What does Psalm 45:3 mean?
ESV: Gird your sword on your thigh, O mighty one, in your splendor and majesty!
NIV: Gird your sword on your side, you mighty one; clothe yourself with splendor and majesty.
NASB: Strap Your sword on Your thigh, Mighty One, In Your splendor and majesty!
CSB: Mighty warrior, strap your sword at your side. In your majesty and splendor —
NLT: Put on your sword, O mighty warrior! You are so glorious, so majestic!
KJV: Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty.
NKJV: Gird Your sword upon Your thigh, O Mighty One, With Your glory and Your majesty.
Verse Commentary:
To celebrate a king's marriage (Psalm 45:1,9), the writer depicts the ruler as handsome (Psalm 45:2) and as a mighty warrior. Scholars don't know, for sure, which king this was written for. However, the psalm echoes aspects of God's promise that David's line of kings would last forever (2 Samuel 7:12–13, 16). The immediate subject of this song would presumably be one of the Davidic kings. For that reason, there are prophetic parallels between this psalm and the ministry of the Messiah, Jesus Christ (Psalm 24:8; Isaiah 9:6; Zechariah 14:3).
References to a sword, meaning military power, point to the eventual return of Christ. In His first coming, as a humble man, He was not sent for conquest (John 18:36). When He returns, however, He will display His military might, majesty, and glory at His second coming (Revelation 19:11). He is not only the Lamb of God (John 1:29) but also the Lion of the tribe of Judah (Revelation 5:5). He has battled the Devil and his followers throughout the ages, beginning with the Devil's assault on Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden. After His baptism, He battled the Devil in the wilderness, and successfully overcame every temptation the Devil hurled at Him (Matthew 4:1–10). At the end of that battle, the Devil left Jesus, and angels ministered to Him (Matthew 4:11). He struck a fatal blow to the Devil's schemes when He died for our sins on the cross and rose back to life victorious over sin and death (Genesis 3:15; John 12:31; 1 Corinthians 15:50–58; Colossians 2:9–15). He declared this victory when He called out from the cross, "It is finished" (John 19:30).
Verse Context:
Psalm 45:1–5 begins the psalmist's joyful song of admiration. He extols his king as handsome, mighty, and victorious. Although a descendant of David is likely the main object of this adoration, the description fits Jesus, the King of kings. The following passage makes this identification clear.
Chapter Summary:
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.
Chapter Context:
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.
Book Summary:
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.
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