What does Psalm 45:6 mean?
Commentators differ over the psalmist's exact intent here. The immediate context of the psalm is the wedding of an earthly king (Psalm 45:1, 9). Yet, because the psalmist references a ruler in the line of David (2 Samuel 7:12–13, 16), his words also serve as prophetic remarks about the Messiah. Here, the language can be interpreted in more than one way. It is possible to interpret the first phrase to mean "your throne is God's forever." Or, as most English translations have it, "your throne, O God, is forever."The Hebrew word used for "God" here is 'elō'him, or Elohim, a noun referring to greatness or power. In most cases, Hebrew Scripture uses this as reference for Yahweh: the One True God. However, the word is also used of human rulers in certain situations (Psalm 82:6; Exodus 21:6; John 10:35). The rulership of Israel was sometimes called the "throne of the LORD" (1 Chronicles 29:23). If the psalmist is referring, directly, to the newly-married king, this might be his usage, here. While there are clear messianic tones in this psalm, it does not seem to have been written for that immediate purpose.
And yet, the New Testament shows how this reference connects to the role of Messiah. Hebrews introduces Jesus Christ as the heir of all things and the Creator (Hebrews 1:2). He is "the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature" (Hebrews 1:3). He is superior to the angels (Hebrews 1:4). He is God's Son (Hebrews 1:5). He is worthy of worship (Hebrews 1:6), and He is God (Hebrews 1:8). His throne is "forever and ever" and His scepter is "the scepter of uprightness" (Hebrews 1:8). The writer of Hebrews notes the words of this verse, in this psalm, to connect the throne of David's line to God's promise to send a Savior.
Revelation 11:15 anticipates the establishment of Messiah Jesus' kingdom. A crescendo of voices in heaven declare, "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever."
