Psalm 45

A Summary Exposition

Psalm 45 is a song of the King, setting forth His person, His power, His throne, His bride, and His everlasting kingdom. The New Testament applies this psalm directly to the Son (Hebrews 1:8-9), establishing beyond dispute that its highest subject is Jesus Christ. What begins as a “good matter” (v.1) unfolds into a glorious view of Christ exalted, crowned, joined to His bride, increasing His kingdom, and praised for ever. It is at once royal, prophetic, nuptial, and deeply devotional.

The psalm opens with the King Himself. “Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips” (v.2). His beauty is not carnal appearance, for Isaiah says, “he hath no form nor comeliness” that natural men should desire Him (Isaiah 53:2). Rather, His beauty is in His holiness, wisdom, mercy, truth, and perfection. He is “holy, harmless, undefiled” (Hebrews 7:26), and His words are full of grace and truth (John 1:17). Men wondered at the gracious words that proceeded out of His mouth (Luke 4:22). Thus, the psalm first draws us to admire the excellence of Christ Himself.

From His beauty, the psalm moves to His power. “Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty” (v.3). The gracious King is also the conquering King. He goes forth not for vanity, greed, or cruel ambition, but “because of truth and meekness and righteousness” (v.4). His victories are righteous victories. His arrows are sharp and pierce the hearts of His enemies (v.5), bringing men either into willing submission or just judgment. No enemy can withstand Him, and no purpose of His can fail.

The center of the psalm is His throne and coronation. “Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever” (v.6). Here the King is openly addressed as God, and the apostle confirms these words are spoken of the Son (Hebrews 1:8). He is no earthly monarch, but the divine ruler whose kingdom has no end. His sceptre is a right sceptre, for all His government is upright, wise, and just.

Because He loves righteousness and hates wickedness, “God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows” (v.7). This points to His public exaltation after humiliation. Having finished His work in the flesh, He was received up into glory (1 Timothy 3:16) and openly manifested as the Anointed King. The Spirit was given unto Him without measure, and from His fullness He pours blessing upon His people (John 3:34; Acts 2:33). Thus, Psalm 45 presents the ascension and coronation of Jesus Christ in royal language.

From the throne, the psalm turns to His desirability as Bridegroom. His garments smell of myrrh, aloes, and cassia (v.8), showing the sweetness and acceptableness of His person and work. He is not only mighty enough to save, but lovely enough to be loved. The queen stands at His right hand in gold of Ophir (v.9), honored because she belongs to Him. Here grace shines brightly: those joined to Christ are brought near to the King Himself.

The bride is then called to hear, consider, and forsake all to belong unto Him (v.10). She must leave old loyalties, former claims, and every rival affection. This is the call of discipleship in marriage language. Christ will not take second place in the heart. Yet what He requires, He more than repays.

Then comes one of the most tender assurances in all the psalm: “So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty” (v.11). The Lord of glory desires His bride. Many fear they shall never be pleasing unto Him, but the Spirit speaks comfort beforehand. He does not merely tolerate His people; He delights in them. Yet the beauty He desires is the beauty He Himself creates. He loved the church and gave Himself for it, “that he might present it to himself a glorious church” (Ephesians 5:25-27). Therefore she is bound to worship Him, for He is her Lord.

The psalm then shows the honor of the bride among the nations. Even Tyre and the rich among the people seek her favor (v.12), not because she is the fountain of blessing, but because the King’s grace rests upon her. Her beauty is further described: “The king’s daughter is all glorious within” (v.13). She is inwardly adorned by grace and outwardly clothed by gift. She wears not her own righteousness, but garments bestowed by the King, “the robe of righteousness” (Isaiah 61:10).

This preparation leads to her presentation. “She shall be brought unto the king” (v.14). She comes not by her own strength, but by divine bringing. With her are companions, showing the fullness and joy of the gathered company. Then comes the joyful climax of the marriage ceremony: “With gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought: they shall enter into the king’s palace” (v.15). This is the final blessedness of the saints, received into His presence where joy is complete. “In thy presence is fulness of joy” (Psalm 16:11).

The psalm closes with the fruit and perpetuity of His kingdom. “Instead of thy fathers shall be thy children” (v.16). A new generation arises, not by natural descent only, but by divine calling, a seed that serves Him (Psalm 22:30). These are made princes in all the earth, sharing in His honor and reign, for He “hath made us kings and priests unto God” (Revelation 1:6).

Finally, His name is declared to endure for ever: “I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations” (v.17). This is fulfilled through Scripture and the preaching of Christ. “How shall they hear without a preacher?” (Romans 10:14). The Lord gave the word, and many published it (Psalm 68:11). As His name is made known, He is praised, and that praise shall never end. John heard those in heaven say, “Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power… be unto him… for ever and ever” (Revelation 5:13).

Psalm 45, therefore, presents a full view of Jesus Christ: the fair and gracious King, the conquering Lord, the divine ruler crowned in glory, the Bridegroom who desires His people, the One who prepares and receives them, and the King whose name shall be praised for ever. It calls men to hear Him, forsake all for Him, trust Him, and worship Him, for He is Lord.

It also gives deep comfort to the saints. They are not forgotten guests at the edge of the court, but the beloved bride of the King. They shall be beautified by His grace, brought near by His power, greatly desired by the King, and kept unto everlasting joy in His palace.

Therefore, let the heart be stirred with delight in such a King, let the tongue speak of His glory from generation to generation, and let the ear gladly receive the word that reveals Him. As the psalmist declares, “My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD” (Psalm 104:34), and John records His gracious promise, “I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely” (Revelation 21:6).