What does Psalm 45:1 mean?

This psalm begins with multiple notes describing its style and nature. A note directed to the "choir director" or "choirmaster" points to the Hebrew word sō'sannim, which might mean "lilies," and here seems to imply a particular tune or musical style. A maskiyl appears to be a reflective, pensive song. The "Sons of Korah" were likely a group heavily involved in musical worship. This is also titled as a "love song," or possibly "a wedding song." The text does not identify an exact wedding.

Scribes were known for careful and accurate work writing and copying manuscripts. The comparison to the work of a scribe means the psalmist thoughtfully prepared his song.

Though it is a marriage song written for some king (Psalm 45:9), its words prophetically explain the ministry of the King of kings: the Lord Jesus Christ. Prophetically, the marriage of Jesus and His bride, the Church, is in view. Ephesians 5:25–27 says, "Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish."