Psalms 45

Psalm 45

Ode for a Royal Wedding

1My heart overflows with a goodly theme;[#Ezra 7.6]

I address my verses to the king;

my tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe.

2You are the most handsome of men;[#Lk 4.22]

grace is poured upon your lips;

therefore God has blessed you forever.

3Gird your sword on your thigh, O mighty one,[#Isa 9.6]

in your glory and majesty.

4In your majesty ride on victoriously[#Rev 6.2]

for the cause of truth and to defend the right;

let your right hand teach you dread deeds.

5Your arrows are sharp

in the heart of the king’s enemies;

the peoples fall under you.

6Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever.[#Ps 93.2; 98.9; Heb 1.8, 9; #45.6 Or Your throne is a throne of God, it]

Your royal scepter is a scepter of equity;

7you love righteousness and hate wickedness.[#Ps 21.6; 33.5; 79.4; Isa 61.1]

Therefore God, your God, has anointed you

with the oil of gladness beyond your companions;

8your robes are all fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia.[#Song 1.3]

From ivory palaces stringed instruments make you glad;

9daughters of kings are among your ladies of honor;[#1 Kings 2.19; Song 6.8]

at your right hand stands the queen in gold of Ophir.

10Hear, O daughter, consider and incline your ear;[#Deut 21.13]

forget your people and your father’s house,

11and the king will desire your beauty.[#Ps 95.6; Isa 54.5]

Since he is your lord, bow to him;

12Daughter Tyre will seek your favor with gifts,[#Ps 22.29]

the richest of the people

13with all kinds of wealth.[#Isa 61.10]

The princess is decked in her chamber with gold-woven robes;

14in many-colored robes she is led to the king;[#v 9 ; Song 1.4]

behind her the virgins, her companions, follow.

15With joy and gladness they are led along

as they enter the palace of the king.

16In the place of ancestors you, O king, shall have sons;[#1 Pet 2.9; Rev 1.6; 20.6; #45.16 Heb lacks O king]

you will make them princes in all the earth.

17I will cause your name to be celebrated in all generations;[#Ps 138.4; Mal 1.11]

therefore the peoples will praise you forever and ever.

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition, copyright © 2021 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Published by: National Council of the Churches of Christ