What does Psalm 45:11 mean?
ESV: and the king will desire your beauty. Since he is your lord, bow to him.
NIV: Let the king be enthralled by your beauty; honor him, for he is your lord.
NASB: Then the King will crave your beauty. Because He is your Lord, bow down to Him.
CSB: and the king will desire your beauty. Bow down to him, for he is your lord.
NLT: For your royal husband delights in your beauty; honor him, for he is your lord.
KJV: So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for he is thy Lord; and worship thou him.
NKJV: So the King will greatly desire your beauty; Because He is your Lord, worship Him.
Verse Commentary:
Scripture often uses marriage terminology to parallel the relationship between Christ and His church (John 3:29; Revelation 21:9; 22:17). This psalm was initially meant for the wedding of a king (Psalm 45:1, 9). However, it also provides prophecies explaining the ministry of the Messiah, Jesus Christ (Psalm 45:6–7; Hebrews 1:8–9). The psalmist tells the king's bride that the king desires her beauty.
The King of kings, the Lord Jesus, looks upon His bride, the Church, as beautiful. By saving Christians, He has removed the ugliness of sin and made them beautiful. Isaiah 61:3 promises that the Lord gives His people "a beautiful headdress instead of ashes." Ephesians 5:25–27 explains that Christ gave Himself for the Church to separate her from the world and bring her to Himself. When Jesus comes in the air to take His bride, the Church, to Heaven, she will be "without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish" (Ephesians 5:27). Today, Christians struggle against sin, but they will be free from sin when Jesus claims His bride (1 John 1:8—2:6; 3:2). Jude 1:24–25 praises God for this reality: "Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen."
Further, the bride is told that she should recognize her husband-king as her lord (1 Peter 3:6; Ephesians 5:21–24, 33). In other words, she should honor him with full devotion (Luke 16:13; Hebrews 12:28; Isaiah 8:13; Revelation 4:11).
Verse Context:
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.
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.
Accessed 4/28/2024 4:25:24 PM
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