What does Psalm 45:2 mean?
ESV: You are the most handsome of the sons of men; grace is poured upon your lips; therefore God has blessed you forever.
NIV: You are the most excellent of men and your lips have been anointed with grace, since God has blessed you forever.
NASB: You are the most handsome of the sons of mankind; Grace is poured upon Your lips; Therefore God has blessed You forever.
CSB: You are the most handsome of men; grace flows from your lips. Therefore God has blessed you forever.
NLT: You are the most handsome of all. Gracious words stream from your lips. God himself has blessed you forever.
KJV: Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.
NKJV: You are fairer than the sons of men; Grace is poured upon Your lips; Therefore God has blessed You forever.
Verse Commentary:
The psalmist compliments his king in this verse. He describes him as the most handsome man among men. This exaggeration for effect is typical of songs in any era; modern lyrics commonly use phrases such as "most beautiful…in the world" without being overly literal. Here, the writer is celebrating an unspecified wedding (Psalm 45:1,9). Later portions of the psalm depict the eternal, unending line of kings, and can be prophetically applied to Jesus Christ.
This compliment does not, however, apply to Jesus. He did not appear handsome when He ministered on earth. Isaiah 53:2 describes Him as having "no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him." However, the period of Jesus' humiliation is over, and the time of His glorification is soon to arrive. Isaiah 33:17 says, "Your eyes will behold the king in his beauty."
God's blessing also pours out on the subject's speech. This depiction would apply to Christ. Those who heard Him "marveled at the gracious words that were coming from his mouth" (Luke 4:22).
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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