Psalms 45:0 ¶ To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim, for the sons of Korah, Maschil, A Song of loves.
I read several summaries of this introduction and thought the following one seemed to provide the best summation. New Bible Commentary: “Composed for an actual royal wedding and motivated by devotion to an earthly king, this psalm, like all royal psalms, runs beyond what any earthly king could be, to the longed–for Messiah in whom all the glories are true. Likewise it speaks tellingly to the Bride of Christ of her true position, beauty and dedication.”
The Hebrew for “Shoshannim” references lilies, and some commentators conclude that this may identify the tune to which it was to be sung.
Psalms 45:1 ¶ 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.
“inditing” = to keep moving, overflows
I liked the NLT version of this verse: “My heart overflows with a beautiful thought! I will recite a lovely poem to the king, for my tongue is like the pen of a skillful poet.”
Psalms 45:2 Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.
The psalmist describes the king as the most beautiful among men, and a man who speaks with charm and graciousness. It seems to be public knowledge that God has blessed this king forever.
Others draw different conclusions, but I believe this verse identifies David or possibly Solomon as the king. The following verse is a quote from David.
2 Samuel 7:29 “Therefore now let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it may continue for ever before thee: for thou, O Lord God, hast spoken it: and with thy blessing let the house of thy servant be blessed for ever.”
The people were aware that God had made an everlasting covenant with David. Solomon declared it as he prayed aloud before them when he dedicated the temple.
1 Kings 8:25 “Therefore now, LORD God of Israel, keep with thy servant David my father that thou promisedst him, saying, There shall not fail thee a man in my sight to sit on the throne of Israel; so that thy children take heed to their way, that they walk before me as thou hast walked before me.”
The evidence that both men were gifted in the area of verbal expression is revealed in their writings in the books of Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon.
Psalms 45:3 Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty.
Psalms 45:4 And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things.
Psalms 45:5 Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the king’s enemies; whereby the people fall under thee.
The psalmist here pictures the king as a mighty warrior dressed for battle in glory and majesty. He rides out as a victor who represents truth, meekness and righteousness; he fights for what is right for the honor of God and His people. As a warrior, he is feared by his enemies and held in awe by his people. His arrows strike effectively in the fight against his enemies.
These verses bring to mind the verses in Revelation that speak of the glorious and majestic return of Jesus to take the throne of David.
Revelation 19:11–16 “And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”
I liked this comment from the EBC Abridged: “The success of the king is due to his concern for what is important to the Lord and his covenant people—“truth, humility and righteousness.” His concern for “truth” keeps him loyal to God and to his people. His concern for “humility” keeps him continually dependent on his covenant. His concern for “righteousness” is demonstrated in his ordering the affairs of state to correspond with God’s plans. The kingdom of the son of David is an expression of the kingdom of God on earth.”
Psalms 45:6 ¶ Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.
Psalms 45:7 Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
The psalmist turns to praising God, identifying His scepter, the emblem of His fair and upright rule. His kingdom is one with the king’s kingdom. It is because the king loves righteousness and hates wickedness that God has anointed him and chosen him above his fellowman.
The writer of Hebrews quotes these words in reference to Jesus, obviously identifying Him as the promised Messiah descended from David in fulfillment of the promise God made to establish his throne forever.
Hebrews 1:8–9 “But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.”
Psalms 45:8 All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad.
Psalms 45:9 Kings’ daughters were among thy honourable women: upon thy right hand did stand the queen in gold of Ophir.
The translations differ a bit on these verses as represented below. Most commentators agree that the psalmist is describing the wedding ceremony and picturing the queen standing in the place of honor at the king’s right hand.
CJB: “Psalms 45:9–10 “Your robes are all fragrant with myrrh, aloes and cassia; from ivory palaces stringed instruments bring you joy. Daughters of kings are among your favorites; at your right stands the queen in gold from Ofir.”
NLT: “Your robes are perfumed with myrrh, aloes, and cassia. In palaces decorated with ivory, you are entertained by the music of harps. Kings’ daughters are among your concubines. At your right side stands the queen, wearing jewelry of finest gold from Ophir!”
“King’s daughters…women” – In my simple thinking, these would constitute the women chosen to constitute the queen’s “ladies in waiting” so to speak. Adam Clarke provided a good summary of thoughts by those more learned concerning this phrase. “Applied to Solomon, these words have no difficulty. We know he had seven hundred wives, princesses; and the mention of those here may be intended only to show how highly respected he was among the neighboring sovereigns, when they cheerfully gave him their daughters to constitute his harem. If we apply it to Solomon's marriage with the daughter of the king of Egypt, it may signify no more than the princesses and ladies of honor who accompanied her to the Israelitish court. Applied to Christ, it may signify that the Gospel, though preached particularly to the poor, became also the means of salvation to many of the kings, queens, and nobles, of the earth. The Chaldee interprets the queen standing at his right hand, by the law; and the honorable women, by the different regions and countries coming to receive that law from his right hand. Perhaps by kings' daughters may be meant different regions and countries, which are represented as constituting the families of potentates. Whole nations shall be converted to the Christian faith; and the queen - the Christian Church, shall be most elegantly adorned with all the graces and good works which at once constitute and adorn the Christian character.”
Psalms 45:10 ¶ Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy father’s house;
Psalms 45:11 So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for he is thy Lord; and worship thou him.
Psalms 45:12 And the daughter of Tyre shall be there with a gift; even the rich among the people shall intreat thy favour.
The psalmist turns his address to the queen. The phrase “forget also thine own people, and thy father’s house” indicates that she is a Gentile, a person from another nation. She is urged to focus her attention on pleasing her husband the king. He urges her to worship him, to honor and serve him. I think the daughter of Tyre, a land of great wealth, is singled out to represent those who will shower precious gifts upon the queen to court her good favor, thereby hoping to gain the king’s favor as well.
We could draw a parallel between the Gentile bride of the king with the primarily Gentile bride of Christ, the church. Just as urgently should the bride of Christ be encouraged to forget her worldly heritage to honor and serve Jesus.
Psalms 45:13 The king’s daughter is all glorious within: her clothing is of wrought gold.
Psalms 45:14 She shall be brought unto the king in raiment of needlework: the virgins her companions that follow her shall be brought unto thee.
Psalms 45:15 With gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought: they shall enter into the king’s palace.
The psalmist describes the king’s daughter, soon to become queen, as beautiful both inside and out. She is clothed in garments that are interwoven with gold. As she goes forth to meet the king, she is accompanied by the young maidens that attend her. The entourage enters the king’s palace with gladness and rejoicing.
This makes me think of how we, the body of believers that form the bride of Christ, will be taken to His heavenly home clothed in the finest garments of righteousness that He provided for us through His sacrifice for our sins to provide for our redemption. I am certain that occasion will be one of great rejoicing!
Psalms 45:16 Instead of thy fathers shall be thy children, whom thou mayest make princes in all the earth.
Psalms 45:17 I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations: therefore shall the people praise thee for ever and ever.
The psalmist closes with encouraging words to the queen about her future children, about sons that will become princes over many lands. I think the inference is that she will be remembered and praised because of her progeny.
Some commentators note that the psalmist is addressing the king at this point. The best reason for that assumption, I believe, is that it is the kings whose names are most remembered throughout history. One commentator pointed out that the pronouns used change to the masculine gender.
Psalms 46:0 ¶ To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth.
Another of the psalms for which the author remains unidentified. The Hebrew for “Alamoth” indicates that it designates the use of soprano voices. Many commentators note that this psalm was the inspiration behind Luther’s famous hymn, “A Mighty Fortress is Our God.”
Psalms 46:1 ¶ God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
The Hebrew for “refuge and strength” make reference to shelter and safety. Webster defines “shelter” as “that which covers or defends from injury or annoyance; a protection….”; “safety” is defined as “giving confidence, justifying trust, insuring against harm or loss, etc.” What an apt description of how God takes care of His own. We can be confident that our faith in Him is justified. He is ever-present to help us in time of trouble, anguish, distress or affliction (all from the Hebrew).
It should be noted that the LORD never promises that His people will not experience trouble or distress. In fact, scripture is clear in declaring that we will suffer in this world; but we will never suffer as His child without His provision to help us endure and with the knowledge that He will use it for good.
John 16:33 “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
Psalms 23:4 “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”
2 Corinthians 1:3–4 “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation,”
Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
Psalms 46:2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
Psalms 46:3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
“Therefore” – Because God is our refuge and strength and ever-present help.
Even though we may experience overwhelming natural disasters, we have no reason to fear. We can be confident that God will take care of us according to His will and His promise.
The psalm begins to take on a prophetic tone since this is a description of how things will be on earth preceding the establishment of Messiah’s Kingdom.
Luke 21:25–26 “And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.”
Revelation 6:12–14 “And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.”
“Selah” = stop for a moment and “exalt” or praise the LORD.
I liked Chuck Smith’s personal application of these verses: “You know if God is your refuge and your strength, you don’t need to fear. People can, you know, come around with all kinds of doomsday notions and prophecies, but it doesn’t stir me. It doesn’t worry me. Now, I wouldn’t blame God if He did shake California off into the Pacific, at least Hollywood and San Francisco. And I think He would be justified in doing so. But my trust is in God, always. Now, I don’t care where you go, you can’t really escape. You can’t really run from danger. Face it, living is dangerous. No matter where you are you are surrounded with danger, and you can’t really hide from danger. What you can have is the security of God, no matter what calamity or catastrophe may befall. Your life can be hid in Christ, in God, and thus secure. And if an earthquake comes and this whole place is leveled and I end up under the rubble of it all, the only thing that is going to end up under the rubble is this dumb old body. Me, I’ll be soaring. So, because God is my refuge and strength, I cannot fear.”
Psalms 46:4 There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.
Psalms 46:5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.
It seems that the psalmist is looking forward to the Messiah’s kingdom as he pens the rest of this psalm. I think the river being referenced here is the river flowing from the temple that will heal the Dead Sea in the millennium. Or maybe the river in the New Jerusalem that John referenced in Revelation; these passages seem to mirror each other. I’m sure that David, like most the other prophets, did not always understand the inspiration given him.
Revelation 22:1–3 “And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:”
I think the better choice from the Hebrew for “help” would be protect or support. The fact that God dwells in the midst of the city guarantees her security.
In the same way, the fact that God dwells in the believer in the person of the Holy Spirit guarantees our eternal security.
Ephesians 1:12–14 “That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.”
Psalms 46:6 ¶ The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.
Before Messiah, the promised Son of David, establishes His kingdom, the heathen will rage and kingdoms will fall in response to God’s declared judgments.
Jeremiah 51:19–20 “The portion of Jacob is not like them; for he is the former of all things: and Israel is the rod of his inheritance: the Lord of hosts is his name. Thou art my battle axe and weapons of war: for with thee will I break in pieces the nations, and with thee will I destroy kingdoms….”
Zephaniah 3:8 “Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the Lord, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy.”
Revelation 19:19-21 “And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.”
Psalms 46:7 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
The psalmist is confident that the LORD, the self-existent eternal God, the God of Israel, is with them as their defender and protector. All the hosts of heaven are at His command.
This also has prophetic application. During the tribulation, the last seven years before Jesus establishes His Kingdom, the 70th week of Daniel, God will provide a special place of protection for the Jewish people.
Revelation 12:6 “And the woman [Israel] fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.”
Note: See journal on Daniel 9 for more detail on 70 weeks prophecy and the journal on Revelation for further details on that chapter.
Psalms 46:8 Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth.
Psalms 46:9 He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.
When Messiah, the promised final king descended from David, establishes His kingdom, He will return to a planet devastated by the judgments executed in His wrath and vengeance as prophesied in scripture. He will establish His kingdom in peace; war will no longer be allowed because He will rule with righteousness and weapons of war will be destroyed.
Isaiah 13:9 “Behold, the day of the Lord cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.”
Isaiah 13:13 “Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the Lord of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger.”
Nahum 1:2 “God is jealous, and the Lord revengeth; the Lord revengeth, and is furious; the Lord will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies.”
Isaiah 9:6–7 “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever.”
Isaiah 2:2–4 “And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.”
Psalms 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
The psalmist basically urges us to take time to ponder about who God is—Creator, LORD, all powerful, all knowing, all seeing, etc. When Jesus establishes His kingdom, He will finally be exalted by all the nations on earth.
Isaiah 2:11 “The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day.”
Isaiah 12:4 “And in that day shall ye say, Praise the Lord, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted.”
Micah 4:1–2 “But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.”
Spurgeon: “If God is willing to wait, you need not be impatient. His time is the best time, and he will be exalted in due time.”
Wiersbe: “‘Be still’ literally means ‘Take your hands off! Relax!’…There is a time to obey God and act, but until then, we had better take our hands off and allow Him to work in His own time and His own way. If we seize His promises by faith with both hands, we won’t be able to meddle!”
Psalms 46:11 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
The psalmist closes by once again affirming that the LORD, the self-existent eternal God, the God of Israel, is “our” (in context, Israel, His covenant people; in application, all those who have placed their faith in Him) refuge, our source of defense and protection.