Sons of Korah
Psalm 45
To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim, for the sons of Korah, Maschil, A Song of loves.
Scripture (KJV)
1My 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.
2Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.
3Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty.
4And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things.
5Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the king’s enemies; whereby the people fall under thee.
6Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.
7Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
8All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad.
9Kings’ daughters were among thy honourable women: upon thy right hand did stand the queen in gold of Ophir.
10Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy father’s house;
11So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for he is thy Lord; and worship thou him.
12And the daughter of Tyre shall be there with a gift; even the rich among the people shall intreat thy favour.
13The king’s daughter is all glorious within: her clothing is of wrought gold.
14She shall be brought unto the king in raiment of needlework: the virgins her companions that follow her shall be brought unto thee.
15With gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought: they shall enter into the king’s palace.
16Instead of thy fathers shall be thy children, whom thou mayest make princes in all the earth.
17I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations: therefore shall the people praise thee for ever and ever.
Summary
Psalm 45 is a royal wedding song, often read as a Messianic psalm. The sons of Korah sing of a king who is fairer than the children of men, with grace poured into his lips, whose throne is "for ever and ever" and whose scepter is a right scepter. Verses 6–7 are applied to Christ in Hebrews 1, where God addresses the Son as God whose throne endures forever. The king loves righteousness and hates wickedness and is anointed with the oil of gladness above his fellows. The second half addresses the bride, calling her to forget her father’s house, to worship the king as her Lord, and to enter his palace with gladness. The psalm closes with a promise that the king’s name will be remembered in all generations and the people will praise him forever.
The major themes are kingship, beauty, righteousness, covenant love, and eternal praise. Practically, the psalm invites us to behold the beauty of the Messianic King and to respond as a devoted bride. The great lesson is that the throne of the righteous King endures forever.
Key Themes
A Prayer from Psalm 45
O King eternal, Your throne is for ever and ever; the scepter of Your kingdom is a right scepter. You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God has anointed You with the oil of gladness above Your fellows. Grace is poured into Your lips; You are fairer than the children of men. Help me to hearken, consider, and incline my ear, to forget my own people and my father’s house, and to worship You as my Lord. Make me glorious within, clothed with the righteousness of Christ, and bring me with gladness and rejoicing into Your palace. Make Your name to be remembered in all generations, and let Your people praise You for ever and ever. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Reflection Questions
- 1How does Hebrews 1 shape my understanding of verses 6–7?
- 2What does it mean for the King’s throne to endure "for ever and ever"?
- 3How does the call to the bride in verses 10–11 apply to my relationship with Christ?
- 4How can I make the King’s name remembered in my generation?
Related Psalms
Psalm 2
“Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?”
The nations rage against the Lord and His Anointed, but God establishes His King on Zion.
Read morePsalm 72
“Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king’s son.”
A prayer for the king’s righteous reign and flourishing of all, ending doxology of Book II.
Read morePsalm 110
“The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.”
Psalm 110 is the most quoted Old Testament text in the New Testament, a brief but towering oracle of the Messiah’s kingship and priesthood.
Read morePsalm 89
“I will sing of the mercies of the Lord for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.”
A meditation on God’s covenant with David and a lament over the king’s fall.
Read morePsalm 21
“The king shall joy in thy strength, O Lord; and in thy salvation how greatly shall he rejoice!”
Thanksgiving for the king’s victories and a trust in God’s steadfast love.
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