Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.
Psalm 45 continues the description of the King introduced in verse 1, now setting forth His excellence in person, speech, and blessing. This King is not only greater than other men, but altogether above them, as the Son whose throne is for ever and ever (Hebrews 1:8-9; vv.6-7; Isaiah 9:6-7). The verse unfolds His beauty, His words, and the favor of God resting upon Him.
“Thou art fairer than the children of men.” This fairness is not outward appearance, but the excellence of His person. Men see no beauty in Him according to the flesh, for “he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him” (Isaiah 53:2). Yet in truth He is infinitely superior to Solomon, described as “his countenance is as Lebanon, excellent as the cedars… he is altogether lovely” (Song of Solomon 5:15-16). His fairness is seen in His holiness, wisdom, righteousness, and love. Unlike all other men, He is without sin, “holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners” (Hebrews 7:26). Therefore, He surpasses all the children of men in every perfection.
His beauty is especially seen in the perfection of His character. Where all other men are mixed with sin and corruption, He alone is pure in every thought, word, and deed. As it is written, “Which of you convinceth me of sin?” (John 8:46), and again, He “did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth” (1 Peter 2:22). In Him there is no defect, no imbalance, no failure. His righteousness is complete, His wisdom perfect, and His love without hypocrisy. Thus, His fairness is not partial, but entire, making Him altogether above all the children of men.
His beauty is also seen in the harmony of His attributes. In Him, righteousness and mercy meet without conflict. He is both just and the justifier (Romans 3:26), both the Lion and the Lamb (Revelation 5:5-6). He speaks with authority yet receives sinners with compassion: “A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench” (Isaiah 42:3). No other man has ever held such fullness without contradiction. This perfect balance reveals a glory that is not found in any creature, but only in the Son of God.
His beauty shines most brightly in His work for sinners. Though men saw no beauty in Him according to the flesh, yet in truth His glory is most clearly revealed in His suffering and sacrifice. Though He was rich, yet He became poor (2 Corinthians 8:9). Though He was Lord, He took upon Him the form of a servant (Philippians 2:7). He gave Himself for His people individually (Galatians 2:20). In this, His fairness is seen not only in what He is, but in what He has done. The cross, though despised by men, reveals the deepest beauty of Christ, for there His love, obedience, and sacrifice are most fully displayed. Therefore, He is not only fair in Himself, but desirable to those who know Him.
“Grace is poured into thy lips.” His speech is marked by grace, truth, and authority. Grace here is favor expressed in words that give life, comfort, and instruction. When He spoke, men “wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth” (Luke 4:22). Jesus’ words reveal both the kindness and the truth of God, for “the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ” (John 1:17). This grace is said to be “poured,” showing abundance and fullness, not measure. He speaks as no other, for “never man spake like this man” (John 7:46). His words bring life, for “the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63).
“Therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.” Because of who He is and how He speaks and rules, God has set His blessing upon Him formally without end. This blessing is not the beginning of His worth, but the public declaration and establishment of it. As the Word of God, He is eternally blessed, yet in His mediatorial office He is appointed and exalted: “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name” (Philippians 2:9). His kingdom is everlasting, and His favor before God is unchanging, for “this is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). The blessing upon Him secures blessing for His people, for “of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace” (John 1:16).
This verse sets forth the excellence of Christ in His person and in His words, and the everlasting blessing of God upon Him as King. Therefore the heart should be drawn to delight in Him who is altogether lovely, the tongue ready to speak of His gracious words, and the ear inclined to receive what He has spoken. As it is written, “My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD” (Psalm 104:34), and again, “Take heed what ye hear” (Mark 4:24).
Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.
Psalm 45 continues the description of the King introduced in verse 1, now setting forth His excellence in person, speech, and blessing. This King is not only greater than other men, but altogether above them, as the Son whose throne is for ever and ever (Hebrews 1:8-9; vv.6-7; Isaiah 9:6-7). The verse unfolds His beauty, His words, and the favor of God resting upon Him.
“Thou art fairer than the children of men.” This fairness is not outward appearance, but the excellence of His person. Men see no beauty in Him according to the flesh, for “he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him” (Isaiah 53:2). Yet in truth He is infinitely superior to Solomon, described as “his countenance is as Lebanon, excellent as the cedars… he is altogether lovely” (Song of Solomon 5:15-16). His fairness is seen in His holiness, wisdom, righteousness, and love. Unlike all other men, He is without sin, “holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners” (Hebrews 7:26). Therefore, He surpasses all the children of men in every perfection.
His beauty is especially seen in the perfection of His character. Where all other men are mixed with sin and corruption, He alone is pure in every thought, word, and deed. As it is written, “Which of you convinceth me of sin?” (John 8:46), and again, He “did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth” (1 Peter 2:22). In Him there is no defect, no imbalance, no failure. His righteousness is complete, His wisdom perfect, and His love without hypocrisy. Thus, His fairness is not partial, but entire, making Him altogether above all the children of men.
His beauty is also seen in the harmony of His attributes. In Him, righteousness and mercy meet without conflict. He is both just and the justifier (Romans 3:26), both the Lion and the Lamb (Revelation 5:5-6). He speaks with authority yet receives sinners with compassion: “A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench” (Isaiah 42:3). No other man has ever held such fullness without contradiction. This perfect balance reveals a glory that is not found in any creature, but only in the Son of God.
His beauty shines most brightly in His work for sinners. Though men saw no beauty in Him according to the flesh, yet in truth His glory is most clearly revealed in His suffering and sacrifice. Though He was rich, yet He became poor (2 Corinthians 8:9). Though He was Lord, He took upon Him the form of a servant (Philippians 2:7). He gave Himself for His people individually (Galatians 2:20). In this, His fairness is seen not only in what He is, but in what He has done. The cross, though despised by men, reveals the deepest beauty of Christ, for there His love, obedience, and sacrifice are most fully displayed. Therefore, He is not only fair in Himself, but desirable to those who know Him.
“Grace is poured into thy lips.” His speech is marked by grace, truth, and authority. Grace here is favor expressed in words that give life, comfort, and instruction. When He spoke, men “wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth” (Luke 4:22). Jesus’ words reveal both the kindness and the truth of God, for “the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ” (John 1:17). This grace is said to be “poured,” showing abundance and fullness, not measure. He speaks as no other, for “never man spake like this man” (John 7:46). His words bring life, for “the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63).
“Therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.” Because of who He is and how He speaks and rules, God has set His blessing upon Him formally without end. This blessing is not the beginning of His worth, but the public declaration and establishment of it. As the Word of God, He is eternally blessed, yet in His mediatorial office He is appointed and exalted: “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name” (Philippians 2:9). His kingdom is everlasting, and His favor before God is unchanging, for “this is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). The blessing upon Him secures blessing for His people, for “of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace” (John 1:16).
This verse sets forth the excellence of Christ in His person and in His words, and the everlasting blessing of God upon Him as King. Therefore the heart should be drawn to delight in Him who is altogether lovely, the tongue ready to speak of His gracious words, and the ear inclined to receive what He has spoken. As it is written, “My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD” (Psalm 104:34), and again, “Take heed what ye hear” (Mark 4:24).