What does Psalm 45:14 mean?
Aspects of this psalm serve a dual purpose. In their most immediate use, the words were meant for the wedding of an earthly king (Psalm 45:1, 9). Yet they also include prophecies about Jesus Christ, the Promised One (Psalm 45:6–7; Hebrews 1:8–9). Here, again, there are parallels between the psalmist's depiction of the wedding party and the events predicted to occur in the end times.In a prophetic sense, this verse likely anticipates the return of Jesus Christ to earth for the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. Revelation 19:7–8 says, "'Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure'—for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints."
If there is a direct parallel to that event in this verse, the bride's "virgin companions" who follow behind her may be Old Testament believers and tribulation saints who are guests at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. Jesus said, "I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 8:11). Jesus will come in the air for His bride, the Church, before the tribulation. At the end of the tribulation He will return to earth with His bride and inaugurate His earthly kingdom.
Psalm 45:6–17 describes the glorious king, his bride, and the wedding procession. The original subject of this song was an earthly king and his bride. However, the words also serve as prophecies about the ultimate Davidic King, Jesus Christ.
The psalm begins with the exaggeration for effect common to love songs and works celebrating an earthly king. The groom is described as handsome, powerful, and graceful. The psalm also speaks of an eternal throne—this connects to prophecies about the Messiah (2 Samuel 7:12–13; Hebrews 1:8–9). The Bible often uses marriage images to explain the relationship between Christ and the church, including songs such as this.
