Psalm 45 The Royal Wedding
Psalm 45
To the choirmaster: according to Lilies. A Maskil of the Sons of Korah; a love song.
1 My heart overflows with a pleasing theme;
I address my verses to the king;
my tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe.
Korah was the grandson of Kohath, and he began to run with another group of Reubenite rebels, namely, Dathan and Abiram, sons of Eliab, and On, son of Peleth. In pride, they roused a group of 250 men together to challenge the right of Moses and Aaron to the priesthood (Numbers 16). Moses summoned the rebellious men to stand before God and burn incense. God warned Moses to let the assembly know to get away from Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, their households, and the other rebels. Then a remarkable and terrifying event happened.
Numbers 16:28–35 (ESV)
28 And Moses said, “Hereby you shall know that the Lord has sent me to do all these works, and that it has not been of my own accord. 29 If these men die as all men die, or if they are visited by the fate of all mankind, then the Lord has not sent me. 30 But if the Lord creates something new, and the ground opens its mouth and swallows them up with all that belongs to them, and they go down alive into Sheol, then you shall know that these men have despised the Lord.”
31 And as soon as he had finished speaking all these words, the ground under them split apart. 32 And the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, with their households and all the people who belonged to Korah and all their goods. 33 So they and all that belonged to them went down alive into Sheol, and the earth closed over them, and they perished from the midst of the assembly. 34 And all Israel who were around them fled at their cry, for they said, “Lest the earth swallow us up!” 35 And fire came out from the Lord and consumed the 250 men offering the incense.
The Korahites became doorkeepers and custodians for the tabernacle (1 Chronicles 9:19–21; 1 Chronicles 2.) One group of Korahites (1 Chronicles 12:6) joined King David in various military exploits and won the reputation of being expert warriors. However, the most remarkable thing to note about the sons of Korah is that during the time of King David, they became the great leaders in choral and orchestral music in the tabernacle.
Of all of the psalms in the Bible, eleven are attributed to the sons of Korah. These beautiful psalms express a spirit of great gratitude and humility to an awesome, mighty God. They express a longing for God and deep devotion. These poetic songs include Psalms 42, 44—49, 84—85, and 87—88. Psalm 42:1 contains the beautiful line, “As the deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God.” Psalm 84:1 states, “How lovely is your dwelling place, O God.” Psalm 46:1–3 conveys the powerful message, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.”
Here in Psalm 45, we see the wedding of all weddings.
This Psalm was used for the royal weddings in Israel. Whenever a king of the Davidic line entered into marriage this amazing piece of literature was spoken to honor the king. Everyone knew however, it wasn’t ultimately to find its fulfillment in the human son or descendant of David but it’s ultimate meaning pointed to the Divine Son of David, our Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus is the Royal Groom poetically portrayed by the divinely inspired Sons of Korah whose minds were illumined with the glory of Jesus Christ centuries before He was born of the Virgin Mary.
1. Jesus is the Royal Groom Poetically Pictured (45:2-9)
2 You are the most handsome of the sons of men;
grace is poured upon your lips;
therefore God has blessed you forever.
King Jesus is beautiful beyond measure. He in His great majesty far surpasses all in glory and honor. His very words are words of pure grace spoken to His beloved, the Church.
grace is poured upon your lips;
Jesus speaks as a great King who is a Shepherd of His people not a dictator. He loves His bride and speaks words of grace to her. Beloved, everything Jesus will ever say to you, now through His Word the Bible and one day face to face will forever only be words of grace and kindness.
A. King Jesus is Superior in Might (45:3-5)
Like a godly Husband He will fight for and protect the Church, His bride…
3 Gird your sword on your thigh, O mighty one,
in your splendor and majesty!
4 In your majesty ride out victoriously
for the cause of truth and meekness and righteousness;
let your right hand teach you awesome deeds!
5 Your arrows are sharp
in the heart of the king’s enemies;
the peoples fall under you.
His military superiority will always secure peace for His Bride, the Church. King Jesus goes out to fight with His sword on His side He will always return in victory. Picture Christ riding His white horse and leading the entire population of heaven to secure His Bride. He will reign as the eternal Victor and His Kingdom will be one of eternal peace.
Here, the writer portrays the Messiah armed and skillful in the use of His bow. This picture of Jesus is the one John saw as he writes…
Revelation 6:2 (ESV)
2 And I looked, and behold, a white horse! And its rider had a bow, and a crown was given to him, and he came out conquering, and to conquer.
He is the Champion of… truth and meekness and righteousness.
B. King Jesus is Superior in Glory (45:6-9)
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;
8 your robes are all fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia.
From ivory palaces stringed instruments make you glad;
9 daughters of kings are among your ladies of honor;
at your right hand stands the queen in gold of Ophir.
Speaking words of praise to the Bride Groom, the writer shows us in a very clear and pointed way that these words reach to heights which are far above any human bridegroom even the human king. These words are addressed to the eternal King, the Messiah, King Jesus.
6 Your throne, O God, is forever and ever.
The New Testament is clear when the writer of Hebrews is in the process of explaining that Jesus, the Son of God is superior to the angels and all other things writes:
Hebrews 1:8–9 (ESV)
8 But of the Son he says,
“Your throne, O God, is forever and ever,
the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.
9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;
therefore God, your God, has anointed you
with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.”
This is fifth OT quotation in a string of quotes from the writer as he shows us the complete superiority of the Son over here specifically the angels. There is a theme when you examine these quotes…throne, scepter, and garments are the items mentioned showing that King Jesus is far and away superior to anyone else.
In verse 9 we see an amazing sight…
9 daughters of kings are among your ladies of honor;
at your right hand stands the queen in gold of Ophir.
At the center of this magnificent procession stands the bride of Christ. The queen in all her beauty. The Church who has been washed of all her iniquities stands arrayed in splendor. We are arrayed in white garments of royal righteousness. The Church’s sinless righteousness glows white because through the blood of Christ she has been perfected.
Compared to the gold of Ophir…pure gold.
2. The Bride is Called to Forsake All Others (45-10-12)
10 Hear, O daughter, and consider, and incline your ear:
forget your people and your father’s house,
11 and the king will desire your beauty.
Since he is your lord, bow to him.
12 The people of Tyre will seek your favor with gifts,
the richest of the people.
One writer tells us that this seems to be the very voice of the God the Father addressing the Church. The Church is to forget all other loyalties and be devoted to Jesus alone. We are to bow down and worship Him alone.
Even though many others will seek your devotion we must resist and be consumed with Christ alone. Our fidelity is crucial…be devoted to Jesus.
Here is where our fleeing idolatry must be part of our allegiance to Christ…no other gods
Flee idolatry and love Christ.
Tyre- marketplace of the ancient world.
3. The Bride is Led to the King (45:13-15)
13 All 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.
15 With joy and gladness they are led along
as they enter the palace of the king.
The Church is presented to the King in all her beauty.
Reminds us of God bringing Eve to Adam at the first wedding.
2 Cor 11:2- The Church is brought to Christ pure and spotless.
How is it that we can be brought to Jesus pure and spotless?
4. Christ Will Have a People
16 In 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.
Here is what some have called the Messianic Promise. This is the Father speaking and He is telling His Son that He will have many who come to Him by faith and become His Sons. They will go out and the very nations they occupy will praise Jesus’ name forever.
The wedding of Weddings…the Church, the Bride of Christ and the Royal Groom united at last for all eternity in perfect union.
