Introduction
1. A Maskil
Psalm 45 is a Maskil . The exact meaning of Maskil is uncertain today.
What we know is that a Maskil contains wisdom teaching. The song is for contemplation. The audience should pay attention to the lyrics, to learn what the psalmist intended to teach.
The Royal Wedding Song has five parts:
Introduction: The psalmist’s describes his scribal task (45:1),
Praise: The king as groom (45:2–9),
Praise: The royal bride (45:10–15),
Hope: The succession of David’s Dynasty through sons (45:16),
Conclusion: The psalmist promises to perpetuate the king’s memory (45:17).
As we have observed, the song comprises largely of praises to the king and his bride.
However, the lyrics has teachings to correct the king and his bride of wrong notions about their royal status.
This corrective function in songs or poetry is called polemic
2. What is a Polemic?
Polemic is a literary device that corrects wrong beliefs & practices.
Example: The Creation story in Genesis 1 is a polemic.
When the ANE peoples were worshipping the sun, moon and stars, Genesis 1 Story teaches the Israelites that God is Creator of the sun, moon and stars, and all the creatures on earth. Therefore, God’s chosen people should worship the Creator and not any of the created things or creatures. That is a Polemic function of the Creation-Story.
Similarly Psalm 45 is a wedding song with a polemic function.
3. The Psalmist’s Intent of Psalm 45
Psalm 45 reminds the King of who he is in relation to YHWH;
It reminds the king of how is supposed to rule in line with God’s will.
The song also reminds the bride of her responsibilities in the new family.
Without the Polemic contents, the Psalm 45 is just a sycophantic song.
In this sermon I shall explain,
What Psalm 45 meant to the original audience
Application – Then
Pre-Exile Times
Exile/ Post-Exile Times
Application – Now
To the Jewish People
To the Christians
I. WHAT PSALM 45 MEANT TO THE ORIGINAL AUDIENCE
A. Praise of the king (45:2–9)
The Psalmist begins with praises to the king.
Four pertinent aspects are selected in the praise:
The Psalmist praises
the King’s lips [v.2];
the king’s sword and arrow [v.3]
the king’s throne and scepter [v.6]
the king’s garments and palace [v.8]
These selected aspects are essential to a king’s dignity in the ancient near eastern world.
1. Psalm 45:2 [The King’s Lips]
2 You are the most excellent of men
and your lips have been anointed with grace,
since God has blessed you forever.
The “Lips” are a metaphor for a person’s orality
In English, when we say, “Your eyes are very sharp,” we mean “You are very observing.”
The descriptions of the king’s lips emphasizes his eloquence.
The king is eloquent because God has anointed his lips for with grace.
2. The King’s Sword [45:3]
3a Gird your sword upon your side, O mighty one;
The sword was part of the king’s attire in his wedding. The weapon symbolizes the king’s might and prowess in warfare.
The king’s ability to fight associates with his competency to rule.
One Egyptian royal document [ca 1900 BC] presents the king as one who brought order to kingdom by military might,
“I had assigned everything to its place. I subdued lions, I captured crocodiles, I repressed those of Wawat [aiyah, don’t know what], I captured the Medjai, I made the Asiatics do the dog walk.”
Thus, a well-ordered kingdom depends on a valiant king.
3. The King’s Royal Robe [Psalm 45:3b-5]
3b clothe yourself with splendor and majesty.
The king is to put on “splendor and majesty” and to “ride forth victoriously.
“Nations fall beneath your feet” [45:5b].
God will give the king victory, causing his foes to fall at his feet. God’s motive for subduing the other nations is to bring Justice & Righteousness to His created world as the King of kings.
4. The King is God’s Representative [45:6] The King is addressed as “God” [45:6] 6 Your throne, O God [elohim], will last for ever and ever; [v. 6a]
In verse 6, the king is addressed as “elohim” [God]
In Egypt and Mesopotamia, kings were often worshiped as gods. The ancient near eastern people referred to their king as “god.”
An Assyrian official wrote to his king,
“Man is a shadow of god’ … ‘The king is the perfect likeness of the god.”
In other words, only the king is regarded as the image of God; the ordinary people are just God’s shadow.
On this issue Genesis 1 corrects this distorted view by teaching that every human being is God’s image, not just the king.
Q: Why, then, is Israel’s king called “god”?
In Israel the king is adopted as God’s son according to God’s promise to David in 2 Samuel 7
14 I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him . . . [2 Samuel 7:14 ].
Thus, the Israelite king is regarded as a “son of God” by virtue of his adoption by God, and by his close relation to God.
As a Son of God, Israel’s king represents God in his reign
5. The king shall reflect God’s image in his rule [Psalm 45:4-6]
Now, we will hear the Polemic for the king in verse 4:
4 In your majesty ride forth victoriously in behalf of truth, humility and righteousness … a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom [45:4-6].
As God’s representative, the king is expected to exhibit four god-like virtues in his leadership – Truth, Humility, Righteousness and Justice.
These virtues shall deter Israel’s king from becoming corrupt, arrogant, and tyrannical in his conduct.
Humility will remind the king that as a ruler of the people, he is also a servant of God. He may win battles, but his victory is given by God.
“Righteousness” will guide the king to be upright in his reign, and steers him away from evil ways.
6. The King is Yahweh’s anointed servant.
7 You love justice and hate evil. For this reason God, your God has anointed you with the oil of joy, elevating you above your companions [45:7].
In verse 7 we read about the king’s anointing. As God is anointed by God to be His servant, He should love justice and hate evil, as God’s does.
B. Praise of the Royal Bride [45:10–15]
9 Daughters of kings are among your honored women;
The daughters of kings often played an important role in politics by cementing relationships between kingdoms through marriage.
In following king Solomon’s practice of marrying foreign wives, many Israelite kings also married foreign princesses.
at your right hand is the royal bride in gold of Ophir.
13b her gown is interwoven with gold.
14 In embroidered garments she is led to the king;
The princess is adorned in a gown of gold. The Psalmist praises the bride as she is led to the king. The Psalmist flatters her that the king is mesmerized by her beauty.
11 The king is enthralled by your beauty;
When the bride is elated, the psalmist gives a very important advice.
C. The Royal Bride Ought to Turn towards God and His People
At this point , we will hear the Polemic for the bride
10 Listen, O daughter, consider and give ear:
Forget your people and your father’s house.
In many ancient marriages, the brides are told to forget their families and countrymen. One Sumerian bridal song bids the young woman to regard her parents as a “strangers”.
To the Psalmist “Forget your people and your father’s house” is deter the bride from bringing her family’s gods to Israel.
Then, the Psalmist gives the bride a second advice …
Bow down to him, for he is your lord [v.11b] Literal translation NAS ESV 11b
Contexualized translations
NIV CJB 11b Honor him, for he is your lord.
NET After all he is your master! Submit to him!
The bride’s “bowing down” expresses her honor and submission. That is why many English versions clarify “honor him” and the NET, “submit to him”. The Psalmist desires the bride to submit to the king by following him in worshipping Yahweh.
Many foreign princesses did not submit to Israel’s kings in worshipping Yahweh. On the contrary, they influenced the kings to forsake Yahweh.
Jezebel was a Phoenician princess who came to Israel with her religion. Queen Jezebel served like a priestess to her national god, Baal. The worship of Baal worship became prevalent throughout Israel because of Jezebel’s influence.
“How can there be peace,” Commander Jehu replied [King Joram], “as long as all the idolatry and witchcraft of your mother Jezebel abound?” [2 Kings 9:22]
The queen mother Maacah also strongly promoted the worship of Asherah in Israel.
He [King Asa] even deposed his grandmother Maacah from her position as queen mother, because she had made a repulsive Asherah pole. Asa cut the pole down and burned it in the Kidron Valley [1 Kings 15:13].
Whereas in the case of Ruth, she told Naomi, her mother-in-law,
Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay.
Your people will be my people and your God my God [Ruth 1:16].
Ruth turned away from the worship of Molech, the god of Moab, to worship Yahweh, the God of Israel.
D. The Royal Couple Should Raise Sons to Perpetuate David’s Throne
To David, God had promised an Everlasting Throne:
13b and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.
16 Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.'” [2 Samuel 7:13b; 16]
So, the Psalmist stresses the importance of raising up good princes to the Royal couple in verse 16:
16 Your sons will take the place of your fathers;
you will make them princes throughout the land [Psalm 45:16].
However, the mother would frequently exert a greater influence on the princes than the father. Some queens had even tried to extinguish the hope of David’s eternal throne.
Queen Athaliah attempted to exterminate David’s family line.
10 When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she proceeded to destroy the whole royal family of the house of Judah [2 Chronicles 22:10].
In verse 16 the Psalmist expresses his desire for the bride to be a good mother who will teach and cultivate her sons to be good princes who would rule with truth, humility and righteousness, and justice.
II. APPPLICATIONS OF PSALM 45 THEN & NOW
Application of Psalm 45 THEN …
A. The Use of Psalm 45 During the Divided Kingdoms.
In the northern kingdom , Israel, there were 19 kings, and 9 different dynasties. All the kings were evil in God’s eyes. As they were entrenched in idolatry, the kings did not want any song that worships Yahweh for their wedding.
In the southern kingdom, Judah, there were 19 kings and 1 queen, Athaliah. All the kings descended from David’s line. There were only 8 kings, who did what was right in God’s eyes. Thus, Psalm 45 was a relevant song for their wedding.
These are the good kings of Judah who came after king Solomon: Jehoshaphat, Asa, Joash, Amaziah, Azariah, Jotham, Hezekiah, and Josiah.
B. The Use of Psalm 45 During the Exile & Post-Exilic Times
There was no king during and after the Exile. Zerubbabel was a Davidic descendent, but he was only a governor of the province of Judah. So, there was no royal wedding for Zerubabbel. The singing of Psalm 45 was not politically correct.
Thus, the Post-exilic community had to re-interpret Psalm 45:
First, they interpreted the wedding Song to depict the relationship between Yahweh and Israel. Yahweh is the king and Israel is His bride.
Second, the hope for the Everlasting Throne of David was cast on a future coming king – The Messiah. The Messiah, the Son of David, will re-establish throne. He will rule with truth, humility and righteousness, and justice.
C. The Use of Psalm 45 today by the Jewish People
1. In Judaism, the Jewish people will recite Psalm 45 as the “Song of the Day” on two Sabbath occasions: Shabbat Chayei Sarah [commemorating the life of Sarah]; and Shabbat Pekudei [Week 23 of Torah reading].
An example of Jewish teaching is Rabbi Baruch Korman’s sermon on Psalm 45, “The Messiah and His Bride” Video available on Youtube.
2.The Messianic Jews [Jewish Christians] will sing Psalm 45 to praise Jesus:
“You are my King and my God.” [45:6a]
“Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever,” [45:6b]
The eternal throne of David shall be fully realized when Christ returns to reign on earth.
D. The Use of Psalm 45 today by Christians
(Note that Psalm 45:6-7 is quoted in Hebrews 1:8-9 as referring to the Son)
Interpretation of Psalm 45 as Christology
Some preachers will apply Psalm 45 to King Jesus and His bride, the Church. Many details about the king and the bride are interpreted as references to Jesus and the Church.
An example is David Guzik’s sermon, “The Anointed King and His Bride.” Video available on Youtube.
Interpretation of Psalm 45 as End-Times Prophecy
Some preachers will teach Psalm 45 as prophecies about Jesus’ return as the King of kings.
An example is John Fesko’s sermon, “The Wedding Feast of the Lamb.” Video available on Youtube.
Now, I will share three ways which we may apply the Maskil of Psalm 45:
1. We can celebrate Psalm 45 alongside the Messianic Jews by praising Jesus.
We shall look forward to the Day when Jesus will return to rule with truth, humility and righteousness, and justice
2.We should cultivate the virtues of Truth, Humility, Righteousness and Justice in our living.
The virtues that the Psalmist expected of the king are also meant for everyone as God’s people. The Torah emphasizes those virtues for God’s people.
The prophet Micah asked the people of Judah,
8 And what does the LORD require of you?
Then he told them,
“To act justly and to love mercy and
to walk humbly with your God [Micah 6:8].
God’s moral will for Christians [His people in Christ] is for them to cultivate truth, righteousness, humility & justice. Many times in our strife to achieve peace, prosperity and progress, we may compromise truth, righteousness, humility and justice.
3. Husbands and wives should consider the Love-Submit precept in marriage.
In Psalm 45:11, the bride is called to submit to the king.
That idea of submission is not wholistic for Christians. In the NT, the Apostle Paul teaches a Love-Submit precept for the husbands and the wives.
Ephesians 5:21-28
21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
22 Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church …
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her… 28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.
In the USA, some churches disapprove the reading of Ephesians 5:21-31 passage in Christian wedding, because many husbands use the “Submission” teaching as a “club” to abuse their wives. Thus, that Bible passage has become a proof-text for wife-abuse.
The third point starts with the verb “consider” because I hope that you will examine carefully this Love-Submit precept to make it your own conviction.
I shall share six points to clarify Paul’s teaching the Love-Submit precept:
The wife’s submission to her husband should not be presented by itself without the emphasis on the husband’s love. Don’t teach the wife’s submission without teaching the husband’s love. [Two] The husband is to love his wife as Christ loved the church [v.25].
Christ loved the church with a sacrificial love [v.25b].
He gave Himself for her.
Marvin Tate’s testimony .
For over twenty-five years, my wife has suffered from a rare, chronic illness. Although through the years I tried to understand and comfort her, since I did not actually have the condition I could not really relate to her pain. So about thirteen years ago [2000], I decided to ask the Lord to allow me to get the same disease so that I could meaningfully identify with her. And the Lord answered that prayer. About two years later [2002] I was diagnosed with my wife’s rare condition. Now, I truly relate to her suffering and can better serve her.
That is an example of a husband loving his wife with a sacrificial love.
[Three] The husband is to love his wife as he loves himself [v.28].In 2011 there were two news headlines about husband and wife relationship that caught my attention.
Headline #1 A man beat wife in public for not obeying him.
The reporter showed pictures of a man slapping his wife’s head; punching her in the stomach; kicking her, and dragging her on the ground by pulling her hair.
No husband who loves his wife as himself would treat his spouse that way.
Headline #2 Husband’s strong love for wife with schizophrenia.
On the third date, the man’s girlfriend revealed, “I’m schizophrenic”; “I’m a patient of the Institute of Mental Health”. Despites knowing the scary and serious conditions of the lady, the man continued to develop the relationship, and later proposed to her.
In the marriage, the wife continued to battle with schizophrenia. She had to take 52 tablets daily. Occasionally, she had to undergo the Electro Convulsive Therapy to stablish her. The husband had to struggle between juggling work and caring for his wife. The stress was tremendous. In 2011, the couple celebrated their 37th Wedding Anniversary. The husband shared, “I will never walk away from taking care of my wife, because –one simple reason- I loved her deeply.”
[Four] The wife is to submit to her husband because he is the “head”.
In the Greco-Roman world the father has “potestas” [legal power] over his daughter, even after she is married. Unless, the father transfers the “potestas” of his daughter to her husband, the daughter will remain subordinate to her father. Thus, the Roman wives will not submit to their husbands unless they have the “potestas”.
Many people protest, “The headship of the husband is a cultural and a time-bound expectation. We are now living in the 21st century; and male headship in the family belongs to the dark-ages.
However, the Apostle Paul’s call for the wives’ submission is based on the Creation-Theology, not cultural anthropology. In the Creation account, Adam was created first. God held Adam responsible for disobeying His command, although his wife was the first to eat the fruit. So, in the book of Romans we read about “the disobedience of the one man [Adam]; the transgression of the one [Adam]; and “death reigned through that one man [Adam] [Rom. 5:17-19]. Adam, as the head, was accountable for the Fall. Thus, in view of the Creation account, Paul said that the husband is the head of the wife.
[Five] The wife is to submit as the church submits to Christ.God is not a despot. In the OT, He consulted his servants, on many occasions. Examples, after God had revealed His intention to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah to Abraham, He listened to Abraham’s negotiation to spare the city if ten righteous men could be found [Gen. 18:17-32]. God also accepted Moses’ rejection of His offer to wipe out the entire community and re-start a new nation through Moses [Num. 14: 11-20]. God listens to His servants.
Similarly, Christ is not a despot . The Church submits to Christ, because she knows that Christ is loving. She also knows that Christ loves her with a sacrificial love. In that understanding, the Bride has no fear or anxieties in submitting to Christ. That should be the attitude of submission.
[Six] The husband and wife are to submit to each other [v.21].Actually, Paul’s exhortation, “Husbands, love your wives” is a two-way precept. Although Paul did not say, “Wives, love your husbands,” it does not mean that wives are not to love their husbands. Love is mutual between the husband and the wife. Likewise, the submission is also mutual.
There are many matters where the wife will know better than the husbands; and vice versa. So, the husbands and wives ought to listen, respect and submit to each other.
Conclusion:
Psalm 45 is a Royal Wedding Song, especially for a king marrying a foreign princess who does not worship Yahweh. Nevertheless, the Maskil has some relevance for Christians.
Some possible applications of Psalm 45 are:
1. We can celebrate Psalm 45 alongside the Messianic Jews by praising Jesus .
Jesus will fulfills God’s promise of the Eternal Throne to David. His Kingdom shall endure forever.
2. We should cultivate the virtues of Truth, Humility, Righteousness and Justice.
This is God’s moral will for everyone.
3. Husband and wife should consider the Love-Submit precept for marital relationship.
May you carefully examine the love-submit teaching so that you may apply the precept with conviction.
