The Holy Love Song

Psalm 45

I. A Love Song Follows

A. The psalmist’s heart bubbled with the love story he was about to celebrate with the best skills at his command. “To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim, for the sons of Korah, Maschil, A Song of loves. My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer.” (Psalm 45:1) Shoshannim is a lily or six-string instrument decorated with lilies. Inditing refers to bubbling with enthusiasm.

B. Christ [the Messiah King] is more appealing in every respect than all other people. “Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.” (Psalm 45:2)

C. The Book of Hebrews identifies the Lord as the Son of God and King who brings eternal joy. “But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of thy kingdom. Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.” (Hebrews 1:8-9)

II. The King Appears in Glory

A. Christ cannot be praised too highly; His virtues triumph. “Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty. And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things.” (Psalm 45:3-4)

B. Ultimate power over all opposition appears in King Jesus. “Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the king’s enemies; whereby the people fall under thee. Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the scepter of thy kingdom is a right scepter.” (Psalm 45:5-6) “Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.” (Psalm 2:6)

C. Absolute justice both loves and hates, producing exquisite joy. “Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad.” (Psalm 45:7-8)

D. The church stands in derivative majesty beside the King. “Kings’ daughters were among thy honourable women: upon thy right hand did stand the queen in gold of Ophir.” (Psalm 45:9)

III. The Bride of Christ Is the Church

A. What awaits the Bride of Christ is far above all that came before; pay attention to Him. “Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy father’s house;” (Psalm 45:10) A bride must be separated to her husband.

B. Separation to Him makes the bride desirable and attractive to the King. “So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for he is thy Lord; and worship thou him. And the daughter of Tyre shall be there with a gift; even the rich among the people shall entreat thy favour.” (Psalm 45:11-12) Note the mystical union which exists between Christ and His church.

C. The church which has suffered and been degraded in the world will be grand beyond imagination when brought to the eternal wedding day. “The king’s daughter is all glorious within: her clothing is of wrought gold. She shall be brought unto the king in raiment of needlework: the virgins her companions that follow her shall be brought unto thee. With gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought: they shall enter into the king’s palace.” (Psalm 45:13-15)

1. Believers face the future with the anticipation of an happy bride. “I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.” (Isaiah 61:10)

2. Christ has made the church His own with all the rights, benefits, and pleasures which accompany the wedding. “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:” (1 Peter 2:9)

3. Behold the happy bride in her white dress. “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.” (Revelation 19:7-8)

D. The future of the bride of Christ grows progressively more wonderful. “Instead of thy fathers shall be thy children, whom thou mayest make princes in all the earth. I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations: therefore shall the people praise thee for ever and ever.” (Psalm 45:16-17) As long as time shall last, the true apostolic succession will flourish.