The king’s daughter is all glorious within: her clothing is of wrought gold.
Having shown the honor of the bride among the nations (vv. 9-12), the psalm now turns to describe her beauty. The focus is upon the queen herself, prepared and adorned for the King. This continues the marriage setting of the psalm, showing the bride in her chamber, ready to be presented. The public honor previously described is now matched by private beauty. In the greater fulfillment, this speaks of the church as the bride of Christ, made fit for Him.
“The king’s daughter is all glorious within.” The king’s daughter speaks of dignity and relationship. She belongs to the King and is brought near to Him. That she is “all glorious within” first fits the literal scene of a royal bride within her chamber, prepared for presentation, surrounded with honor and beauty. The eye is directed inward, not to the crowd or court, but to the bride herself as she is made ready for union.
Yet the words also fittingly describe inward excellency. The beauty prized by the King is not outward appearance, but what is wrought within. As Peter teaches, “But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.” (1 Peter 3:4). Thus, the church is not only publicly honored, but inwardly renewed. Christ beautifies His people in soul as well as standing.
This glory is not of herself, but given to her. Christ has made His people acceptable before Him, “That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish” (Ephesians 5:27). He chose them “in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love” (Ephesians 1:4), and is able “to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy” (Jude 24). Thus, her glory is derived from Him, and she is made fit for His presence.
This should greatly encourage the believer. Many see only weakness, remaining corruption, and past shame when they look upon themselves. But Christ views His bride according to His work of grace and purpose of love. What He has begun, He will perfect. Therefore, the soul should learn to value what Christ values and seek that inward beauty which pleases Him.
“Her clothing is of wrought gold.” Her garments are of the finest material, carefully made and richly adorned. Gold speaks of value, purity, and glory. In the literal picture, these are royal wedding garments, skillfully fashioned and suited to the dignity of the occasion. Nothing common or careless is brought before the King.
This clothing represents what is given to her for her appearance before the King. As Isaiah declares, “he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness” (Isaiah 61:10). In the New Testament, this is described as being arrayed in fine linen, clean and white, “for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints” (Revelation 19:8). Her beauty is not natural, but bestowed, and her clothing is the provision of the King, making her suitable for Him.
That the gold is “wrought” shows careful workmanship. This is no rough covering hastily thrown upon her, but something skillfully prepared. So the salvation of Christ is wise, complete, and glorious in every part. God’s people are not barely rescued, but beautifully arrayed by divine wisdom and grace.
This verse sets forth the beauty of Christ’s bride as she is prepared and adorned by Him, made glorious within, and clothed in righteousness for His presence. Therefore, let the heart rejoice in what Christ makes His people to be, let the tongue speak of the grace that clothes the unworthy, and let the ear receive His word by which He prepares them for Himself. As Paul teaches, “That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word” (Ephesians 5:26), and our Lord says, “Take heed what ye hear” (Mark 4:24).
The king’s daughter is all glorious within: her clothing is of wrought gold.
Having shown the honor of the bride among the nations (vv. 9-12), the psalm now turns to describe her beauty. The focus is upon the queen herself, prepared and adorned for the King. This continues the marriage setting of the psalm, showing the bride in her chamber, ready to be presented. The public honor previously described is now matched by private beauty. In the greater fulfillment, this speaks of the church as the bride of Christ, made fit for Him.
“The king’s daughter is all glorious within.” The king’s daughter speaks of dignity and relationship. She belongs to the King and is brought near to Him. That she is “all glorious within” first fits the literal scene of a royal bride within her chamber, prepared for presentation, surrounded with honor and beauty. The eye is directed inward, not to the crowd or court, but to the bride herself as she is made ready for union.
Yet the words also fittingly describe inward excellency. The beauty prized by the King is not outward appearance, but what is wrought within. As Peter teaches, “But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.” (1 Peter 3:4). Thus, the church is not only publicly honored, but inwardly renewed. Christ beautifies His people in soul as well as standing.
This glory is not of herself, but given to her. Christ has made His people acceptable before Him, “That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish” (Ephesians 5:27). He chose them “in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love” (Ephesians 1:4), and is able “to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy” (Jude 24). Thus, her glory is derived from Him, and she is made fit for His presence.
This should greatly encourage the believer. Many see only weakness, remaining corruption, and past shame when they look upon themselves. But Christ views His bride according to His work of grace and purpose of love. What He has begun, He will perfect. Therefore, the soul should learn to value what Christ values and seek that inward beauty which pleases Him.
“Her clothing is of wrought gold.” Her garments are of the finest material, carefully made and richly adorned. Gold speaks of value, purity, and glory. In the literal picture, these are royal wedding garments, skillfully fashioned and suited to the dignity of the occasion. Nothing common or careless is brought before the King.
This clothing represents what is given to her for her appearance before the King. As Isaiah declares, “he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness” (Isaiah 61:10). In the New Testament, this is described as being arrayed in fine linen, clean and white, “for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints” (Revelation 19:8). Her beauty is not natural, but bestowed, and her clothing is the provision of the King, making her suitable for Him.
That the gold is “wrought” shows careful workmanship. This is no rough covering hastily thrown upon her, but something skillfully prepared. So the salvation of Christ is wise, complete, and glorious in every part. God’s people are not barely rescued, but beautifully arrayed by divine wisdom and grace.
This verse sets forth the beauty of Christ’s bride as she is prepared and adorned by Him, made glorious within, and clothed in righteousness for His presence. Therefore, let the heart rejoice in what Christ makes His people to be, let the tongue speak of the grace that clothes the unworthy, and let the ear receive His word by which He prepares them for Himself. As Paul teaches, “That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word” (Ephesians 5:26), and our Lord says, “Take heed what ye hear” (Mark 4:24).