Psalms Chapter 45:10-17 #TheKingofKings #TheBride #TheKing #TheMarriage #WarriorKing (Unless otherwise cited this devotional is from the King James Version-Psalms 47 mainly because it is public domain.) But read this Psalm in the NIV for clarity of the Genre.)
The Splendor of the Bride
- “10 Hearken, 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.
It appears that this “bride” is not an Israelite because she is admonished to “forget also thine own people” (Verse 10). This may appear to be unfair to “women;” however Genesis 2:24 ESV dictates that when a man becomes marries he should “T. . . . leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” As Christians, we are reminded here of about Christ’s statement to his followers in Luke 14:26-33 (ESV)
26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ 31 Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. 33 So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.”
When one becomes married, they are forming a new alliance, a new family, and gain a new status. The bride in verse 10 is doing just that.
I must be willing to give up all of my earthly possessions, titles, accolades to be in step with the will of God. Jesus/God demands absolute loyalty to Him and Him alone. We cannot have one foot in one culture and another in God’s culture, or kingdom, because “for he is [my] Lord; and [I must] worship him.”
- 12 And the daughter of Tyre shall be there with a gift; even the rich among the people shall intreat thy favour.
- 13 The king’s daughter is all glorious within: her clothing is of wrought gold.
Verse 13. The receives gifts from even the rich. God’s people are blessed and highly favored. At some point, the blessings of being favored by strangers to begin to formulate in the lives of Christians. Verse 13 changes the addresses to the bride and speaks about her beauty. As Christians, we have the possibility of demonstrating such beauty in our relationship with God that everyone should be asking why are we different.
We are the beacon of light that should guide the lost to the acceptance of the call of the Holy Spirit on their lives. When all they see is people griping, moaning, groaning, complaining, and being ugly to each other, they will NOT want to be a part of that “group.” Why? They are already miserable in their current lifestyle. We must hide His word in our hearts, or we cannot abide in His presence. Sin will permeate our lives.
- 14 She shall be brought unto the king in raiment of needlework: the virgins her companions that follow her shall be brought unto thee.
- 15 With gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought: they shall enter into the king’s palace.
Verse 14 alludes to the fact that the bride is accompanied by “virgins/bridesmaids” and she is brought to her husband’s home in the “full regalia.” Not only do they accompany her to her husband’s home, but they also do it with much joy, pomp, and circumstance. This is a celebration of the “act” of marriage as ordained by God. Although this is the opulent marriage of “The King” [We do not know which marriage this is. The Psalm does not reference a specific wife.] the integrity of a godly king and a moral wife. It also celebrates marriage, but note the splendor and solemnity of the ceremony itself. Thus, the poem extols marriage itself, whether of a royal couple or not.
- 16 Instead of thy fathers shall be thy children, whom thou mayest make princes in all the earth.
- 17 I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations: therefore shall the people praise thee for ever and ever.
The balance between addressing the bride and the king is shown in the rhythmic pattern of who is being addressed. The wife, and then the husband/king, and forth of the addresses. Verses 16-17 affirm the Davidic Covenant.
The Davidic Covenant
2 Samuel 7:11-16 (ESV)
11 from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel. And I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover, the Lord declares to you that the Lord will make you a house. 12 When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men, 15 but my steadfast love will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. 16 And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.’”
The Davidic reign is a mirror of God’s
The Davidic kingship reflects God’s measureless kingship over the universe. It also foresees the reign of Jesus Christ our Messiah and The King of Kings and Lord of Lord. Why? Jesus is the groom who is waiting for his bride [the Church.]
Ephesians 5:25-32 ESV
25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. 28 In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, 30 because we are members of his body. 31 “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”32 This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church.
Hebrews 1:8– 9 ESV as cited in the LXX
- 8 But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.
- 9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.”
Church, are you ready for our bridegroom to come?
References
Cayce, Ken. 2018. “Books of the Bible.” http://www.bible-studys.org/About%20Me.html. Accessed October 14, 2018.
Longman, Tremper, III. 2014. Psalms: An Introduction and Commentary. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press. Accessed October 14, 2018. ProQuest Ebook Central.
You Are Not the Only One 