Psalms 45

King James Version

Full text for Psalms Chapter 45

1¶ To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim, for the sons of Korah, Maschil, A Song of loves. My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue [is] the pen of a ready writer.

2Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.

3Gird thy sword upon [thy] thigh, O [most] mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty.

4And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness [and] righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things.

5Thine arrows [are] sharp in the heart of the king's enemies; [whereby] the people fall under thee.

6¶ Thy throne, O God, [is] for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom [is] a right sceptre.

7Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

8All thy garments [smell] of myrrh, and aloes, [and] cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad.

9Kings' daughters [were] among thy honourable women: upon thy right hand did stand the queen in gold of Ophir.

10¶ Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy father's house;

11So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for he [is] thy Lord; and worship thou him.

12And the daughter of Tyre [shall be there] with a gift; [even] the rich among the people shall intreat thy favour.

13The king's daughter [is] all glorious within: her clothing [is] of wrought gold.

14She shall be brought unto the king in raiment of needlework: the virgins her companions that follow her shall be brought unto thee.

15With gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought: they shall enter into the king's palace.

16Instead of thy fathers shall be thy children, whom thou mayest make princes in all the earth.

17I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations: therefore shall the people praise thee for ever and ever.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Psalm 45 is a royal psalm celebrating a king, praising his beauty, might, and righteous rule, and proclaiming his eternal, divinely appointed throne. It also describes the queen's splendor and her entry into the palace, concluding with a promise of lasting fame for the king. This "Song of loves" anticipates a perpetual legacy through his descendants.

Medium Summary

This psalm, titled "A Song of loves," begins with the psalmist's heart overflowing with praise for the king, whose eloquence is like a ready writer's pen. The king is depicted as exceptionally fair, blessed by God, and a mighty warrior who rides prosperously for truth, meekness, and righteousness, subduing enemies with sharp arrows. His throne is declared to be eternal and righteous, and he is anointed by God with gladness for loving righteousness and hating wickedness. The psalm then shifts focus to the queen, adorned in gold, who is exhorted to forget her former people and worship the king as her lord. She is brought to the king in glorious raiment, accompanied by her virgin companions, amidst joy and rejoicing. The psalm concludes by prophesying that the king's children will become princes globally, ensuring his name is remembered and praised through all generations.

Long Summary

Psalm 45, designated "A Song of loves" and a Maschil for the sons of Korah, commences with the psalmist expressing a heart full of good matter, ready to speak concerning the king with the skill of a ready writer. The king is immediately lauded for his unparalleled fairness among men and for the grace poured into his lips, signifying God's eternal blessing upon him. He is portrayed as a mighty warrior, urged to gird his sword and ride forth in majesty, not merely for conquest, but specifically for the sake of truth, meekness, and righteousness, with his right hand teaching him terrible things against foes. His arrows are sharp, causing people to fall under his dominion. A pivotal declaration follows, proclaiming the king's throne as "O God," enduring forever and ever, with a scepter of righteousness. This divinely appointed ruler loves righteousness and hates wickedness, leading to his anointing by God with the oil of gladness above his peers. His garments are described as fragrant with myrrh, aloes, and cassia, emanating from ivory palaces that bring him joy. The psalm then introduces the royal bride, with kings' daughters serving among the king's honorable women, and the queen herself standing at his right hand, adorned in gold of Ophir. She is directly addressed, exhorted to hearken, consider, and forget her own people and father's house, so that the king may greatly desire her beauty, for he is her Lord whom she should worship. The daughter of Tyre and the rich among the people are depicted bringing gifts and entreating her favour. The king's daughter is described as glorious within, her clothing of wrought gold and needlework, brought to the king with her virgin companions in gladness and rejoicing into the royal palace. The psalm concludes with a prophetic promise that the king's children will succeed his fathers, becoming princes throughout all the earth, ensuring his name is remembered and praised for ever and ever across all generations.

Core Concepts

  • Divine KingshipThe psalm explicitly addresses the king as "O God" and states his throne is "for ever and ever," indicating a divinely ordained and perpetual rule, distinct from typical human kingship.
  • Righteous RuleThe king is depicted as one who loves righteousness and hates wickedness, riding forth in majesty for "truth and meekness and righteousness," emphasizing the moral foundation of his reign.
  • Royal WeddingA significant portion of the psalm describes the queen's splendor, her procession, and her exhortation to join the king, strongly suggesting the context of a royal marriage.
  • Anointing with GladnessThe king is said to be anointed by God with the "oil of gladness," signifying divine favor, blessing, and joy bestowed upon him due to his righteous character.
  • Perpetual LegacyThe psalm concludes with the promise that the king's name will be remembered and praised in all generations, and his children will become princes throughout the earth, ensuring an enduring dynasty.
  • Queen's AllegianceThe queen is exhorted to "forget also thine own people, and thy father's house" and to "worship" the king as her "Lord," signifying a complete transfer of loyalty and devotion to her new royal household.
  • Warrior KingThe king is portrayed as "most mighty," girded with a sword, whose "arrows are sharp in the heart of the king's enemies," demonstrating his power and ability to subdue opposition.