Explanation: Psalm 45 is one of the Messianic Psalms (see below). Its probable author is David, who received other Messianic revelations about the one who would descend from him an become the Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed. David represented the Messiah as God. Also, this Psalm describes what the New Testament calls the wedding of the Lamb. The painting above represents a king selecting a peasant as a wife, which is what the LORD did in selecting the Jews and what Jesus did in calling out his bride as a continuation of the process begun by his Father.

          [ THEMATICALLY AND CHRONOLOGICALLY RELATED SCRIPTURES: Hebrews 1:8-9. Messianic Psalms: Psalm 2. Psalm 8. Psalm 16. Psalm 22. Psalm 34. Psalm 35. Psalm 40. Psalm 41. Psalm 45. Psalm 68. Psalm 69. Psalm 89. Psalm 102. Psalm 109. Psalm 110. Psalm 118. ]

          [ CHRONOLOGY: General. Patriarchs (Traditional). Judges # 1. Judges # 2. Kings # 1. Kings # 2. Prophets # 1. Prophets # 2. NT # 1. NT # 2. NT # 3. ]

          [ MAPS: Maps # 1. Maps # 2. Maps # 3. Maps # 4. Maps # 5. ]

          [ COMMENTARIES, ETC: GENERAL: Bible Study Tools; Bible Hub: Study Light; Blue Letter Bible // PSALMS: Monergism: Precept Austin: The Treasury of David; John Gill; John Calvin - Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

          [ MUSIC: GENERAL: The Cyber Hymnal // PSALMS: Genevan Psalter (Instrumental). Psalm 45 - #1. Psalm 45 - #2. Psalm - #3. Psalm - #4. ]

     The Psalmist calls his Psalm "a song of loves" -- or a song of a beloved one. His heart bubbled over with a good thing or a good word. He spoke concerning the king. His heart was ready to speak -- like a scribe prepared to write (1).
     He said that the one to whom he spoke was fairer than the children of men, that he had lips filled with grace, and that the perpetual blessing of God was upon him (2).
     The Psalmist also addressed him as a warrior, telling him to gird on his sword in glory and majesty and to ride prosperously in his majesty -- in truth, and meekness, and righteousness (or equity); and from his right hand would flow frightening things (3-4). His arrows were sharp in the heart of the king's enemies; and people fall under him (5).
     The Psalmist addresses him as God, saying "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; the scepter of your kingdom is a right (or upright) scepter." He loves righteousness, and hates wickedness, therefore God, his God, anointed him with the oil of gladness above his fellows (6-7).
     The Psalmist describes his glory: His garments were fragrant with myrrh, aloes, and cassia in the ivory palaces, in the midst of gladness (8). King's daughters surrounded him; the queen stood at his right hand, clothed in the gold of Ophir (9).
     Then, addressing the queen (or, in retrospect, the queen to be) the Psalmist tells her to forget her own people and her father's house; and the king will greatly desire her beauty, "for he is your lord; and worship him." And the daughter of Tyre will come with a gift; and the rich will plead for her favor (10-12).
     Then, describing the wedding procession, the Psalmist says that the bride will be glorious within and clothed with gold without. She will come to the king in garments of needlework; her virgin companions will follow her. They will come with gladness and rejoicing. Her fathers (whom she was exhorted to forget) will be replaced by her children who will become princes in the earth. Her name will be remembered in all generations; and she will be praised perpetually (13-17).