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To the Director: An instruction[a] by the Sons of Korah. A love song to the tune of[b] “Lilies”.

A Royal Wedding Song

45 My heart is overflowing with good news;
    I speak what I have composed to the king;
        my tongue is like the pen of an articulate scribe.

You are the most handsome of Adam’s descendants;
    grace has anointed your lips;
        therefore God has blessed you forever.
Strap your sword to your side,
    mighty warrior, along with your honor and majesty.
In your majesty ride forth for the cause of truth, humility, and righteousness;
    and your strong right hand will teach you awesome things.
Your arrows are sharpened
    to penetrate the hearts of the king’s enemies.
        People will fall under you.

Your throne, God, exists forever and ever,
    and the scepter of your kingdom is a righteous scepter.
You love justice and hate wickedness.
    That is why God, even your God, has anointed you
        rather than your companions with the oil of gladness.
All your clothes are scented with[c] myrrh, aloes, and cassia.
    From ivory palaces stringed instruments have made you glad.
The king’s daughters are among your honorable women;
    the queen, dressed in gold from Ophir, has taken her place at your right hand.”

10 Listen, daughter! Consider and pay attention.
    Forget your people and your father’s house,
11 and the king will greatly desire your beauty.
    Because he is your lord, you should bow in respect before him.
12 The daughter[d] of Tyre will come with[e] a wedding gift;
    wealthy people will entreat your favor.
13 In her chamber,[f] the king’s daughter is glorious;
    her clothing is embroidered with gold thread.
14 In embroidered garments
    she is presented to the king.
Her virgin companions who follow her train
    will be presented to you.
15 Filled with joy and gladness, they are presented
    when they enter the king’s palace.

16 Your sons will take the place of your ancestors,
    and you will set them up as princes in all the earth.
17 From generation to generation,
    I will cause your name to be remembered.
        Therefore people will thank you forever and ever.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 45:1 Lit. maskil
  2. Psalm 45:1 The Heb. lacks the tune of
  3. Psalm 45:8 The Heb. lacks are scented with
  4. Psalm 45:12 I.e. The people
  5. Psalm 45:12 The Heb. lacks will come with
  6. Psalm 45:13 The Heb. lacks her chamber

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