Day 587: What stirs your heart? - Psalm 45 vs 1 – 9
For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A maskil. A wedding song.
1-2 My heart overflows with a pleasing theme; I address my verses to the king; my tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe. You are the most handsome of the sons of men; grace is poured upon your lips; therefore God has blessed you for ever. 3-5 Gird your sword on your thigh, O mighty one, in your splendour and majesty! In your majesty ride out victoriously for the cause of truth and meekness and righteousness; let your right hand teach you awesome deeds! Your arrows are sharp in the heart of the king's enemies; the peoples fall under you.
6-7 Your throne, O God, is for ever and ever. The sceptre of your kingdom is a sceptre of uprightness; you have loved righteousness and hated wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions. 8-9 Your robes are all fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia. From ivory palaces stringed instruments make you glad; daughters of kings are among your ladies of honour; at your right hand stands the queen in gold of Ophir. Psalm 45:1-9 (English Standard Version)
Another translation puts vs 1 as saying 'my heart is stirred within me'. Today we'd say 'I'm so excited!' The writer’s heart overflowed with joy as he gazed at the wonderful King God gave to Israel. Vs 9 implies it was the King's wedding day. While it describes an actual royal wedding which took place some 3000 years ago, Christians believe it's also a picture of Christ Jesus and the Church (which is sometimes called His bride). What does the writer say about the King in vs 2?
Like Solomon, this King was blessed by God with great wisdom. That's true of Jesus too. As He went about the land teaching about God's Kingdom we read that “all the people spoke well of him, and were amazed by the gracious words that came from his lips.” (Luke 4:22) What was it in vs 3-5 that stirred the writer’s heart about the King?
That sounds warlike, but the emphasis is more on what the King wanted to do in the land. His cause was truth, humility and righteousness. Revelation 19:11 tells us of a ruler from God who is called “Faithful and True”, and who rides out “in righteousness to judge and make war.” This Psalm mentions the King's sword. The writer of Hebrews says of a sword that King Jesus uses in His cause that: “God's word is alive and powerful, and sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable.” (Hebrews 4:12-13) The power of God’s word through the gospel leads to humility and righteousness. What was it in vs 6-7 about the King and his kingdom that excited the writer's heart?
He saw the King as representing God Himself - a God who loves righteousness and hates wickedness. Therefore his Kingdom would be eternal. Hebrews 1:7-9 applies these words to Jesus Christ and says: “Regarding the angels, God says: 'He sends his angels like the winds, his servants like flames of fire.' But to the Son, God says: 'Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever. You rule with a sceptre of justice, you love justice and hate evil. Therefore, O God, your God has anointed you, pouring out the oil of joy on you more than on anyone else.'”
Verses 8-9 show the preparations and fragrances that went with such a royal wedding day and introduce the bride. She'll be described in vs 10-17 which I'll focus on in the next study. But concerning the King, the apostle Peter said to Christians going through harsh trials that: “The trials you’re going through show that your faith is genuine. And when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honour on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.” Then he adds: “You love Him - even though you've never seen Him. And though you don't see Him now - you trust Him, and rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy.” (1 Peter 1:7-8) So, despite hardships and trials, Christians are excited when they think of Jesus! Their hearts overflow with joy and they long to tell others of Him. Is that true of us today?