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For the director of music. A maskil of the Sons of Korah. A wedding song to the tune of “Lilies.”

45 My heart is full of beautiful words
    as I say my poem for the king.
    My tongue is like the pen of a skillful writer.

You are the most excellent of men.
    Your lips have been given the ability to speak gracious words.
    God has blessed you forever.
Mighty one, put your sword at your side.
    Put on glory and majesty as if they were your clothes.
In your majesty ride out with power
    to fight for what is true, humble and fair.
    Let your right hand do wonderful things.
Shoot your sharp arrows into the hearts of your enemies.
    Let the nations come under your control.
Your throne is the very throne of God.
    Your kingdom will last for ever and ever.
    You will rule by treating everyone fairly.
You love what is right and hate what is evil.
    So your God has placed you above your companions.
    He has filled you with joy by pouring the sacred oil on your head.
Myrrh and aloes and cassia make all your robes smell good.
    In palaces decorated with ivory
    the music played on stringed instruments makes you glad.
Daughters of kings are among the women you honor.
    At your right hand is the royal bride dressed in gold from Ophir.

10 Royal bride, listen and pay careful attention.
    Forget about your people and the home you came from.
11 Let the king be charmed by your beauty.
    Honor him. He is now your master.
12 The people of Tyre will come with gifts.
    Wealthy people will try to gain your favor.

13 In her room, the princess looks glorious.
    Her gown has gold threads running through it.
14 Dressed in beautiful clothes, she is led to the king.
    Her virgin companions follow her.
    They have been brought to be with her.
15 They are led in with joy and gladness.
    They enter the palace of the king.

16 Your sons will rule just as your father and grandfather did.
    You will make them princes through the whole land.
17 I will make sure that people will always remember you.
    The nations will praise you for ever 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