Psalm 45:2 NIV

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

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 45:2

Thou art fairer than the children of men - By whom are these words spoken? As this is a regular epithalamium, we are to consider that the bride and bridegroom have compliments paid them by those called the friends of the bridegroom, and the companions or maids of the bride. But it seems that the whole Psalm, except the first verse, was spoken by those who are called in the title ידידת yedidoth , the beloved maids, or female companions, who begin with his perfections, and then describe... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 45:2

Verse 2 2.Thou art fairer than the sons of men. The Psalmist commences his subject with the commendation of the beauty of the king, and then he proceeds also to praise his eloquence. Personal excellence is ascribed to the king, not that the beauty of the countenance, which of itself is not reckoned among the number of the virtues, ought to be very highly valued; but because a noble disposition of mind often shines forth in the very countenance of a man. This may have been the case with Solomon,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 45:2

Thou art fairer than the children of men - That is, Thou art more fair and comely than men; thy comeliness is greater than that which is found among men. In other words, Thou art beautiful beyond any human standard or comparison. The language, indeed, would not necessarily imply that he was not a man, but it means that among all who dwell upon the earth there was none to be found that could be compared with him. The Hebrew word rendered “thou art fairer” - יפיפית yāpeyāpiytha - is a very... read more

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

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 45:2

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 45:2

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

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 45:2

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