. Introduction
Our purpose is to render a commentary on Psalm Forty-five, a blessed Messianic psalm (concerning the second advent of the Anointed One, Jesus).
We will follow this format:
Verse of Scripture utilizing the YLT text followed by an NASB mouseover of that verse. Key words in the YLT text will be footnoted with a link to a word study based on the Hebrew text, and/or a general discussion relative to the given word. We are not biblical Greek or Hebrew scholars, please consider our grammatical constructions with a critical eye.
Commentary We shall be commenting on this passage keeping before us at all times the crucial fact that every jot and every tittle comprising these verses came forth under the inspiration of the blessed Holy Spirit. We pray that He, by His grace, helps us along the way.
II. Psalms Forty-Five Commentary Verses
45:1-5-A wedding Song
YLT TEXT:To the Overseer [1]. — ‘On the Lilies [2].’ — By sons of Korah. — An Instruction [3]. — A song of loves [4]. My heart hath indited [5] a good thing, I am telling my works to a king, My tongue is the pen of a speedy [5a] writer. Thou hast been beautified above the sons of men, Grace hath been poured into thy lips, Therefore hath God blessed thee to the age. Gird Thy sword upon the thigh, O mighty, Thy glory and Thy majesty! As to Thy majesty — prosper! — ride! Because of truth [6], and meekness [7] – righteousness [8], And Thy right hand showeth Thee fearful things. Thine arrows are sharp, — Peoples fall under Thee — In the heart of the enemies of the king. (Psa 45:1-5).
COMMENTARY-In this passage we have before us a wedding song; indeed, a love song: “…A song of loves…” Whence this song? From the heart: ‘…Yea my heart it boileth over, it bubbleth up and overfloweth with this love song to thee my king…’ Please catch the passion—here it is literally: ”…My heart hath indited a good thing [‘…I have been dwelling on this… and must needs tell Him…’], I am telling my works to a [even my] king…” Given a New Testament vantage point, it is not hard to spot the inspiration attending this passage. We hear in this love song the passionate love of a Bride for her Bridegroom, even the Christian Church for her King Jesus Christ (2 Cr 11:2, Rev 19:7-9, 21:9). Thus passionately love Him His Beloved (passion betrays the heart): “…My heart hath indited a good thing, I am telling my works to a king…” (“Covenant People,” “Isaiah Chapter Fifty-four Commentary”-and notice the King in return-Psa 16:6). Let us His people thus passionately love our Lord and King Jesus. What does it mean: “…I am telling my works to a king…”? It is precisely the song proper. The psalmist (the Bride) is reciting (singing if you will) a love song to her King: “…My tongue is the pen of a speedy writer…” And since it comes from the heart it is genuine. Thus genuinely, from the heart, do His own love Him.
Now here follows the substance of that song so passionate. Let us examine it and learn from it a bit at a time:
“…Thou hast been beautified above the sons of men…”
O how the Bride sees but excellencies in her Husband: ‘…None can compare to thee my King; thou art the fairest of the fair…’ (1Ki 8:23, Psa 89:8, Sgs 5:9, Mic 7:18). Thus is her King her all-in-all. And she (we) must needs tell Him here that it is so: What is it about Him that has caused thee to lay thy head upon His bosom and not another? Thou must tell Him. Why dost thou trust Him more than any other? Thou must tell Him. Why art thou ready to forsake all for Him? Thou must tell Him. Tell Him in a song; sing it to Him as a love song; sing it to thy Beloved. ‘…My Lord and my King, I love thy ways, beautiful; none can compare; thy manner of life, surpassing; what thou holdest precious and worthy, even poor sinners (imagine that) that thou hast redeemed; I love thy Law, thy Counsel. O that thy reality (even Truth)—I find it so beautiful—yea, that it be my reality…’ Thus is He incarnate beautified above the sons of men, even by His special sons of men: “…Thou hast been beautified above the sons of men…”
“…Grace hath been poured into thy lips…”
He is deity, and He incarnate has been given the Holy Spirit without measure (Isa 11:2, 61:1, Jhn 3:34: “…hON GAR APESTEILEN hO QEOS TA RHMATA TOU QEOU LALEI OU GAR EK METROU DIDWSIN TO PNEUMA…”). Does not our King ever utter gracious things usward (Jhn 1:16)? That which falls from His precious lips is Grace. When our King was here He spoke (speaks by His Spirit) gracious things to His Bride: ‘…I come to seek and to save that which was lost [and she was lost]…’, ‘…Come unto me all ye that are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest [and she was weary, heavy laden]…’, ‘…I am the resurrection and the life, he who believes in me will live even if he dies… [and she was dead in her trespasses]…’, and on and on like that; grace upon grace; grace over against grace from His lips. “…Grace hath been poured into thy lips…” sings the Bride to her Husband. She must needs tell Him; she cannot hold it inside, for passion overwhelms her (thus she is truly a Bride, and not an opportunist, a phony); passion overwhelms her because she is so enamored of this gracious One she beholds so lovely and beautiful; even the gracious One that wooed her (“A Letter of Invitation”). Thus does His own in the quiet of their personal and private fellowship with their King ever sing to Him love songs. They must needs tell Him these things (the inclination to do so is too strong within them); they must needs sing to Him their personally unique love songs (for example Psa 63:3-4, 66:17).
“…Therefore hath God blessed thee to the age [forever]…”
Here precisely is King Jesus, the Son of David, presaged centuries before His appearance: “..Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD…” (Mat 21:6-9, 23:39; cf. Gen 22:18<>Gal 3:8, Rom 9:5, Eph 1:3): “…Therefore hath God blessed thee to the age…” It goes without saying that blessings come through the One God has blessed to the age (Psa 72:17). And hands down the greatest blessing He gives is Salvation; is eternal life in His blessed presence (Jhn 3:16, 6:44, “A Letter of Invitation”, “Children of the Resurrection”). And why is our Lord God blessed (one would think that God needs no blessings)? It is because He, incarnate (here is Condescension), laid down His life in deference to Father God’s command concerning this unto multiplied blessing for others (Jhn 10:17-18, Phl 2:5-11, Rev 5:12). Here is the Grace poured into His lips poured out (even His sufferings, His blood), to the Salvation of many. Praised be our God.
Next follows a victory song in the greater context of this love song to our glorious and majestic Messiah-King:
“… Gird Thy sword upon the thigh, O mighty, Thy glory and Thy majesty! As to Thy majesty — prosper! — ride! Because of truth and meekness – righteousness…”
The Word of God upon His thigh, even the Sword of the Spirit, like a sharp two-edged sword no less, even to the separating of soul and spirit, joints and marrow, thus convicting of truth, and meekness, and righteousness, all of which He loves dearly (Tab. 1), brings the King victory in His battles to establish the same unto the four corners of the world. Yea He, Messiah, a warrior-King, rides into the four corners of the world victoriously—why just look about and see what this sharp two-edged Sword (the Word of God) has accomplished down the centuries. May it ride; yea it rides, and it prospers: “…As to Thy majesty – prosper! – ride!…” It is the good pleasure of the LORD, and it rides girded on His Messiah’s thigh to God’s glory. It rides in every lover of Jehovah God that loves what He loves; that loves truth, and meekness, and righteousness—these are a summary-statement of Majesty (indeed, of Him). How elegant and excellent this is (so is the Gospel; the good pleasure of the LORD, which prospers in our King’s hands Isa 53:10). Here is the Banner under which our King rides majestic, promoting said Majesty to God’s glory (it is for God a Name-Jhn 12:28), and which Banner His Bride follows after; follows after Him, her Hero and King, as He rides into the four corners of the world with His Banner aloft, saving, seeking, succoring (Act 10:38), and winning; nowadays through His very Bride following after Him. How great He is; His holy right arm; His motivations. He is a great King: ‘…Ride and exceedingly prosper great King…’ sings His Bride, enamored of Her Champion who crushes evil and establishes righteousness (who makes all things new-Isa 42:9, 43:19, 2Cr 5:17, Rev 21:5).
It was Father God who subdued (subdues) our King’s enemies and brought (brings) said victory; who stood at our King’s right hand when first He rode into the four corners of the world with Banner aloft, making our King’s enemies His footstool (Isa 52:10, Psa 110:1-2, “Psalm One-hundred-ten Commentary”): “…Thy right hand [=Father God] showeth Thee fearful things. Thine arrows are sharp [Amen!], — Peoples fall under Thee — In the heart of the enemies of the king…” This Gospel Majesty, even the good pleasure of the LORD, it either piques or pierces the heart, and if it pierces, now there—there it prospers (in keeping with what was said above, passion betrays the condition of the heart here).
45:6-9-In Pure Gold of Ophir the King Arrays His Bride
YLT TEXT: Thy throne [9], O God [9a], is age-during, and for ever, A sceptre [10] of uprightness Is the sceptre [10] of Thy kingdom [11]. Thou hast loved righteousness and hatest wickedness, Therefore God [9a], thy God [9a], hath anointed [12] thee, Oil of joy above thy companions [13]. Myrrh [14] and aloes [15], cassia [16]! all thy garments, Out of palaces of ivory Stringed instruments have made thee glad. Daughters of kings are among thy precious ones, A queen [17] hath stood at thy right hand, In pure gold of Ophir [18]. (Psa 45:6-9).
COMMENTARY-The eternality of Messiah’s (King Jesus’) throne is a consistent theme in Scripture, from the Old Testament through the New (2Sa 7:11-16, Psa 89:35-37, Isa 9:6-7, Dan 2:44, 7:13-14, 27, Luk 1:31-33, 1Cr 15:24, Rev 11:15): “…Thy throne, O God, is age-during, and for ever…” Here we are given the character of that eternal throne—it is grounded in uprightness: “…A sceptre of uprightness is the sceptre of Thy kingdom…” The character here related is precisely the character of the King who rules over that Kingdom—He rules in concert with His own character, which loves righteousness and hates wickedness: “…Thou hast loved righteousness and hatest wickedness…” This text (concerning His sceptre) is once-removed a tremendous testimony to His character, as is the follow-on text literally. Catch the polarity of passion here—He loves righteousness and hates wickedness (with all reverence, King Jesus “walks that talk” at Calvary—He is committed to this holy bent to His dying breath-Jhn 19:30). Here in no uncertain terms is the character of that blessed eternal Kingdom, incipient today, in which we long to serve Him; to be with Him in forever. How good it is that we have such a great One, with such a blessed character, to rule over us (this is something new by today’s norms and standards)—just try to imagine what it will be like to live, and move, and have our being in such a blessed Kingdom as characterized by Him, fraught with righteousness at every turn, with nary a sign of wickedness (please do not miss out dear friend—we long to fellowship with you there-“A Letter of Invitation”). Praised be our Messiah-King Jesus. It is precisely for this reason that the good pleasure of Father God (in another sense that would be you and I Christian friend) rests in Messiah’s blessed hands—His character perfectly qualifies Him for the task of Redeeming unrighteous, wicked humankind (Jhn 16:8). O how He knows us “through and through.” Knows the inclination of our character, ever so misaligned with His; yea, knows too the Fix. Thus He brings humankind into eternal fellowship with Father God: “…Therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee, [with the] Oil of joy above thy companions…” Above thy companions; yes; so it must needs be; certainly. Let us let Him align us with God’s character (“Be Holy”). Praised be your Name Messiah-King Jesus. How good it is that we have you, anointed, willing.
Please see how Messiah (=Anointed One) is anointed, how pleasant it is. Close your eyes for a moment if you will, and imagine the fragrance of it, how like He—His character, His motivations, His wooing—it is a sweet, sweet fragrance (Sgs 1:3, 2Cr 2:14-16, Eph 5:2), fraught with His myriad pleasantries: “……Therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee, [with the] Oil of joy above thy companions. Myrrh, and aloes, cassia! All thy garments…” Myrrh, and aloes and cassia—a very pleasant mixture indeed. Pleasant like Messiah, His character, His motivations, His Salvation; yea, all His garments.
Importantly, the text straightaway shows Messiah in His palace; shows Him in heaven: “…Out of palaces of ivory Stringed instruments have made thee glad…” so that we may appreciate that the end of His anointing is designed to bring us into His presence precisely there (here is Salvation); that we not miss that. This seems to be corroborated by the fact that just next the text shows His Beloved by His side there: “…Daughters of kings are among thy precious ones, A queen hath stood at thy right hand, In pure gold of Ophir…” Thy precious ones, thy Queen—by thee in that pleasant palace made of ivory, harmonious, for thus is thy palace, harmonious, like unto stringed instruments that make glad the soul; like thee, Harmonious, makes glad the soul, even eternally. O my, is not His anointing an oil of gladness? Indeed, for all concerned; He is glad (Isa 53:11, Hbr 12:2), and we are glad (Psa 16:11). Amen, and amen. Praised be thy Name Messiah-King Jesus, we rejoice in thee.
45:10-17-In Gold-embroidered Attire of Many Colors She Is Led to Her King
YLT TEXT: Hearken [19], O daughter [20], and see [20a], incline thine ear, And forget [21] thy people, and thy father’s house, And the king doth desire thy beauty, Because he is thy lord — bow thyself to him, And the daughter of Tyre with a present, The rich of the people do appease [22] thy face [23]. All glory [24] is the daughter of the king within, Of gold-embroidered work is her clothing. In divers colours she is brought to the king, Virgins — after her — her companions [25], Are brought to thee. They are brought with joy and gladness, They come into the palace of the king. Instead of thy fathers are thy sons, Thou dost appoint [26] them for princes [27] in all the earth. I make mention of Thy name in all generations, Therefore do peoples praise Thee, To the age, and for ever! (Psa 45:10-17).
COMMENTARY-Forget. Forget thou Bride thy former loves (but forget thou not thy King); study thou thyself.
My thou art beautiful; whence thy beauty? Perceive (Psa 116:16, Isa 60:9). Thy King hath beautified thee, even inwardly, thy spirit; it is the work of His hands; thus He doth desire thee whole for Himself (for He loves righteousness [and hates wickedness]). Study thou thyself: “…Hearken, O daughter, and see, incline thine ear, And forget thy people, and thy father’s house, And the king doth desire thy beauty…” (Luk 14:26). Study thou thyself—hast thou forgotten Him; how He beautified thee? Pervertest thou thyself with another/s? Bow thyself thus not before another for the Lord God is thy Husband, Jealous ( Exd 20:3-5, 34:14, Deu 4:24, 6:14-15, 32:16-21): “…Because he is thy Lord – bow thyself to him…” Yea, He, thy Husband, even He, is Lord of all (Isa 54:5).
It is a sure signature of God’s hand when blessing spills over into more blessing, like a positive feedback loop (Psa 23:5). Thus has He blessed His beloved Bride: (1) She (like He) is beautified (it is inward beauty, that fades not; cf. 1Pe 3:3-4): “…All glory is the daughter of the king within…” (2) She is the entreaty of the unbeautified, the unwed; Jew and Gentile alike (Rev 3:9, Psa 45:12, “Isaiah Chapter Fifty-four Commentary”)—thus has He blessed her to be an efficacious priest of God (Rev 1:6); a blessed minister, testifying of her King (Isa 52:7, 60:3, Rom 10:14-15, 15:16): “…And the daughter of Tyre with a present, the rich of the people do appease thy face…”, (3) Of gold-embroidered work is her clothing—the manifestation of that beautiful and lovely spirit within is as works of gold. How can it be otherwise when the King beautifies His Beloved inwardly? “…Of gold-embroidered work is her clothing…” Gold-embroidered work is work of impeccable detail, rich in beauty.
And thus beautified, she is brought before her King (Rev 19:7; this is the work of Father God-Jhn 6:44), attired in a beautiful robe of many colors: “…In divers colors she is brought to the king…” She is a Bride of diverse ethnicities and races, for thus is the Christian Church, the all-inclusive Bride of Messiah Jesus the King (Rev 21:2, “Early Christendom: Removal from Jerusalem Brings Universality”). And with her are her bridesmaids, whom we understand to be the unsaved to whom she ministers per above: “…And the daughter of Tyre with a present, The rich of the people do appease thy face …”, compare: “…Virgins – after her – her companions, Are brought to thee…” Notice the demeanor of these companions—they are glad and joyous (hence their entreaty as said): “…They are brought with joy and gladness, They come into the palace of the King…”—thus are true “converts to be” when once “brought into” the presence of (exposed to) King Jesus (by His Spirit, and once-removed by His Bride through His Word).
The Bride and her companions are the heritage (sons and daughters) of the King, and He promises here to make them rulers under His Kingship: “…Instead of thy fathers are thy sons…””—(compare the NLT: “…your sons will become kings like their father…”) Thou dost appoint them for princes in all the earth…” (cf. Dan 7:18, Mat 19:28-29, 1Cr 6:2, Rev 1:6). And it is by this Heritage, beautified, His holy ones—by their various love songs in their generation—that Father God directs eternal praise to His Messiah and ours: “… I make mention of Thy name in all generations, Therefore do peoples praise Thee, To the age, and for ever!…”
A love song to thee my Lord. Praised be thy Name Messiah-King Jesus…