PSALMS 45:3, both noting the instruments by which he conquers his enemies; which is no other than his word, which is sharp and powerful, and pierceth the hearts of men, HEBREWS 4:12; which also first wounds sinners, and then heals them; an... [ Continue Reading ]
O GOD: it is most evident that the speech is still continued to the same person, whom he calls _King_, PSALMS 45:1,11, and here GOD; which change of the title was very expedient, and in some sort necessary, to give us a true understanding of this Psalm, and to assure us that he doth not speak of Sol... [ Continue Reading ]
Thou dost not only do that which is good, and avoid that which is evil; which even bad princes and men may do, and sometimes actually do, for politic or prudential reasons; but thou dost this sincerely, and from an inward principle, even from a true love to God, and goodness, and from an implacable... [ Continue Reading ]
WITH MYRRH, AND ALOES, AND CASSIA they used to perfume their garments: see GENESIS 27:27. This may denote those glorious and sweet-smelling virtues, which as they were treasured up inwardly in Christ's heart, so did they manifest themselves outwardly and visibly, and give forth a grateful smell in t... [ Continue Reading ]
AMONG THY HONOURABLE WOMEN, i.e. amongst them that attend upon thy spouse, as the manner was in nuptial solemnities; as men attended upon the bridegroom, whence they were called _friends_, 1 THESSALONIANS 3:29. In reference to Christ, as the spouse or queen is the church in general, so these honoura... [ Continue Reading ]
HEARKEN: these words are spoken, either, 1. In the person of the attendants upon the bride or bridegroom. Or, 2. Of the bridegroom. Or rather, 3. By the prophet himself; who having hitherto spoken to the bridegroom, or king, now addresseth his speech to the bride, or queen. O DAUGHTER: so he calls... [ Continue Reading ]
So doing thou shalt be amiable and acceptable to thy Husband; which will abundantly recompense thee for the loss of thy father's house. HE IS THY LORD; as he is thy Husband, and also as he is thy King and God, as he was called, PSALMS 45:6. And this is added as a reason, not of the last words, why t... [ Continue Reading ]
THE DAUGHTER OF TYRE, i.e. the people or citizens of Tyre; as _the daughter of Zion_, or Jerusalem, or Babel, &c., are put for their inhabitants, 2 KINGS 19:21 PSALMS 137:8 MALACHI 9:9. He mentioneth the Tyrians, partly because they did give presents to Solomon, 1 KINGS 5:1, &c., to whom here is a c... [ Continue Reading ]
THE KING'S DAUGHTER, i.e. the spouse; so called, either because she was the daughter of one king, and the wife of another; or because the spouse or wife is sometimes called the husband's daughter; partly because she is supposed to be younger than he; and partly because of that respect and subjection... [ Continue Reading ]
He alludes to the custom of conducting the bride to the bridegroom's house. HER COMPANIONS, i.e. her bridemaidens attending upon her, called her _honourable women_, PSALMS 45:9, SEE POOLE ON "PSALMS 45:9", and here VIRGINS, because of their spiritual purity and chastity, 2 CORINTHIANS 11:2.... [ Continue Reading ]
Full of joy for the glory and felicity of the bride and bridegroom, and for the comfort and benefit which redoundeth to themselves from it.... [ Continue Reading ]
Having directed his speech to the bride, he now returns to the bridegroom, as may be gathered both from the Hebrew words, which are of the masculine gender; and from the next verse, which unquestionably belongs unto him; yet so that he supposeth the bride to be concerned and partaker with him in the... [ Continue Reading ]
As he began the Psalm with the celebration of the king's praises, so now he endeth with it, and adds this important circumstance, that this nuptial song should not only serve for the present solemnity, as others of that kind do, but that it should be remembered and sung in all successive generations... [ Continue Reading ]