Psalms
Chapter 45
This psalm is a song written for a royal wedding. The poet first praises the king: his kind words, his sword, his victories, his lasting throne, and his robes that smell of spices. Then the poet turns to the bride and tells her to leave her old home and honor her husband, and describes her being led to the palace with her friends. It closes with a promise of sons who will rule and a name that people will remember for all time.
Plain reading written for preteens. Clear and complete, at about a fifth grade reading level.
My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer.
1My heart is stirred by a fine subject. I am reciting my poem for the king. My tongue moves like the pen of a skilled writer.
2Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.
2You are more handsome than any other man. Kind and gracious words pour from your lips. So God has blessed you forever.
3Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty.
3Strap your sword to your side, mighty warrior. Come out in all your glory and greatness.
4And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things.
4Ride out in your greatness and win, for the sake of truth, humility, and justice. Your right hand will do deeds that leave people in awe.
In 1611, "terrible things" meant deeds so great they filled people with awe, not deeds that were badly done.
5Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the king’s enemies; whereby the people fall under thee.
5Your arrows are sharp. They strike the hearts of the king's enemies. Whole nations fall beneath your feet.
6Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.
6Your throne, O God, lasts forever and ever. You rule your kingdom with fairness.
7Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
7You love what is right and hate what is wrong. So God, your God, has poured the oil of joy on you, lifting you above your companions.
8All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad.
8All your robes smell of myrrh, aloes, and cassia, sweet-smelling spices. From palaces decorated with ivory, the music of strings makes you glad.
9Kings’ daughters were among thy honourable women: upon thy right hand did stand the queen in gold of Ophir.
9Daughters of kings are among the women you honor. At your right side stands the queen, wearing the finest gold.
"Gold of Ophir" meant the very best gold. Ophir was a faraway place famous for the purest gold traders could buy.
10Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy father’s house;
10Listen, daughter. Think about this and pay close attention. Leave behind your own people and your father's house.
11So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for he is thy Lord; and worship thou him.
11Then the king will delight in your beauty. Bow before him, for he is your lord.
"Worship" here means to bow low, the way people bowed to a king. It is about showing honor to her husband.
12And the daughter of Tyre shall be there with a gift; even the rich among the people shall intreat thy favour.
12The people of the city of Tyre will come with a gift. The richest people will look for your favor.
13The king’s daughter is all glorious within: her clothing is of wrought gold.
13The princess is full of glory as she waits in her room. Her gown is woven with gold thread.
14She shall be brought unto the king in raiment of needlework: the virgins her companions that follow her shall be brought unto thee.
14She is led to the king in beautifully embroidered clothes. Her young friends follow her and are brought to you as well.
15With gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought: they shall enter into the king’s palace.
15They are led along with joy and gladness. They come into the king's palace.
16Instead of thy fathers shall be thy children, whom thou mayest make princes in all the earth.
16Your sons will take the place of your fathers. You will make them rulers all over the land.
17I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations: therefore shall the people praise thee for ever and ever.
17I will keep your name alive in every generation. So the nations will praise you forever and ever.
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