A Psalm of Love

“The princess is decked in her chamber with gold-woven robes; in many-colored robes she is led to the king, with her virgin companions, her escort, in her train” (Psalm 45:13-14, RSV version unless otherwise noted).

— Jeff Earl

Introduction

Psalm 45 begins with the instructions “To the Choirmaster: according to Lilies. A Maskil of the Sons of Korah; a love song.” The Hebrew word Shoshannim is used instead of “Lilies” in the King James translation. This term may refer to a musical melody or style, or perhaps a six-stringed instrument that resembles a lily. It has also been suggested by some that the reference is to musical instruments, which could be the flute and the harp, which are to be softly and clearly enunciated.

The word “Maskil” or “Maschil” means to instruct or contemplate the deeper meaning of the Psalm that is put to music. The term Maschil appears at the beginning of 13 of the Psalms. The reference to the “sons of Korah” can be traced back to the rebellion against Moses by Korah, a descendant of Levi, in Numbers 16. However, Numbers 26:11 says that the sons of Korah did not die, whereas Korah and his followers were destroyed. The sons of Korah became the gatekeepers and musicians in the Tabernacle and later in the Temple.

The Theme of Psalm 45

The general symbolic theme of this Psalm is the relationship between Jesus Christ and his Church as the Bridegroom and his Bride. It discusses Jesus as a King when he receives Jehovah’s blessing and his rulership, with the power to subdue all who oppose him. This Psalm applies primarily to the Kingdom Age, with an emphasis toward Christ and his Church, though it also acknowledges Jehovah.

David’s Inspiration to Write What is in His Heart (Verse 1)

King David begins with “My heart overflows with a goodly theme; I address my verses to the king; my tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe.” Here, David is overjoyed with anticipation and God’s inspiration to write the things that are on his heart. A similar inspiration to put his feelings into words can be found earlier, in Psalm 39:3, when he proclaims, “my heart became hot within me. As I mused, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue.” David wanted to express the joyous message he perhaps received in a dream or in just an inspirational moment. The reference to the “king” in verse 1 is likely Jesus.

Jesus Receives God’s Blessing Forever (Verse 2)

In verse 2, David describes Jesus in the following way: “You are the fairest of the sons of men; grace is poured upon your lips; therefore God has blessed you for ever.” The beginning of this verse refers to Jesus during his earthly walk. The phrase “grace is poured upon your lips” is corroborated in Luke 4:22 when “all spoke well of him [in the Synagogue], and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth.” When the Pharisees sent the officers to arrest Jesus, John 7:46 quotes the officers as telling the chief priests and Pharisees, “No man ever spoke like this man!” The statement, “God has blessed you for ever,” indicates Jesus’ elevation far above the angels due to his loyalty to his Father, who raised him to sit at his right hand for eternity.

Jesus Rules the Earth with Majesty and Power (Verses 3–5)

“Gird your sword upon your thigh, O mighty one, in your glory and majesty! In your majesty ride forth victoriously for the cause of truth and to defend the right; let your right hand teach you dread deeds!” (verses 3-4). These words point to the Messiah, with power, glory, and majesty, defeating any opposition to his righteous rule in the Millennial or Kingdom Age. With his sword at his side in its sheath he rides on his horse, ready to wield it with the right hand of power.

Verse 5 continues with this theme of destroying his enemies: “Your arrows are sharp in the heart of the king’s enemies; the peoples fall under you.” This picture of Jesus majestically riding forth sounds like Revelation 19:11-16, when Jesus and the glorified Church ride on white horses to subdue the nations and rebellious people. “Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! … the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, followed him on white horses. From his mouth issues a sharp sword with which to smite the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron.”

This term “rod of iron” is also used in Psalm 2:9, “You shall break them with a rod of iron, and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel,” and in Revelation 2:27, “And he shall rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces.” The people falling under Christ in verse 5 can also be interpreted as the people falling before Christ’s arrows of truth in obedience, submission, and reverence. Some commentators, however, have suggested that the “king” in verse 5 is Jehovah God and not Christ, with the reasoning that Christ, as a King, is “fighting for a superior King.”

The Divine Rulership of Jesus in the Kingdom and Beyond (Verses 6-9)

For verse 6, the RSV reads “Your divine throne endures for ever and ever. Your royal scepter is a scepter of equity.” The King James reads “Thy throne, O God is for ever and ever,” while the Masoretic manuscript and Leeser translation read, “Thy throne, given of God.” With these different renderings, the start of this verse may be interpreted as referring to either Jesus, or Jehovah for the time period after the Millennial or Kingdom Age.

However, the Apostle Paul in Hebrews 1:8 seems to identify Jesus here. In addition, if taken along with verse 7, the passage clearly applies to Jesus. “You love righteousness and hate wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows.” The anointing by God clearly points to Jesus. Being anointed with the oil of gladness above his fellows calls to mind the anointing of Aaron by Moses (over or “above” his sons) in Exodus 29:7 and Leviticus 8:12. Likewise, the anointing of David by Samuel in 1 Samuel 16:13 (was over or “above” his other seven brothers).

Psalm 133:2 describes the oil running down upon Aaron’s beard and to the collar of his robes. This description of the “precious oil” running down the beard is compared to brothers dwelling in unity in Psalm 133:1. It can also remind us of the importance of striving for unity and fellowship among the brethren in Christ.

Psalm 45, verses 6 and 7, are quoted by the Apostle Paul in Hebrews 1:8-9, but in verse 8 he adds, “But of the Son he says,” which again points to Jesus. From the opening verse in Hebrews 1, Paul is talking about Jesus. In verse 10, Jehovah is regarded as the architect and Jesus as his “master workman,” as described in Proverbs 8:30 (ASV). Hebrews 1:13 says, “sit at my right hand, till I make thy enemies a stool for thy feet.” This verse describes Jesus’ enemies being put under his feet, and has the same sense as Psalm 45:5 when the “peoples fall under you” — they also are under his feet.

Verse 8 then describes the fragrances of Jesus’ robes. “Your robes are all fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia. From ivory palaces, stringed instruments make you glad.” Myrrh has a pungent odor and is a fumigant and preservative. Myrrh is also bitter to the taste and describes bitter experiences. Aloe was used in burial, but it also has a healing quality, as the aloe leaves can be used to treat burns. A hundred-pound mixture of myrrh and aloes was used to anoint Jesus’ body (John 19:39). Cassia is derived from the inner bark of the cassia tree and is related to cinnamon and has certain health benefits. It is suggested that cassia symbolizes Jesus’ ability to carry out his Father’s will and purposes.

Verse 9, “Daughters of kings are among your ladies of honor; at your right hand stands the queen in gold of Ophir.” The “queen in gold of Ophir” pictures the Bride of Christ or Church at his right hand. Who then are the “daughters of kings”? Note that there are multiple daughters and multiple kings in this passage. One possibility is that “kings” can refer to empires, powers, or earthly kingdoms. Daniel 2:44 states, “And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed … It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand for ever.” This refers to the kingdoms of this age being torn down and replaced with the Kingdom of God. Daniel 7:17-18 reinforces this with Christ and his Church replacing the earthly powers. “These four great beasts are four kings who shall arise out of the earth. But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, for ever and ever.”

The “gold of Ophir” at the end of Psalm 45:9 is also mentioned in 1 Kings 10:11 (“the fleet of Hiram, which brought gold from Ophir”), and in Job 22:24 (“gold of Ophir among the stones of the torrent bed”). Ophir was a region, possibly in Arabia, East Africa, or India, known for its wealth, particularly in gold and precious stones.

The Daughter Forsakes her People and Family for the King (Verses 10-12)

Verses 10-11 caution the daughter to listen carefully to what is about to be said and how to act before the king: “Hear, O daughter, consider, and incline your ear; forget your people and your father’s house; and the king will desire your beauty. Since he is your lord, bow to him.” The counsel to forsake her people, suggests such loyalty that would abandon earthly friendships and her family ties in order to be with her King.

These verses can perhaps have a twofold fulfillment: one to natural Israel and the primary one to the Church or Little Flock. In the Old Testament the nation of Israel is frequently called “daughter,” as in 2 Kings 19:21, “The virgin daughter of Zion … the daughter of Jerusalem.” Isaiah 62:11-12 encourages Israel, “Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your salvation comes; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him.’ And they shall be called The Holy People, The Redeemed of the Lord.” The “daughter of Zion” refers to the nation of Israel, and in verses 11 and in 12 their “salvation” will be fully accomplished with the rescue of the Holy Remnant from Jacob’s Trouble.

When applying these verses to the Little Flock, Psalms 45:10 advises her to forget her people. It calls to mind Jesus’ words in Matthew 10:37, “He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me.” Verse 11 tells the daughter to bow to the king or lord (Christ). This describes the relationship between the Bride (Little Flock) and the Bridegroom (Christ). It is this relationship as the Bride that natural Israel never had, that provides the primary prophetic application to the Little Flock.

Verse 12 speaks of the enticement of Tyre. “The people of Tyre [daughter of Tyre in the KJV] will sue your favor with gifts, the richest of the people with all kinds of wealth.” The people or daughter of Tyre represents Satan’s kingdom and includes the false church. Tyre will entice the true church with gifts to distract and tempt her to follow the false church.

The city of Tyre was known for its wealth and maritime trade. In Matthew 11:21-22 and Luke 10:13, Tyre is mentioned as an unrepentant city. Ezekiel 28 talks about the destruction of the kingdom of Satan and is represented by Tyre. “Son of man, say to the prince of Tyre [or Tyrus], Thus says the Lord God: ‘Because your heart is proud, and you have said, ‘I am a god, I sit in the seat of the gods’ ” (verse 2). The city of Tyre represents the false church throughout the Gospel Age. In verse 8, the Lord says, “They shall thrust you down into the Pit, and you shall die the death of the slain.”

The identification of Satan himself as the king of Tyre is clarified in Ezekiel 28:12,13, and 15. “Son of man, raise a lamentation over the king of Tyre. … You were the signet of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. (13) You were in Eden, the garden of God …(15) You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created, till iniquity was found in you.” Finally, verse 19 describes the destruction of Satan: “you have come to a dreadful end and shall be no more for ever.”

The Princess with her Virgin Companions is Led to the King (Verses 13-15)

Verses 13 and 14 describe the princess and her procession, led to the king. “The princess is decked in her chamber with gold-woven robes; in many-colored robes she is led to the king, with her virgin companions, her escort, in her train.” The princess, or the king’s daughter (KJV), represents the Little Flock or Church (Bride of Christ) who is led to the king (Christ) along with the virgin companions (who follow the princess). The gold-woven robes represent the divine nature. The “virgin companions” in verse 14 compare with the “foolish virgins” in the parable of the wise and foolish virgins, Matthew 25:2. They are the Great Multitude (Great Company), identified in Revelation 6:9 as companions and ministers to the Church.

Verse 15 then describes the atmosphere surrounding those in the procession: “With joy and gladness they are led along as they enter the palace of the king.” They are acclaimed and welcomed as they proceed to enter into the palace of the king. Some have commented that this verse suggests that the Great Multitude will not be at the wedding but present later at the great supper.

The Fathers of Old will be made Princes in all the Earth (Verses 16-17) The close of Chapter 45 states, “Instead of your fathers shall be your sons; you will make them princes in all the earth” (verse 16). The “fathers” are the ancient patriarchs — such as Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Gideon, David, etc. Many of them are the “fathers” of the Jews but include people of faith before Abraham, and many women. The Bride of Christ will make the Patriarchs “princes in all the earth” and they will become sons (or children, KJV) of the Bride of Christ. They will be resurrected as fleshly beings on the earth.

Chapter 45 closes with verse 17, “I will cause your name to be celebrated in all generations; therefore the peoples will praise you for ever and ever.” The righteous people of the earth will praise Jesus Christ in the Kingdom and “forever” in the ages to come.

Summary

In this Psalm, King David is overjoyed and inspired to write from his heart. He then prophetically describes Jesus as receiving God’s eternal blessing. The Psalm then continues with Jesus receiving from God the majesty and power to subdue all who oppose him in the Kingdom. His power is described as arrows piercing the heart of his enemies as they fall under him. His divine throne endures forever. The king (Jesus) receives anointing oil, fragrances, and the trappings of royalty in the palace. The daughter then forsakes her worldly friends and family to be with the king. The princess (Bride of Christ) with her companions is led to the king for the wedding. Finally, the ancient patriarchs will be princes in the earth, and the righteous of the earth will praise Christ’s name forever. What a blessed prospect lies ahead!