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A Song for the King’s Wedding

For the director of music. To the tune of “Lilies.” A ·maskil [skillful psalm; meditation]. A love song of the sons of Korah [C descendants of Kohath, son of Levi, who served as Temple musicians; 1 Chr. 6:22].

45 ·Beautiful words fill my mind [L My heart is stirred with a good word].
    I ·am speaking of royal things [or address my work to the king].
    My tongue is like the pen of a skilled writer [Ezra 7:6].

You are more ·handsome [or excellent] than anyone,
    and ·you are an excellent speaker [L grace flows from your lips; Prov. 22:11],
    so God has blessed you forever.
Put on your sword ·at your side [L on your thigh], powerful warrior.
    Show your ·glory [splendor] and majesty.
In your majesty ·win [L ride forth for] the victory
    for what is ·true [faithful] and ·right [righteous].
    Your ·power [L right hand] ·will do [L teaches you] amazing things.
Your sharp arrows will ·enter [pierce]
    the hearts of the king’s enemies.
    ·Nations [Peoples] will ·be defeated before [L fall beneath] you.
·God, your throne will last [or Your throne is a throne of God] forever and ever.
    ·You will rule your kingdom with fairness [L A scepter of virtue will be the scepter of your kingdom].
You love ·right [righteousness] and hate ·evil [wickedness],
    so God has ·chosen [anointed] you from among your ·friends [companions];
    ·he has set you apart with much joy [L …with the oil of joy; C kings were anointed with oil at their coronation; 1 Sam. 10:1; 16:13; Heb. 1:8–9].
Your clothes smell like myrrh, aloes, and cassia.
    From palaces of ivory
    ·music [stringed instruments] comes to make you happy.
Kings’ daughters are among your honored women.
    Your ·bride [queen; consort] stands at your right side
wearing gold from Ophir [C perhaps a region in southern Arabia].

10 Listen to me, daughter; look and ·pay attention [L incline your ear].
    Forget your people and your father’s ·family [L house; Gen. 2:24].
11 The king ·loves [L desires; longs for] your beauty.
    Because he is your ·master [lord], you should ·obey [L bow yourself before] him.
12 ·People from the city [L The daughter] of Tyre have brought ·a gift [tribute].
    Wealthy people ·will want to meet you [seek your favor].

13 The ·princess [L daughter of the king] is ·very beautiful [L all glorious within].
    Her gown is woven with gold.
14 In her ·beautiful [embroidered] clothes she is brought to the king.
    ·Her bridesmaids [Virgins] follow behind her,
    and ·they are also brought to him [L her friends follow].
15 They come with happiness and joy;
    they enter the king’s palace.

16 You will have sons to replace your fathers [C addressed to the king].
    You will make them ·rulers [princes] through all the land.
17 I will make your name famous from now on,
    so people will praise you forever and ever.

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