Psalm 45:1-7 - A Song Of Love"

Psalm 45 has a long title but does not tell us who the specific writer is. It was written by or for the “sons of Korah” and is another “maschil”, or “contemplation” Psalm. Which means it was written for instruction. It is also inscribed, "To the chief Musician set to the Lilies”. "A song of loves" identifies this as a marriage song, and "Shoshannim" (lilies) identifies the tune to which it was to be sung (see Psalms 60, 69, 80). The wedding was obviously that of a king (vv. 1, 11,14). Notice the mention of throne, scepter and majesty. Some have identified the king as Solomon, who married an Egyptian princess (1 Kings 3:1; 9:24). Others believe it could be Hezekiah, King of Judah. Remember Psalm 44 was possibly written during Hezekiah’s day when the Assyrian armies were threatening, and the land was full of apostasy, idolatry and false cults. It was a dismal and desperate time and the kingdom needed to be encouraged with a positive message. He finds a bride who is a godly lady and is the daughter of his best friend, Isaiah the Prophet. But for sure this very wonderful Psalm speaks of the second coming of Christ. This changes the tenor of the Psalms from the cry of a people in the anguish of tribulation to the glorious triumph of their coming King, as it is described in Revelation, chapter 19. Our Lord Jesus Christ spoke of it also (Matt. 24:29-30), and it is the hope of the world. But it's also clear that one "greater than Solomon" (Matt. 12:42) is present in this beautiful psalm, and that one is Jesus Christ, the King of kings. Hebrews 1:8-9 marks it as a Messianic psalm, so whatever may have been the historical use of this Psalm, the ultimate message is about Jesus Christ and His bride, the church (Eph. 5:23ff; Rev. 19:6-21; 22:17). I like what Charles Spurgeon said about this: “Some here see Solomon and Pharaoh's daughter only—they are short sighted; others see both Solomon and Christ—they are cross eyed; well-focused spiritual eyes see here Jesus only…” This is a song for the heart and from the heart of an inspired and excited writer. His heart was "bubbling over" with his theme, for it is the greatest theme in the universe: the glories of the Son of God. Jesus endured the cross "for the joy that was set before him" (Heb. 12:2), which was the joy of presenting His bride to the Father in glory (Judg. 14; John 17:24). It is the work of the Holy Spirit to glorify Jesus Christ in this world (John 16:14), and He inspired this writer to do just that. The King described in this psalm is both God (v. 6) and man (v. 2), and that can only be Jesus. The writer of Hebrews said it this way: “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone.” (Hebrews 2:9). It is my prayer that the LORD will enable us to “see Jesus” in this wonderful Psalm! God bless!