Psalm 45

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 45

This psalm is an illustrious prophecy of Messiah the Prince: it is all over gospel, and points at him only, as a bridegroom espousing the church to himself and as a king ruling in it and ruling for it. It is probable that our Saviour has reference to this psalm when he compares the kingdom of heaven, more than once, to a nuptial solemnity, the solemnity of a royal nuptial, Matt. 22:2; 25:1. We have no reason to think it has any reference to Solomon's marriage with Pharaoh's daughter; if I... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 45:1-5

Some make Shoshannim, in the title, to signify an instrument of six strings; others take it in its primitive signification for lilies or roses, which probably were strewed, with other flowers, at nuptial solemnities; and then it is easily applicable to Christ who calls himself the rose of Sharon and the lily of the valleys, Song 2:1. It is a song of loves, concerning the holy love that is between Christ and his church. It is a song of the well-beloved, the virgins, the companions of the bride... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 45:6-9

We have here the royal bridegroom filling his throne with judgment and keeping his court with splendour. I. He here fills his throne with judgment. It is God the Father that says to the Son here, Thy throne, O God! is forever and ever, as appears Heb. 1:8, 9, where this is quoted to prove that he is God and has a more excellent name than the angels. The Mediator is God, else he neither would have been able to do the Mediator's work nor fit to wear the Mediator's crown. Concerning his... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 45:10-17

This latter part of the psalm is addressed to the royal bride, standing on the right hand of the royal bridegroom. God, who said to the Son, Thy throne is for ever and ever, says this to the church, which, upon the account of her espousals to the Son, he here calls his daughter. I. He tells her of the duties expected from her, which ought to be considered by all those that come into relation to the Lord Jesus: ?Hearken, therefore, and consider this, and incline thy ear, that is, submit to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 45

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 45 To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim, for the sons of Korah , Maschil, A Song of loves . There are some things in this title we have met with already in other psalms; as the direction, "to the chief Musician, for the sons of Korah"; and one of its names, "Maschil". The word "shoshannim", according to Kimchi and Ben Melech, is the name of a musical instrument, on which this psalm was sung; an instrument of six strings, as Junius: but Aben Ezra thinks it was... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 45:1

My heart is inditing a good matter ,.... What is valuable and excellent, concerning the excellency of Christ's person, of his kingdom, of his love to the church, and of the church itself; what is pleasant and delightful, comfortable, useful, and profitable: this his heart was inditing; which shows that it was under the sanctifying influences of the Holy Spirit, and denotes the fervour of it; it "boiling up", as the word F24 רחש "ebullit", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator; so... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 45:2

Thou art fairer than the children of men ,.... Here begins the psalm, and this is an address to the King Messiah, the subject of it, commending him for his beauty and comeliness; which is not to be understood of his divine beauty or his glory, as the only begotten of the Father, in which he is the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person; for this admits of no comparison, nor is the beauty of angels and men to be mentioned with it; but of the beauty of his human nature,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 45:3

Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty ,.... As Christ is, the mighty God, even the Almighty, and which appears by his works of creation and providence; by the redemption of his people; by his care and government of them; by succouring them under all their temptations and afflictions; by strengthening them for every service, duty, and suffering; by pleading their cause, and supplying their wants; by preserving them to his kingdom and glory; by raising them from the dead at the last... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 45:4

And in thy majesty ride prosperously ,.... Not literally, as was prophesied of him he should, and as he did, Zechariah 9:9 ; but mystically and spiritually, either in the chariots of angels up to heaven, Psalm 68:17 ; or on the white horse of the Gospel, with his bow and arrows after mentioned, conquering and to conquer, Revelation 6:2 ; and where he rides "in his majesty", showing forth his glory both as a divine Person and as Mediator; and which is very conspicuous in the Gospel,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 45:5

Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the king's enemies ,.... Meaning either the Jews, who were the implacable enemies of Christ, and who would not have him to reign over them; in the midst of whom were sent his arrows, of the sword, famine, and pestilence, and which were very sharp, and made sad havoc among them, and caused such a time of tribulation as was not before, or has been since, Matthew 24:21 ; or else the doctrines of the Gospel. The Scriptures are the quiver out of which... read more

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