Psalm 45

A wedding song. How out of place this looks at first glance! Yet the psalm tells the story of Messiah dressed as the bridegroom, coming for His bride. Without that realization, Psalm 45 makes no sense. Even with that realization it is sometimes hard to follow the storyline. It helps to know that the wedding celebration of ancient times began with the groom leaving his own house and parading to his bride's home, bringing her out, then parading back to the groom's home where the weeklong party would take place. Psalm 45 is written almost in play-by-play fashion.

After a verse of introduction, the narrator addresses the groom -- the most excellent of men, blessed by God forever. The description in verse 4 is of one riding "in behalf of truth, humility and righteousness." What a great summary of the Christian life.

The attention turns to the bride in verse 10, with words of advice for her. She is brought out to meet her betrothed for the return trip. The final two verses concern the legacy of the groom -- "the nations will praise you for ever and ever."

No one knows for whom the psalm was written originally. The psalmist certainly didn't understand all the parallels within the text. The adjectives seem to speak of Solomon, with all the mentions of riches and splendor, but we don't know for sure. However the allusions to Christ are much easier to spot from our position on this side of the cross.