Psalm 45

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 45:1

Psalms 45:1. My heart is enditing a good matter I am about to utter, not rash, vain, or foolish, much less false words, but such as proceed from my very heart, and most cordial affections; and are the result of my most deliberate and serious thoughts: things not only pleasant and delightful, and fit for the nuptial solemnity here intended, but excellent, as the word שׂוב , tob, often signifies: or holy and spiritual, as it is most commonly used: things heavenly and divine, and full... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 45:2

Psalms 45:2. Thou art fairer More beautiful and amiable; than the children of men Than all other men. Which is most true of Christ, but not of Solomon; whom many have excelled, if not in wisdom, yet in holiness and righteousness, which is the chief part of the beauty celebrated in this Psalm. Grace is poured into thy lips God hath plentifully poured into thy mind and tongue the gift of speaking wisely, eloquently, and acceptably, so as to find grace with, and communicate grace to, the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 45:3-4

Psalms 45:3-4. Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most Mighty “Having described the beauty and eloquence of the king, the prophet now proceeds to set forth his power, and to arm him as a warrior for the battle.” The sword of the Messiah, which is here put, by a synecdoche, for all his arms, is his Word, which, in the language of St. Paul, is said to be quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and is represented by St. John as a sharp two-edged sword coming out of his... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 45:5

Psalms 45:5. Thine arrows are sharp, &c. The allusion to an earthly conqueror is still continued. The arrows mean the same with the sword, both denoting the instruments wherewith he conquers his enemies; which are the truths, precepts, threatenings, promises, &c., of his word. These, when accompanied by the influences of the Holy Spirit, are sharp and powerful, and pierce the hearts of men with conviction of sin, shame, and sorrow, producing frequently terror, dismay, and... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 45:6

Psalms 45:6. Thy throne, O God, &c. It is evident that the speech is still continued to the same person whom he calls king, Psalms 45:1; Psalms 45:11; and here God, to assure us that he doth not speak of Solomon, but of a far greater king, who is not only a man, but the mighty God, Isaiah 9:6. For though the name Elohim, or God, be sometimes given in Scripture to some creatures, yet, in those cases, it is always clogged with some diminishing expression, signifying that they are... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 45:7

Psalms 45:7. Thou lovest righteousness, &c. Thou not only doest that which is good, and avoidest that which is evil, which even bad princes and men may do, and often actually do for political and prudential reasons; but thou doest these things from a pure and internal principle, from a sincere and most fervent love of righteousness, and an implacable hatred of all wickedness. The Lord Jesus has made it appear, by the holiness of his life, the merit of his death, and the great design of... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 45:8

Psalms 45:8. All thy garments smell of myrrh, &c. Wherewith they used to perfume their garments, Genesis 27:27. This may denote those glorious and sweet-smelling virtues, which, as they were treasured up inwardly in Christ’s heart, so did they manifest themselves outwardly, and give forth a grateful smell in the whole course of his life and actions; his doctrine also was a sweet savour unto God and men, 2 Corinthians 2:14-15. Out of the ivory palaces The king is here supposed to... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 45:9

Psalms 45:9. Kings’ daughters were among thy honourable women Among them that attend upon thy spouse, as the manner was in nuptial solemnities. As the queen is the church in general, so these honourable women are particular believers, who are daily added to the church, Acts 2:47. And although the church is made up of particular believers, yet she is distinguished from them for the decency of the parable, as the whole is often distinguished in our minds from the parts of which it... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 45:10

Psalms 45:10. Hearken, &c. The prophet, having hitherto spoken to the bridegroom, addresses himself now to the bride or queen. O daughter He speaks like an elder person, and as her spiritual father and counsellor; Consider, and incline thine ear He useth several words signifying the same thing, to show his serious and earnest desire of her good, and the great importance and difficulty of practising the following counsel. Forget also Comparatively; thine own people, and thy... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 45:11

Psalms 45:11. So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty So shalt thou be amiable in the eyes of thy husband, and truly acceptable and dear to him, who, having purchased and betrothed thee to himself, justly requires thy whole heart, thy undivided love; and his affection, and the complacency which he will take in thee, will abundantly recompense thee for the loss of thy father’s house. For he is thy Lord As he is thy husband, and also as he is thy King and God, he is thy Lord, and... read more

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 45:1

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 45:2

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 45:3-4

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 45:5

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 45:6

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 45:7

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 45:8

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 45:9

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 45:10

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 45:11

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