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A Royal Wedding Song[a]

45 Beautiful words fill my mind,
    as I compose this song for the king.
Like the pen of a good writer
    my tongue is ready with a poem.

You are the most handsome of men;
    you are an eloquent speaker.
    God has always blessed you.
Buckle on your sword, mighty king;
    you are glorious and majestic.

Ride on in majesty to victory
    for the defense of truth and justice![b]
    Your strength will win you great victories!
Your arrows are sharp,
    they pierce the hearts of your enemies;
    nations fall down at your feet.

(A)The kingdom that God has given you[c]
    will last forever and ever.
You rule over your people with justice;
    you love what is right and hate what is evil.
That is why God, your God, has chosen you
    and has poured out more happiness on you
    than on any other king.
The perfume of myrrh and aloes is on your clothes;
    musicians entertain you in palaces decorated with ivory.
Among the women of your court are daughters of kings,
    and at the right of your throne stands the queen,
    wearing ornaments of finest gold.

10 Bride of the king, listen to what I say—
    forget your people and your relatives.
11 Your beauty will make the king desire you;
    he is your master, so you must obey him.
12 The people of Tyre will bring you gifts;
    rich people will try to win your favor.

13 The princess is in the palace—how beautiful she is!
    Her gown is made of gold thread.
14 In her colorful gown she is led to the king,
    followed by her bridesmaids,
    and they also are brought to him.
15 With joy and gladness they come
    and enter the king's palace.

16 You, my king, will have many sons
    to succeed your ancestors as kings,
    and you will make them rulers over the whole earth.
17 My song will keep your fame alive forever,
    and everyone will praise you for all time to come.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 45:1 HEBREW TITLE: A poem by the clan of Korah; a love song.
  2. Psalm 45:4 Probable text and justice; Hebrew and meekness of justice.
  3. Psalm 45:6 The kingdom that God has given you; or Your kingdom, O God; or Your divine kingdom.

Psalm 45[a]

For the director of music. To the tune of “Lilies.” Of the Sons of Korah. A maskil.[b] A wedding song.(A)

My heart is stirred by a noble theme
    as I recite my verses for the king;
    my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer.

You are the most excellent of men
    and your lips have been anointed with grace,(B)
    since God has blessed you forever.(C)

Gird your sword(D) on your side, you mighty one;(E)
    clothe yourself with splendor and majesty.(F)
In your majesty ride forth victoriously(G)
    in the cause of truth, humility and justice;(H)
    let your right hand(I) achieve awesome deeds.(J)
Let your sharp arrows(K) pierce the hearts(L) of the king’s enemies;(M)
    let the nations fall beneath your feet.
Your throne, O God,[c] will last for ever and ever;(N)
    a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.
You love righteousness(O) and hate wickedness;(P)
    therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions
    by anointing(Q) you with the oil of joy.(R)
All your robes are fragrant(S) with myrrh(T) and aloes(U) and cassia;(V)
    from palaces adorned with ivory(W)
    the music of the strings(X) makes you glad.
Daughters of kings(Y) are among your honored women;
    at your right hand(Z) is the royal bride(AA) in gold of Ophir.(AB)

10 Listen, daughter,(AC) and pay careful attention:(AD)
    Forget your people(AE) and your father’s house.
11 Let the king be enthralled by your beauty;(AF)
    honor(AG) him, for he is your lord.(AH)
12 The city of Tyre(AI) will come with a gift,[d](AJ)
    people of wealth will seek your favor.
13 All glorious(AK) is the princess within her chamber;
    her gown is interwoven with gold.(AL)
14 In embroidered garments(AM) she is led to the king;(AN)
    her virgin companions(AO) follow her—
    those brought to be with her.
15 Led in with joy and gladness,(AP)
    they enter the palace of the king.

16 Your sons will take the place of your fathers;
    you will make them princes(AQ) throughout the land.

17 I will perpetuate your memory through all generations;(AR)
    therefore the nations will praise you(AS) for ever and ever.(AT)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 45:1 In Hebrew texts 45:1-17 is numbered 45:2-18.
  2. Psalm 45:1 Title: Probably a literary or musical term
  3. Psalm 45:6 Here the king is addressed as God’s representative.
  4. Psalm 45:12 Or A Tyrian robe is among the gifts