Today's Featured Psalm
Psalm 45

Read this Psalm

To the choirmaster: according to Lilies. A Maskil of the Sons of Korah; a love song.

1 My heart overflows with a pleasing theme;
   I address my verses to the king;
   my tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe.

2 You are the most handsome of the sons of men;
   grace is poured upon your lips;
   therefore God has blessed you forever.
3 Gird your sword on your thigh, O mighty one,
   in your splendor and majesty!

4 In your majesty ride out victoriously
   for the cause of truth and meekness and righteousness;
   let your right hand teach you awesome deeds!
5 Your arrows are sharp
   in the heart of the king’s enemies;
   the peoples fall under you.

6 Your throne, O God, is forever and ever.
   The scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of uprightness;
   7 you have loved righteousness and hated wickedness.
Therefore God, your God, has anointed you
   with the oil of gladness beyond your companions;
   8 your robes are all fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia.
From ivory palaces stringed instruments make you glad;
   9 daughters of kings are among your ladies of honor;
   at your right hand stands the queen in gold of Ophir.

10 Hear, O daughter, and consider, and incline your ear:
   forget your people and your father’s house,
   11 and the king will desire your beauty.
Since he is your lord, bow to him.
   12 The people of Tyre will seek your favor with gifts,
   the richest of the people.

13 All glorious is the princess in her chamber, with robes interwoven with gold.
   14 In many-colored robes she is led to the king,
   with her virgin companions following behind her.
15 With joy and gladness they are led along
   as they enter the palace of the king.

16 In place of your fathers shall be your sons;
   you will make them princes in all the earth.
17 I will cause your name to be remembered in all generations;
   therefore nations will praise you forever and ever.

Scripture taken from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Psalm Devotional
A Royal Wedding

Weddings are wonderful occasions. In a culture that is averse to ceremony, weddings provide a welcome dose of pomp and glamor. The bride wears a beautiful and utterly impractical dress. The church is filled with candles, flowers and inspiring music. There is a regal feel to the entire event.

Our experiences of weddings will assist us in interpreting Psalm 45. As you read Psalm 45, you are entering into the palace of the king on his wedding day.

In the first verse we are given a glimpse into the heart of the psalmist. The psalmist notes that his heart is “stirred” by what he sees and records. What stirs his heart? It is stirred by the glory of the king, the beauty of the bride, and the majesty of the wedding.

First, he is stirred by the glory of the king (vv. 1-4). The king is the “most excellent of men,” his “lips have been anointed with grace,” and he is “blessed” by God (v. 2). The king is a glorious warrior adorned in full military dress (v. 3). His glory is not only found in his victory in battle, but also in the fact that he fights on behalf of “truth, humility and righteousness” (v. 4).

Listen to this Psalm

Messiah album art My Heart Is Stirred (Psalm 45A)
The Book of Psalms for Worship | Messiah
King of Kings album art My Heart Is Greatly Stirred (Psalm 45B)
The Book of Psalms for Worship | King of Kings
King of Kings album art Daughter, Incline Your Ear (Psalm 45C)
The Book of Psalms for Worship | King of Kings
Power of Praise album art O Daughter, Hear and Heed (Psalm 45C)
The Book of Psalms for Singing | Power of Praise