Bible Commentaries
Psalms 45

Introduction

Overview

Psalms 45:1, The majesty and grace of Christ’s kingdom; Psalms 45:10, The duty of the church, and the benefits thereof.

Or, rather, “To the chief musician upon the hexachords, a didactic ode for the sons of Korah, and a song of loves.” Shoshannim most probably denotes hexachords, or six-stringed instruments, from shesh , “six:” hence the Persian shasta , a six-stringed lute. This Psalm is supposed by some to be an epithalamium, or nuptial song, on the marriage of Solomon with Pharaoh’s daughter; but with what propriety could Solomon be described as fairer than the children of men, a mighty warrior, a victorious conqueror, and a prince whose throne is for ever and ever? A greater than Solomon is here; and the person described is no other than the Messiah, as is acknowledged by many Jewish writers. The Targum on Psalms 45:3 says, “Thy beauty, malka meshecha , O King Messiah, is greater than the children of men;” and the Apostle expressly quotes it as such Hebrews 1:8, Hebrews 1:9. It was probably written by David after Nathan’s prophetic address 1 Chronicles 17:27.

Verse 1

Shoshannim: Psalms 69:1, Psalms 80:1, *titles

Maschil: or, of instruction

A song: Song of Solomon 1:1, Song of Solomon 1:2-7, Isaiah 5:1, Ephesians 5:32

is inditing: Heb. boileth, or, bubbleth up, Job 32:18-20, Proverbs 16:23, Matthew 12:35

a good: Psalms 49:3, Job 33:3, Job 34:4, Proverbs 8:6-9

touching: Psalms 2:6, Psalms 24:7-10, Psalms 110:1, Psalms 110:2, Song of Solomon 1:12, Isaiah 32:1, Isaiah 32:2, Matthew 25:34, Matthew 27:37

tongue: 2 Samuel 23:2, 2 Peter 1:21

Reciprocal: Numbers 26:11 - General 1 Chronicles 6:37 - Korah Ezra 7:6 - a ready Psalms 8:5 - hast Psalms 42:1 - the sons Psalms 145:1 - my God Proverbs 15:2 - tongue Proverbs 15:26 - but Zechariah 9:9 - behold Matthew 21:5 - thy King 2 Corinthians 9:1 - touching 1 Timothy 1:17 - the King

Verse 2

fairer: Song of Solomon 2:3, Song of Solomon 5:10-16, Zechariah 9:17, Matthew 17:2, John 1:14, Colossians 1:15-18, Hebrews 1:3, Hebrews 1:4, Hebrews 7:26, Revelation 1:13-18

grace: Proverbs 22:11, Isaiah 50:4, Luke 4:22, John 7:46

God: Psalms 21:6, Psalms 72:17-19, Philippians 2:9-11

Reciprocal: Psalms 141:6 - for they Proverbs 5:2 - thy lips Proverbs 15:7 - lips Proverbs 16:21 - the sweetness Song of Solomon 1:16 - thou art Song of Solomon 4:3 - lips Song of Solomon 5:13 - his lips Song of Solomon 5:16 - most Isaiah 33:17 - eyes Isaiah 49:2 - he hath made Matthew 7:28 - the people Luke 1:42 - blessed is Luke 2:40 - the grace Ephesians 4:29 - that which Colossians 1:18 - in all Colossians 4:6 - your

Verse 3

Gird: Isaiah 49:2, Isaiah 63:1-6, Hebrews 4:12, Revelation 1:16, Revelation 19:15, Revelation 19:21

O most: Isaiah 9:6, Isaiah 9:7, Acts 10:36, Romans 14:9

glory: Psalms 21:5, Psalms 96:6, Psalms 104:1, Psalms 145:5, Psalms 145:12, Hebrews 1:3, Hebrews 8:1, Jude 1:25

Reciprocal: Genesis 14:14 - armed Exodus 15:3 - a man Deuteronomy 33:29 - the sword Judges 3:16 - upon 2 Samuel 3:1 - between 1 Chronicles 29:11 - majesty Esther 1:4 - excellent Job 40:10 - majesty Psalms 18:35 - right Psalms 24:8 - The Lord strong Psalms 98:1 - his right Song of Solomon 3:8 - all Isaiah 27:1 - with his Jeremiah 50:25 - opened Micah 5:4 - in the majesty Zechariah 1:8 - behold Zechariah 6:13 - bear Zechariah 9:13 - made Zechariah 9:14 - his Zechariah 10:5 - as John 18:36 - My kingdom is 1 Corinthians 15:25 - General Revelation 6:2 - and he that Revelation 19:11 - and in

Verse 4

ride: etc. Heb. prosper thou, ride thou, Revelation 6:2, Revelation 19:11

prosperously: Psalms 110:2, Psalms 110:3, 1 Thessalonians 1:5, 1 Thessalonians 2:13, 2 Thessalonians 3:1

because: Psalms 60:4, John 1:17, John 14:6

meekness: Zechariah 9:9, Matthew 11:29, Matthew 12:19, Matthew 12:20, 2 Corinthians 10:1

right: Psalms 2:9, Psalms 21:8, Psalms 21:9, Psalms 65:5, Psalms 110:5, Psalms 110:6, Isaiah 59:17, Isaiah 59:18, Isaiah 63:1-6, Luke 19:27, 2 Thessalonians 1:8, 2 Thessalonians 1:9, Revelation 6:16, Revelation 6:17, Revelation 11:18, Revelation 19:17-21, Revelation 20:15

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 29:11 - majesty Job 40:10 - majesty Psalms 18:35 - gentleness Psalms 68:35 - terrible Psalms 72:15 - prayer Psalms 118:15 - the right Isaiah 9:7 - to establish it Isaiah 33:6 - wisdom Isaiah 48:15 - General Jeremiah 23:5 - reign Jeremiah 33:15 - and he Habakkuk 3:8 - ride Zechariah 1:8 - behold Zechariah 6:13 - bear Luke 4:22 - the gracious Ephesians 4:2 - lowliness Ephesians 4:21 - as Hebrews 7:2 - King of righteousness Hebrews 8:1 - the Majesty James 3:13 - with meekness

Verse 5

Thine: Psalms 21:12, Psalms 38:2, Numbers 24:8, Zechariah 9:13, Zechariah 9:14

sharp: Psalms 2:1-9, Luke 19:42-44, Luke 20:18, Luke 20:19, Acts 2:37, Acts 2:41, Acts 5:33, Acts 7:54

people: Psalms 22:27, Psalms 66:3, Psalms 66:4, Acts 4:4, Acts 5:14, Acts 6:7, Romans 15:18, Romans 15:19

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 32:42 - make mine 2 Samuel 18:14 - thrust them 2 Samuel 22:15 - arrows Job 6:4 - the arrows Psalms 7:13 - ordaineth Psalms 110:2 - rule Psalms 110:5 - strike Psalms 144:6 - shoot out Isaiah 5:28 - arrows Isaiah 49:2 - made me Jeremiah 50:25 - opened

Verse 6

throne: Psalms 89:29, Psalms 89:36, Psalms 89:37, Psalms 93:2, Psalms 145:13, Daniel 2:44, Luke 1:32, Luke 1:33, Hebrews 1:8

O God: Isaiah 9:6, Isaiah 9:7, Jeremiah 23:5, Jeremiah 23:6, John 1:1, 1 Timothy 3:16

the sceptre: Psalms 72:1-20, 2 Samuel 23:4, Jeremiah 33:15, Jeremiah 33:16, Revelation 19:11

Reciprocal: Numbers 24:17 - a Sceptre 2 Samuel 7:16 - General 2 Samuel 8:15 - David executed 1 Kings 10:18 - a great throne Psalms 2:6 - Yet Psalms 8:5 - hast Psalms 9:4 - right Psalms 37:28 - loveth Psalms 45:11 - Lord Psalms 47:8 - throne Psalms 72:2 - He shall Psalms 89:14 - Justice Psalms 97:2 - righteousness Psalms 99:4 - strength Psalms 110:1 - until Psalms 145:11 - the glory Proverbs 16:10 - A divine sentence Isaiah 11:4 - But with Isaiah 32:1 - king Isaiah 42:6 - called Lamentations 5:19 - thy throne Ezekiel 1:26 - the likeness of a Daniel 7:14 - an everlasting Zechariah 9:9 - he is Zechariah 12:8 - the house John 8:16 - yet John 20:28 - My Lord Acts 10:36 - he is Romans 9:5 - who is Ephesians 4:24 - righteousness Philippians 2:9 - God 1 Timothy 1:17 - the King Revelation 12:10 - the kingdom

Verse 7

Thou: Psalms 33:5, Psalms 99:4, Matthew 3:15, Hebrews 1:9, Hebrews 7:26

hatest: Psalms 101:3, Psalms 101:4, Psalms 101:8, Matthew 7:23, Luke 13:27, Revelation 21:27

God: or, O God

thy God: Psalms 89:26, Isaiah 61:1, John 20:17, Ephesians 1:3

hath: Psalms 89:20, Leviticus 8:12, 1 Samuel 16:13, 1 Kings 1:39, 1 Kings 1:40, 1 Kings 19:16, Isaiah 61:1-3, Luke 3:22, Luke 4:18-21, John 3:34

oil: Psalms 21:6, 1 Kings 1:39, Acts 2:28

above: John 1:16, Romans 8:29, Colossians 1:18, Colossians 1:19, Hebrews 2:14

Reciprocal: Exodus 40:9 - the anointing oil Leviticus 14:15 - General 1 Samuel 2:10 - anointed 2 Samuel 8:15 - David executed 1 Kings 1:34 - Zadok Psalms 2:2 - anointed Psalms 9:4 - right Psalms 11:7 - For Psalms 23:5 - thou anointest Psalms 37:28 - loveth Psalms 47:8 - throne Psalms 48:10 - thy right Psalms 72:2 - He shall Psalms 89:14 - Justice Psalms 92:10 - I shall Psalms 97:2 - righteousness Psalms 110:1 - until Psalms 145:11 - the glory Proverbs 16:10 - A divine sentence Proverbs 27:9 - Ointment Song of Solomon 1:3 - the savour Isaiah 10:27 - because Isaiah 11:4 - But with Isaiah 32:1 - king Isaiah 42:6 - called Isaiah 61:3 - the oil Isaiah 61:8 - I the Lord Jeremiah 33:15 - and he Daniel 9:24 - and to anoint Zechariah 9:9 - he is Zechariah 12:8 - the house Matthew 25:4 - oil John 1:41 - Christ John 8:16 - yet Acts 4:27 - whom Acts 10:38 - God Acts 24:25 - righteousness Romans 12:9 - Abhor 2 Corinthians 1:21 - anointed Ephesians 4:24 - righteousness Philippians 2:9 - God Hebrews 1:8 - Thy throne 1 John 2:20 - ye have 1 John 3:7 - even

Verse 8

All: Song of Solomon 1:3, Song of Solomon 1:13, Song of Solomon 3:6, Song of Solomon 4:6, Song of Solomon 4:13, Song of Solomon 4:14, Song of Solomon 5:1, Song of Solomon 5:5, Song of Solomon 5:13, Matthew 2:11, John 19:39, 2 Corinthians 2:14-16

cassia: Exodus 30:23, Exodus 30:24

ivory: Psalms 45:15, 1 Kings 22:39, Amos 3:15, John 14:2

whereby: Psalms 16:11, Hebrews 12:2

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 10:18 - ivory 2 Chronicles 9:17 - General Proverbs 7:17 - with Proverbs 27:9 - Ointment Song of Solomon 4:11 - the smell Song of Solomon 7:4 - ivory Isaiah 61:10 - as a Ezekiel 27:19 - cassia Daniel 7:9 - whose

Verse 9

Kings': Psalms 45:13, Psalms 72:10, Song of Solomon 6:8, Song of Solomon 6:9, Song of Solomon 7:1, Isaiah 49:23, Isaiah 60:10, Isaiah 60:11, Revelation 21:24

upon: 1 Kings 2:9, 1 Kings 2:19

queen: Song of Solomon 4:8-11, John 3:29, Ephesians 5:26, Ephesians 5:27, Revelation 19:7, Revelation 21:2, Revelation 21:9

gold: 1 Kings 10:11, Job 22:24

Reciprocal: Genesis 10:29 - Ophir Genesis 24:47 - I put 1 Kings 9:28 - Ophir 1 Kings 22:48 - to Ophir 1 Chronicles 1:23 - Ophir Job 28:16 - the gold Song of Solomon 1:5 - O ye Song of Solomon 4:9 - my spouse Isaiah 61:10 - as a Matthew 20:21 - the one Matthew 25:1 - the bridegroom Matthew 25:33 - his Mark 10:37 - sit Ephesians 5:32 - speak 1 Peter 3:3 - that Revelation 18:7 - I sit

Verse 10

Hearken: Song of Solomon 2:10-13, Isaiah 55:1-3, 2 Corinthians 6:17, 2 Corinthians 6:18, 2 Corinthians 7:1

forget: Genesis 2:24, Genesis 12:1, Deuteronomy 21:13, Deuteronomy 33:9, Matthew 10:37, Matthew 19:29, Luke 14:26, 2 Corinthians 5:16

Reciprocal: Genesis 24:58 - General Genesis 24:61 - followed Genesis 31:16 - whatsoever Genesis 41:51 - Manasseh Numbers 10:30 - General Ruth 1:16 - thy people Ruth 2:11 - and how 1 Samuel 25:42 - Abigail Psalms 45:13 - king's Proverbs 9:6 - Forsake Song of Solomon 4:8 - with me Song of Solomon 8:1 - I would Song of Solomon 8:5 - from the Isaiah 54:5 - thy Maker Matthew 19:5 - said Matthew 22:2 - which Mark 4:3 - Hearken Luke 5:34 - bridegroom Romans 7:4 - that ye 2 Corinthians 11:2 - I have Philippians 3:13 - forgetting Revelation 19:7 - for

Verse 11

So shall: Song of Solomon 1:8, Song of Solomon 1:12-16, Song of Solomon 2:2, Song of Solomon 2:14, Song of Solomon 4:1-5, Song of Solomon 4:7, Song of Solomon 4:9, Song of Solomon 4:10, Song of Solomon 6:4, Song of Solomon 7:1-10, Isaiah 62:4, Isaiah 62:5, Zephaniah 3:17, Ephesians 5:26, Ephesians 5:27

Lord: Psalms 45:6, Isaiah 54:5, Jeremiah 23:5, Jeremiah 23:6, John 20:28, Acts 10:36, Romans 14:9, Philippians 2:10, Philippians 2:11, Philippians 3:8

worship: Psalms 2:12, Psalms 95:6, Luke 24:52, John 4:21, John 4:22, Revelation 5:8-14

Reciprocal: Genesis 12:1 - Get Genesis 24:58 - General Deuteronomy 21:13 - and bewail 1 Samuel 25:42 - Abigail Song of Solomon 2:10 - Rise Song of Solomon 7:6 - General Song of Solomon 7:10 - his Song of Solomon 8:1 - I would Song of Solomon 8:5 - from the Ezekiel 23:4 - they were Daniel 10:11 - greatly beloved Matthew 2:2 - worship Matthew 28:17 - worshipped Mark 2:20 - the bridegroom John 9:38 - Lord 1 Corinthians 1:2 - our Lord 2 Corinthians 11:2 - I have Revelation 7:11 - and worshipped Revelation 19:10 - worship Revelation 22:9 - worship God

Verse 12

And the: Isaiah 23:17, Isaiah 23:18, Acts 21:3-6

with: Psalms 72:10, Isaiah 60:6, Isaiah 60:7, Matthew 2:11

rich: Psalms 22:29, Isaiah 49:23, Isaiah 60:3, Isaiah 60:10, Isaiah 60:11

favour: Heb. face

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 5:1 - sent 2 Chronicles 35:8 - his princes Job 11:19 - many Psalms 2:10 - O Psalms 87:4 - Tyre Proverbs 19:6 - will Ezekiel 26:3 - Behold Matthew 15:22 - a woman Mark 3:8 - Tyre

Verse 13

king's: Psalms 45:9, Psalms 45:10, Song of Solomon 7:1, Isaiah 61:10, 1 Peter 2:9, Revelation 19:7, Revelation 19:8

all glorious: 1 Samuel 16:7, Luke 11:40, Romans 2:29, 2 Corinthians 5:17, 1 Peter 3:3, 1 Peter 3:4

clothing: Psalms 45:9, Matthew 5:16, Matthew 22:11, Matthew 22:12, Romans 3:22, Romans 13:14, Revelation 3:18

Reciprocal: Genesis 24:47 - I put Genesis 37:3 - a coat Exodus 26:7 - curtains 2 Samuel 13:18 - a garment Proverbs 31:22 - clothing Song of Solomon 1:8 - O thou Song of Solomon 4:7 - General Song of Solomon 5:9 - O thou Jeremiah 2:32 - a maid Ezekiel 16:10 - clothed Ezekiel 16:13 - thou didst Luke 15:22 - the best Ephesians 5:27 - glorious 1 Timothy 2:9 - not

Verse 14

She: Song of Solomon 1:4, John 17:24, 2 Corinthians 11:2

raiment: Exodus 28:39, Judges 5:30

virgins: Song of Solomon 1:3, Song of Solomon 1:5, Song of Solomon 2:7, Song of Solomon 5:8, Song of Solomon 5:9, Song of Solomon 6:1, Song of Solomon 6:8, Song of Solomon 6:13, Song of Solomon 8:13, Revelation 14:1-4

Reciprocal: Genesis 24:47 - I put Genesis 37:3 - a coat Exodus 27:16 - needlework 2 Samuel 13:18 - a garment Proverbs 31:22 - clothing Isaiah 61:10 - as a Jeremiah 2:32 - a maid Ezekiel 16:10 - clothed Ezekiel 16:13 - thou didst Matthew 9:15 - Can Matthew 22:11 - which Matthew 25:1 - ten Mark 2:19 - Can Luke 5:34 - the children John 3:29 - the friend 1 Timothy 2:9 - not Revelation 14:4 - for Revelation 19:8 - to her

Verse 15

With: Isaiah 35:10, Isaiah 51:11, Isaiah 55:12, Isaiah 55:13, Isaiah 60:19, Isaiah 60:20, Isaiah 61:10, Jude 1:24, Revelation 7:15-17

they shall: Isaiah 56:5, John 14:3, Revelation 3:12, Revelation 3:21

Reciprocal: Psalms 45:8 - ivory Song of Solomon 1:4 - the king Matthew 9:15 - Can

Verse 16

Instead: Psalms 22:30, Matthew 19:29, Mark 10:29, Mark 10:30, Philippians 3:7, Philippians 3:8

children: Isaiah 49:21, Isaiah 49:22, Isaiah 54:1-5, Isaiah 60:1-5, Galatians 4:26, Galatians 4:27

princes: 1 Peter 2:9, Revelation 1:6, Revelation 5:10, Revelation 20:6

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 24:23 - as a king Psalms 102:18 - the people Psalms 102:28 - The children Psalms 113:8 - General Song of Solomon 7:2 - thy belly Isaiah 53:10 - he shall see Daniel 7:18 - the saints Romans 7:4 - that we

Verse 17

I will: Psalms 22:30, Psalms 22:31, Psalms 72:17-19, Psalms 145:4-7, Isaiah 59:21, Malachi 1:11, Matthew 26:13, 1 Corinthians 11:26

therefore: Psalms 72:17, Song of Solomon 6:9, Isaiah 61:9, Isaiah 62:3

Reciprocal: Psalms 20:7 - but we Psalms 67:3 - General Psalms 79:13 - we will Psalms 102:18 - the people Psalms 102:28 - The children Song of Solomon 5:10 - beloved Isaiah 53:10 - he shall see Acts 4:12 - under Hebrews 5:9 - eternal