Psalm 45 – A Noble Theme
The first line of psalm 45 speaks of a noble theme. What is this theme and what makes it noble? Let’s look at Psalm 45 – a noble theme, to find out.
Psalm 45 – The Groom
Another maskil by the sons of Korah, Psalm 45 is a wedding song. Other superscriptions refer to it as a love song. The psalm begins:
“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.” (1)
The writer praises the groom for he speaks with grace, tells the truth.
“You are the most excellent of men and your lips have been anointed with grace, since God has blessed you forever.” (2-3)
The groom is a champion of truth, humility and justice.
“In your majesty ride forth victoriously in the cause of truth, humility and justice; let your right hand achieve awesome deeds.” (4)
Because of this, God has rewarded the king, setting him above all others and anointing him with joy. In ancient times kings were accorded divine titles. So, either the king is the subject of verse 6, or the writer invokes God as a witness to the event.
“Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.
You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.” (6-7)
Psalm 45 – The Bride
The attention of the writer now shifts to the bride.
“Listen, daughter, and pay careful attention; Forget your people and your father’s house.” (10)
Her reward for forsaking all others and honoring her husband? She will receive gifts, and wears a beautiful gown interwoven with gold.
“The city of Tyre will come with a gift, people of wealth will seek your favor.
All glorious is the princess within her chamber; her gown is interwoven with gold.” (12-13)
The bride is also beautiful – “Let the king be enthralled by your beauty; honor him, for he is your lord.” (11)
With her husband, their sons will inherit and be princes of the land. Thus, preserving their memory through generations.
“Your sons will take the place of your fathers; you will make them princes throughout the land. I will perpetuate your memory through all generations; therefore the nations will praise you for ever and ever.” (16-17)
What Makes this a Noble Theme?
Why is Psalm 45 – a noble theme? Is it because it is about a royal wedding? Or because it is a love story? And if a love story, between who? There is little talk of the relationship between the prospective groom and bride. If anything, this is likely an arranged marriage for political purposes. The groom and bride are meeting on their wedding day. So much for the first date, first kiss, breaking up and making up, that make a good love story.
The poem appears to be written by a court poet who is effusive in his praise of the groom and his bride in a way that brings to mind fawning courtiers. However, he is tactful in mixing counsel and complement. There is no reason to doubt the sincerity of his praise.
The man is praised as the most excellent of men. Other translations say he is the fairest of men. What makes him so fair/excellent? His physical charm is matched by his speech. What makes him excellent is that his lips have been anointed with grace and he is a champion of truth, humility and justice. He loves righteousness and hates wickedness. He is a man of grace and integrity, a noble man. In this lies true beauty.
Beauty in the Eyes of the Beholder
You may be able to read a book by its cover, but not a person. Someone who is outwardly handsome, yet inwardly vain and full of lies, is ugly in my eyes. Whereas someone with a homely appearance who is upright, honest, and kind, is by for the more handsome of the two.
The groom is handsome inwardly. This is reflected in his outward appearance. He even smells good. “All your robes are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia.” (8)
He is also a man’s man, a warrior, leading his followers to victory.
Perhaps it is the noble character of the groom which makes Psalm 45 – a noble theme.
Psalm 45 – A Noble Theme
Later generations came to see this psalm as being about the messiah who would rule with nobility. Christians came to see Jesus as the groom and his bride the church. This is a noble theme, indeed.
That our God would humble himself and become a man, and then espouse the fallible church? Now that is a love story, one with a noble theme.
Psalm 45 – a noble theme is as simple as the story of a noble king, or a noble God. Yet it is a story that continues to inspire. We all love a love story. What greater love story than that of our God’s love for us?
(For another take on this Psalm, see Psalm 45: What’s Happening to Marriage? – Patricia M Robertson)
This post is part of a series of blog posts on the Psalms. Sign up to follow this blog and and receive a free copy of Still Dancing, the second book in my Dancing through Life Series. click here to sign up
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