PSALM XLV _The contents of this Psalm are generally summed up thus: The_ _majesty and grace of Christ's kingdom; or an epithalamium of_ _Jesus Christ and the Christian Church; the duty of this Church,_ _and its privileges. The Psalm contains a magnificent_ _description of the beauty, ornaments,... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 45:2. _THOU ART FAIRER THAN THE CHILDREN OF MEN_] By whom are these words spoken? As this is a regular epithalamium, we are to consider that the bride and bridegroom have compliments paid them by those called the friends of the bridegroom, and the companions or maids of the bride. But... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 45:3. _GIRD THY SWORD UPON_ THY _THIGH, O_ MOST _MIGHTY_] This clause should be translated, _O hero, gird thy sword upon thy_ _thigh_! This, I think, cannot be spoken of Solomon. He was not a warlike prince: he never did any feats of arms. It has been said he would have been a warrior,... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 45:4. _IN THY MAJESTY RIDE PROSPEROUSLY_] These words cannot be spoken of Solomon; they are true only of Christ. His _riding_ is the prosperous progress of his Gospel over the earth. He uses no sword but the sword of the Spirit; and what religion, system of truth, pretended or real, eve... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 45:5. _THINE ARROWS_ ARE _SHARP_] The arrows here may mean the convictions produced in the hearts of men by the preaching of the Gospel. The King is God himself; his enemies are sinners of all sorts. The people, the Jews, thousands of whom were pricked in their hearts under the preachin... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 45:6. _THY THRONE, O GOD_, IS _FOR EVER_] כסאך אלהים עולם ועד _kisacha Elohim olam vaed_. "O God, thy throne is for ever, and eternal!" The word _Elohim_ here is the very _first_ term or _name_ by which the Supreme God has made himself known to the children of men. See Genesis 1:1; and... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 45:7. _OIL OF GLADNESS_] As an evidence that all causes of _mourning, sorrow_, and _death_, were at an end; as in the state of mourning the ancients did not anoint themselves. I have mentioned above that the author of the Epistle to the Hebrews, Hebrews 1:8, quotes Psalms 45:6, of this... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 45:8. _ALL THY GARMENTS_ SMELL _OF MYRRH_] The Asiatics are very partial to perfumes; every thing with them is perfumed, and especially their garments. And the _ivory palaces_ mentioned are the _wardrobes_ inlaid with ivory, in which their numerous changes of raiment were deposited. _My... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 45:9. _KINGS' DAUGHTERS_ WERE _AMONG_] Applied to Solomon, these words have no difficulty. We know he had _seven hundred_ wives, _princesses_; and the mention of those here may be intended only to show how highly respected he was among the neighbouring sovereigns, when they cheerfully... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 45:10. _HEARKEN. O DAUGHTER, AND CONSIDER_] This is the beginning of the address by the _companions of the bride_ to their mistress; after having, in the preceding verses, addressed the bridegroom; or, rather, given a description of his person, qualities, and magnificence. Suppose the... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 45:12. _THE DAUGHTER OF TYRE_ SHALL BE THERE _WITH A GIFT_] The Tyrians shall pay tribute to thy spouse, and assist him in all his grand and magnificent operations. As, at this time, Tyre was the greatest maritime and commercial city in the world, it may be here taken as representing t... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 45:13. _THE KING'S DAUGHTER_ IS _ALL GLORIOUS WITHIN_] This, in some sense, may be spoken of Solomon's bride, the daughter of the king of Egypt; and then the expression may refer either to the cultivation of her mind, or the ornaments and splendour of her palace. The Asiatic queens, sul... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 45:14. _SHE SHALL BE BROUGHT UNTO THE KING_] When an Asiatic princess is brought to her spouse, she is inclosed in a _palakee_, and no part of her person is visible. She is attended by her principal friends and companions, who _follow_ the palakee, and the ceremony is accompanied with g... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 45:16. _INSTEAD OF THY FATHERS SHALT BE THY CHILDREN_] This is the _third_ part, or prophetic declaration relative to the numerous and powerful issue of this marriage. Instead of the kindred, which thou hast left behind in Egypt, thou shalt have numerous children. This cannot refer eit... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 45:17. _THEREFORE SHALL THE PEOPLE PRAISE THEE_] They shall magnify the heavenly Bridegroom, and sing the wonderful displays of his love to the Church, his spouse. And the constant use of this Psalm in the Christian Church is a literal fulfillment of the prophecy. ANALYSIS OF THE FORTY... [ Continue Reading ]