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A Song for the King’s Wedding

For the director of music. To the tune of “Lilies.” A maskil. A love song of the sons of Korah.

45 Beautiful words fill my mind.
    I am speaking of royal things.
    My tongue is like the pen of a skilled writer.

You are more handsome than anyone,
    and you are an excellent speaker,
    so God has blessed you forever.
Put on your sword, powerful warrior.
    Show your glory and majesty.
In your majesty win the victory
    for what is true and right.
    Your power will do amazing things.
Your sharp arrows will enter
    the hearts of the king’s enemies.
    Nations will be defeated before you.
God, your throne will last forever and ever.
    You will rule your kingdom with fairness.
You love right and hate evil,
    so God has chosen you from among your friends;
    he has set you apart with much joy.
Your clothes smell like myrrh, aloes, and cassia.
    From palaces of ivory
    music comes to make you happy.
Kings’ daughters are among your honored women.
    Your bride stands at your right side
    wearing gold from Ophir.

10 Listen to me, daughter; look and pay attention.
    Forget your people and your father’s family.
11 The king loves your beauty.
    Because he is your master, you should obey him.
12 People from the city of Tyre have brought a gift.
    Wealthy people will want to meet you.

13 The princess is very beautiful.
    Her gown is woven with gold.
14 In her beautiful clothes she is brought to the king.
    Her bridesmaids follow behind her,
    and they are also brought to him.
15 They come with happiness and joy;
    they enter the king’s palace.

16 You will have sons to replace your fathers.
    You will make them rulers through all the land.
17 I will make your name famous from now on,
    so people will praise you forever and ever.

Psalm 45[a]

For the director of music. To the tune of “Lilies.” Of the Sons of Korah. A maskil.[b] A wedding song.(A)

My heart is stirred by a noble theme
    as I recite my verses for the king;
    my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer.

You are the most excellent of men
    and your lips have been anointed with grace,(B)
    since God has blessed you forever.(C)

Gird your sword(D) on your side, you mighty one;(E)
    clothe yourself with splendor and majesty.(F)
In your majesty ride forth victoriously(G)
    in the cause of truth, humility and justice;(H)
    let your right hand(I) achieve awesome deeds.(J)
Let your sharp arrows(K) pierce the hearts(L) of the king’s enemies;(M)
    let the nations fall beneath your feet.
Your throne, O God,[c] will last for ever and ever;(N)
    a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.
You love righteousness(O) and hate wickedness;(P)
    therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions
    by anointing(Q) you with the oil of joy.(R)
All your robes are fragrant(S) with myrrh(T) and aloes(U) and cassia;(V)
    from palaces adorned with ivory(W)
    the music of the strings(X) makes you glad.
Daughters of kings(Y) are among your honored women;
    at your right hand(Z) is the royal bride(AA) in gold of Ophir.(AB)

10 Listen, daughter,(AC) and pay careful attention:(AD)
    Forget your people(AE) and your father’s house.
11 Let the king be enthralled by your beauty;(AF)
    honor(AG) him, for he is your lord.(AH)
12 The city of Tyre(AI) will come with a gift,[d](AJ)
    people of wealth will seek your favor.
13 All glorious(AK) is the princess within her chamber;
    her gown is interwoven with gold.(AL)
14 In embroidered garments(AM) she is led to the king;(AN)
    her virgin companions(AO) follow her—
    those brought to be with her.
15 Led in with joy and gladness,(AP)
    they enter the palace of the king.

16 Your sons will take the place of your fathers;
    you will make them princes(AQ) throughout the land.

17 I will perpetuate your memory through all generations;(AR)
    therefore the nations will praise you(AS) for ever and ever.(AT)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 45:1 In Hebrew texts 45:1-17 is numbered 45:2-18.
  2. Psalm 45:1 Title: Probably a literary or musical term
  3. Psalm 45:6 Here the king is addressed as God’s representative.
  4. Psalm 45:12 Or A Tyrian robe is among the gifts