Psalm 45, A Wedding Song

Here is a praise song that might be sung at the wedding of the king and one of his brides.

For the director of music. To [the tune of]"Lilies." Of the Sons of Korah. A maskil. A wedding song.

We don't know what a maskil is, nor do we know the song "Lilies." 

Psalm 45: 1-2, A noble theme

 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, 

since God has blessed you forever.

The writer is excited to get a chance to praise the king. He writes a song for the majesty of the wedding of the king and a princess.

Psalm 45: 3-6, Scepter of justice

 Gird your sword upon your side, O mighty one; 

clothe yourself with splendor and majesty.

 In your majesty ride forth victoriously 

in behalf of truth, humility and righteousness; 

let your right hand display awesome deeds.

 Let your sharp arrows pierce the hearts of the king's enemies; 

let the nations fall beneath your feet.

 Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; 

a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.

The king, leader of his nation's military, is prepared to ride out in victory and truth.  In the last verse, the one who has the scepter of truth has morphed into a statement about God. The eternal dynasty of David has become the eternal dynasty of God. (Surely this passage looks forward to the Messiah.)

Psalm 45: 7-9, Lover of righteousness

 You love righteousness and hate wickedness; 

therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions 

by anointing you with the oil of joy.

The king has many attributes of God; he loves righteousness and hates wickedness and is thus worthy to be God's representative.

Psalm 45: 7-9, Fragrant robes

 All your robes are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia;

 from palaces adorned with ivory the music of the strings makes you glad.

 Daughters of kings are among your honored women; 

at your right hand is the royal bride in gold of Ophir.

The song turns to praise the beauty of the palace and clothes.  And the women who will be there.  One of them is the bride.... (Ophir is a source of gold during Solomon's reign. See 1 Kings 9: 26-28.)

The descriptions of a royal wedding, with gold from Ophir, fit naturally into the time of Solomon's reign.

Psalm 45: 10-16, Promises to the bride

 Listen, O daughter, consider and give ear: 

Forget your people and your father's house.

The king is enthralled by your beauty;

honor him, for he is your lord.

 The Daughter of Tyre will come with a gift,

men of wealth will seek your favor.

 All glorious is the princess within [her chamber]; 

her gown is interwoven with gold.

 In embroidered garments she is led to the king; 

her virgin companions follow her and are brought to you.

 They are led in with joy and gladness; 

they enter the palace of the king.

 Your sons will take the place of your fathers; 

you will make them princes throughout the land.

The bride is told of all the blessings she will have as the king's wife.  She will have his praise and attention and many gifts.  Furthermore (in her role as mother) she will raise sons as princes, as future rulers impacting the nations of the world.

It is possible that the last verse ("Your sons...") is addressed to the king; Troyer says that the personal pronounces (translated "you" and "your" here) are masculine.

Psalm 45: 17, Remembered for all generations

 I will perpetuate your memory through all generations; 

therefore the nations will praise you for ever and ever.

The singer exults in a dynasty that will be eternal, mixing his pleasure in a royal wedding with a Messianic suggestion of an eternal kingdom.