LHC Midday Word: PSALM Forty Five

For the director of music.

To the tune of ‘Lilies’.

Of the Sons of Korah. A maskil.

A wedding song.

My heart is stirred by a noble theme

as I recite my verses for the king;

my tongue is the pen of a skilful writer.

You are the most excellent of men

and your lips have been anointed with grace,

since God has blessed you for ever.

Gird your sword on your side, you mighty one;

clothe yourself with splendour and majesty.

In your majesty ride forth victoriously

in the cause of truth, humility and justice;

let your right hand achieve awesome deeds.

Let your sharp arrows pierce the hearts of the king’s enemies;

let the nations fall beneath your feet.

Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever;

a sceptre of justice will be the sceptre of your kingdom.

You love righteousness and hate wickedness;

therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions

by anointing you with the oil of joy.

All your robes are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia;

from palaces adorned with ivory

the music of the strings makes you glad.

Daughters of kings are among your honoured women;

at your right hand is the royal bride in gold of Ophir.

Listen, daughter, and pay careful attention:

Forget your people and your father’s house.

Let the king be enthralled by your beauty;

honour him, for he is your lord.

The city of Tyre will come with a gift,

people of wealth will seek your favour.

All glorious is the princess within her chamber;

her gown is interwoven with gold.

In embroidered garments she is led to the king;

her virgin companions follow her –

those brought to be with her.

Led in with joy and gladness,

they enter the palace of the king.

Your sons will take the place of your fathers;

you will make them princes throughout the land.

I will perpetuate your memory through all generations;

therefore the nations will praise you for ever and ever.

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Word by Word Meditations

by Fred Ursell

Psalm 45 : “enthralled” (v.11)

This Psalm is described in the heading as ‘a wedding song’ and pictures a royal bridegroom. He is “the most excellent of men” (v.2) - a picture of Christ.

A spectacular quote from verses 6-7 states : “about the Son he says, ‘your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever … God, your God, has set you above your companions” (Hebrews 1 vv.8-9).

The focus turns from the glory of the groom to his great love for his bride (the church). We need to take this in properly. It seems beyond wonderful, too good to be true. “The king is enthralled by your beauty” (v.11). ‘How marvellous … my Saviour’s love for me!’

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READING

Psalm Forty Five

Read by David Suchet