Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Reflections on Psalms 45

 Psalms 45(Contemporary English Version)
  1. (A special psalm for the people of Korah and for the music leader. To the tune "Lilies." A love song.) My thoughts are filled with beautiful words for the king, and I will use my voice as a writer would use pen and ink.
  2. No one is as handsome as you! Your words are always kind. That is why God will always bless you.
  3. Mighty king, glorious ruler, strap on your sword
  4. and ride out in splendor! Win victories for truth and mercy and justice. Do fearsome things with your powerful arm.
  5. Send your sharp arrows through enemy hearts and make all nations fall at your feet.
  6. You are God, and you will rule forever as king. Your royal power brings about justice.
  7. You love justice and hate evil. And so, your God chose you and made you happier than any of your friends.
  8. The sweet aroma of the spices myrrh, aloes, and cassia, covers your royal robes. You enjoy the music of harps in palaces decorated with ivory.
  9. Daughters of kings are here, and your bride stands at your right side, wearing a wedding gown trimmed with pure gold.
  10. Bride of the king, listen carefully to me. Forget your own people and your father's family.
  11. The king is your husband, so do what he desires.
  12. All of the richest people from the city of Tyre will try to influence you
  13. with precious treasures. Your bride, my king, has inward beauty, and her wedding gown is woven with threads of gold.
  14. Wearing the finest garments, she is brought to you, followed by her young friends, the bridesmaids.
  15. Everyone is excited, as they follow you to the royal palace.
  16. Your sons and your grandsons will also be kings as your ancestors were. You will make them the rulers everywhere on earth.
  17. I will make your name famous from now on, and you will be praised forever and ever.

This psalm is widely considered to be a Messianic psalm, referring to Christ as the king rather than David who might first come to mind. If the king depicted in these verses is Christ, would the bride then be the church or would she be the redeemed remnant of the nation of Israel? There are varying opinions on this question.

This royal groom is described as the "most handsome of men" with grace flowing from his lips. Whether or not his handsomeness is intended to refer to his physical attributes, he is portrayed as one to whom we are attracted and one whose every expression flows with grace. Besides his attractiveness he triumphs truth, humility, and justice. Therefore God has anointed him with the "oil of joy." It is this joy that he extends to all who would receive him.

Then come the instructions to the bride who is counseled to "forget your people and your father's house." (45:10) Is this not our call in following Christ? Consider everything else as secondary to our following him. Forsaking all for him makes his bride beautiful to him. To this union will come children who will be made "princes throughout the land" and cause the king to be "remembered for all generations." And the result will be that "the peoples will praise you forever and ever."

No comments:

Post a Comment