THE BRIDEGROOM-KING

Psalm 45 describes the marriage of the King with a king’s daughter and their subsequent posterity and renoun. It is a Messianic psalm, verses 6, 7 being quoted in Hebrews 1. 8, 9. The King is the main subject of the psalm, which points to our Lord Jesus as the King of kings and Lord of lords. He will come to earth in order to put down all rebellion and inaugurate His glorious reign, Rev. 19. 11-16.

The glories of the King occupy the psalmist in verses 1-9 of the psalm, and as verse 1 shows he finds it difficult to give expression to the wonders and glory of his great subject. The earlier part presents the glories of the Bridegroom-King.

His Moral Glory. He is “fairer than the children of men”. There is none to compare with Him; all others stand in contrast. Having said who He is, the psalmist is now concerned with what He says, “grace is poured into thy lips”. We recall the “gracious words” of our Lord, Luke 4. 22. The excellence of His moral character is revealed in the Gospels. The perfect blend of grace and truth is found uniquely in Him. He is like us, yet unlike us. He shared our human nature, but not our sinful nature. The perfect balance of His character, without weakness on the one hand, or overbearing on the other, is completely different from that of all others. He is fairer, more beautiful, and that by far.

His Official Glory. We read of “thy sword … thy glory … thy majesty … thy right hand … thy throne”, besides a sceptre and anointing with the oil of gladness, vv. 3-7. As King, the Lord Jesus will take the kingdom by defeating His foes, Rev. 19. He is superior to any and every monarch, and He has the moral and official right to rule.

His Personal Glory. The full Deity of the King is seen, as we observe the Spirit’s interpretation of verse 6 in Hebrews 1. 8. Also note that verse 8 explains that He is as gracious as He is glorious.

The queen is at His right hand, v. 9. On this wedding day, her beauty, attire and attendants are described in some detail, pointing on to a glorious time yet future for Israel and the church. The psalm closes with the bridal procession, vv. 1415, anticipating the future time of rejoicing for God’s people.