Daily Devotional Sunday 30th January 2022

by William Moody

Psalm 45

Your Throne, O God, Is Forever

To the choirmaster: according to Lilies. A Maskil1 of the Sons of Korah; a love song.

45:1   My heart overflows with a pleasing theme;
    I address my verses to the king;
    my tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe.
  You are the most handsome of the sons of men;
    grace is poured upon your lips;
    therefore God has blessed you forever.
  Gird your sword on your thigh, O mighty one,
    in your splendor and majesty!
  In your majesty ride out victoriously
    for the cause of truth and meekness and righteousness;
    let your right hand teach you awesome deeds!
  Your arrows are sharp
    in the heart of the king’s enemies;
    the peoples fall under you.
  Your throne, O God, is forever and ever.
    The scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of uprightness;
    you have loved righteousness and hated wickedness.
  Therefore God, your God, has anointed you
    with the oil of gladness beyond your companions;
    your robes are all fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia.
  From ivory palaces stringed instruments make you glad;
    daughters of kings are among your ladies of honor;
    at your right hand stands the queen in gold of Ophir.
10   Hear, O daughter, and consider, and incline your ear:
    forget your people and your father’s house,
11     and the king will desire your beauty.
  Since he is your lord, bow to him.
12     The people2 of Tyre will seek your favor with gifts,
    the richest of the people.3
13   All glorious is the princess in her chamber, with robes interwoven with gold.
14     In many-colored robes she is led to the king,
    with her virgin companions following behind her.
15   With joy and gladness they are led along
    as they enter the palace of the king.
16   In place of your fathers shall be your sons;
    you will make them princes in all the earth.
17   I will cause your name to be remembered in all generations;
    therefore nations will praise you forever and ever.

Footnotes

[1] 45:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term
[2] 45:12 Hebrew daughter
[3] 45:12 Or The daughter of Tyre is here with gifts, the richest of people seek your favor

(ESV)

This Psalm is a wedding song for the marriage of one of the kings of Israel. It is also quoted in Hebrews 1 v8-9 as referring to Jesus.

The king is commended for his handsome looks and lips of grace (v2). He is called to gird his sword and to ride out in victory over his enemies (v3-5). His throne will be everlasting and he will rule with righteousness (v6-7). As a result of his righteousness God will anoint him with gladness (v7). Next the king’s robes and palaces speak of his wonderful splendour and majesty (v8).

The queen and her attendants are called to respond to the king and give him the honour he deserves (v9-15). The result will be sons (v16) and an honoured name that will not be forgotten (v17).

Jesus came to Bethlehem in humility but now we need to see that He is this king of glory who reigns on His throne forever and all His enemies will be put under His feet. His offspring of those who trust in Him will be multitudes and His Name will be honoured forever. This is the king to rejoice over.

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®),
copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.