Psalm 45

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 45:1-6

The Kingship of Christ. The unerring instinct of the Church has interpreted this psalm of the Messiah. Each Jewish king, in a sense, foreshadowed the true King. Of Solomon it might be said, in a special manner, that he was a type of the true King; but take him "in all his glory," and he was only a type dim and imperfect. "A greater than Solomon is here." Mark— I. THE PERFECTNESS OF HIS CHARACTER . Christ's excellence is moral. All that was "fair" in others was but the broken... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 45:1-17

The psalm consists of two main portions—an address to the bridegroom in eight verses ( Psalms 45:2-9 ), and an address to the bride in six ( Psalms 45:10-15 ); with an introduction and a conclusion, the latter comprised in two verses, the former in one verse only. Title of the psalm. The psalm has an unusually long and complicated title. First, it is addressed, like so many others, to the precentor, or chief musician, the head of the tabernacle choir. Next, it is said to be "upon... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 45:1-17

The glories of the eternal King. This psalm is one of those which set forth in glowing terms the glory and majesty of the King of kings, the Anointed One, who should come into the world. "It is a psalm of the theocratic kingdom, the marriage song of the King." £ It is a song of the highest order, which, according to its title, was for the chief musician; set to "Shoshannim," a word which, we are told in the margin (Revised Version), means "lilies." This, however, does not throw much... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 45:2

Thou art fairer than the children of men . It has been argued that a description of the Messiah would not lay stress on his personal beauty. But in the Song of Songs the personal beauty of the bridegroom, whom so many critics regard as the Messiah, is a main point ( Song of Solomon 5:10-16 ). A perfect man, such as Messiah was to be, must needs be beautiful, at any rate with a beauty of expression. In calling his bridegroom " fair beyond the sons of men ," the writer at once gives us... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 45:2

Altogether lovely. "Thou art fairer than the children of men." Immense learning and ingenuity have been expended in the attempt to find some historic occasion for this psalm—some Jewish original of these royal portraits, the king and the bride. Solomon has naturally been thought of, as a type, Calvin thinks, of Christ; but the description does not suit him. Even Jehoram and Athaliah, Ahab and Jezebel, have had their advocates. The great Jewish commentators take the psalm as a prophecy of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 45:3

Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty ; i.e. array thyself as a warrior, for thou wilt have enemies to conquer, and wilt need a sword against them (see Psalms 45:4 , Psalms 45:5 ). With thy glory and thy majesty . There is no "with" in the original. Some think his sword is called Messiah's "glory and majesty." Others supply "put on," as implied in the "gird" of the first clause, and translate, "Put on thy glory and thy majesty;" i.e. show thyself in all the majesty and glory... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 45:4

And in thy majesty ride prosperously ; literally, and in thy majesty go forth , ride. The riding intended is probably riding in a chariot. Because of truth and meekness and righteousness ; rather, because of truth and meek-tempered righteoushess (Kay); i.e. for the purpose of vindicating truth and righteousness in the case of those who outrage them. Righteousness, however, to be really righteousness, must be combined with meekness (comp. Zephaniah 2:3 ). And thy right hand shall... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 45:5

Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the king's enemies; whereby the people fall under thee . The original is more graphic. It runs, "Thy arrows are sharp—the peoples fall under thee—(they are) in the heart of the king's enemies." All the enemies of Messiah shall one day be chastised, and fall before him. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 45:6

Thy throne, O God . So the LXX ; the Epistle to the Hebrews ( Hebrews 1:8 ), the Chaldee paraphrase, and, among critics, Rosenmuller, Hengstenberg, Kay, Professor Alexander, and Canon Cook. The renderings proposed by Gesenius, Ewald, and the anti-Messianic school generally are wholly untenable, as Hengstenberg has clearly shown. The psalmist's intention is to address the King, whom he has already declared to be more than man ( Psalms 45:2 ), as "God." Is for ever and ever . A... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 45:7

Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness , therefore , etc. God will only commit rule and authority over his Church to one who will rule justly—one who loves righteousness and hates iniquity. Messiah is alone perfect in righteousness, and therefore entitled to rule. Therefore God , thy God , hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows . Some moderns translate, "Therefore, O God, thy God hath anointed thee," etc.; but the rendering of the Authorized... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 45:1-6

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 45:1-17

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 45:1-17

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 45:2

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 45:2

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 45:3

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 45:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 45:5

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 45:6

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 45:7

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