Psalm 45:14 - Printer Friendly

ESV: In many-colored robes she is led to the king, with her virgin companions following behind her.

NIV: In embroidered garments she is led to the king; her virgin companions follow her— those brought to be with her.

NASB: She will be brought to the King in colorful garments; The virgins, her companions who follow her, Will be brought to You.

CSB: In colorful garments she is led to the king; after her, the virgins, her companions, are brought to you.

NLT: In her beautiful robes, she is led to the king, accompanied by her bridesmaids.

KJV: She shall be brought unto the king in raiment of needlework: the virgins her companions that follow her shall be brought unto thee.

NKJV: She shall be brought to the King in robes of many colors; The virgins, her companions who follow her, shall be brought to You.

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.

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.

This psalm is often identified as a marriage song, likely ascribing praise to a descendant of David. However, its praise transcends a mortal ruler and his wedding. There are messianic interpretations, noted in the New Testament (Hebrews 1:8–9). These references provide another layer of meaning, as they praise the King of kings, Jesus Christ.

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.