Jesus the King


Psalm 45
To the choirmaster: according to Lilies. A Maskil of the Sons of Korah; a love song.
1My heart overflows with a pleasing theme; I address my verses to the king; my tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe.
2You are the most handsome of the sons of men; grace is poured upon your lips; therefore God has blessed you forever.
3Gird your sword on your thigh, O mighty one, in your splendor and majesty!
4In your majesty ride out victoriously for the cause of truth and meekness and righteousness; let your right hand teach you awesome deeds!
5Your arrows are sharp in the heart of the king’s enemies; the peoples fall under you.
6Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. The scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of uprightness;
7you have loved righteousness and hated wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions;
8your robes are all fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia. From ivory palaces stringed instruments make you glad;
9daughters of kings are among your ladies of honor; at your right hand stands the queen in gold of Ophir.
10Hear, O daughter, and consider, and incline your ear: forget your people and your father’s house,
11and the king will desire your beauty. Since he is your lord, bow to him.
12The people of Tyre will seek your favor with gifts, the richest of the people.
13All glorious is the princess in her chamber, with robes interwoven with gold.
14In many-colored robes she is led to the king, with her virgin companions following behind her.
15With joy and gladness they are led along as they enter the palace of the king.
16In place of your fathers shall be your sons; you will make them princes in all the earth.
17I will cause your name to be remembered in all generations; therefore nations will praise you forever and ever.

When you first read through this psalm, you may think, “Why is this in here?” Why would God put something in His book that praises a human king? Who cares? At least that is what I thought. But it’s all in the perspective when it comes to this particular poem / song. When seen through the lens of Christ as the conquering King, the entire psalm takes shape as a great song of praise.

“In the opening verse, the poet declares the greatness of his theme. He is not writing about an ordinary king or composing a wedding march for a royal wedding of Israel. By inspiration he is writing for Christ, the messianic King, and for his wedding to his bride, the church. The quotation of this psalm in Hebrews chapter 1 and many of its details make it clear that this psalm is not a mere royal psalm written for a king of Israel but a messianic psalm that refers to Christ.”
Brug, J. F. ©1989. Psalms 1–72 (2nd ed., pp. 186–187). Milwaukee, WI: Northwestern Pub. House.

Read through the psalm again, seeing Christ as the “King” and us as His bride. Suddenly this is a song of praise, adoration, conquest of God’s enemies, and the celebration of a wonderful marriage. All of those themes appear in this song. This is a prime example of allowing Scripture to interpret Scripture. Hebrews 1 quotes this Psalm specifically in reference to Christ. We also find the same themes being repeated throughout the New Testament. If that were not the case, we would go back to wondering why this psalm appears in the Bible at all.

As we see Jesus as the King throughout this poem, we must also see ourselves as the bride that the King returns for in these words as well. Now we appear in the picture and that bring true joy to the reading of this psalm. There we are as the one for whom Jesus did everything. There we are as the recipients of His grace and the benefactors of His victories. Now there is hope and grace throughout these words. Jesus is at the center of the text, right where He always belongs and we are the objects of His great love. What a great way to start the day!

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