Messiah the Mighty One appearing as King and Bridegroom

This, writes one, is “an epithalamium,” that is a wedding hymn between Christ and the church. Notice its title is a “Song of loves,” which gives it a direct affinity to the Song of Songs of Solomon. Indeed, Solomon’s epic poem is built upon this foundational song of his father, David.

David, in v. 1, writes from a full heart. The phrase, “inditing a good matter,” literally means, ‘to boil up,’ bubbling up an ebullition of feelings or content. This is the result of contemplating the glory and majesty of Christ. David becomes the pen of a ready writer, as he is moved by the Holy Spirit to compose this eulogy of the greatness and the blessedness and beauty of the church.

The first half describes Christ, and the second the beauty and desirability of the Church dressed in His finished work and reflecting His glory. She is to forget her father’s house, and separate herself from the world and anything that would distract from her duty and love to her bridegroom and king. Anything that steals our hearts, loyalty and love to Christ is to be shunned. 

Psalm 45 - Second Version

   1     My heart inditing is
         good matter in a song:
      I speak the things that I have made,
         which to the King belong:

         My tongue shall be as quick,
         his hoour to indite,
      As is the pen of any scribe
         that useth fast to write.

   2     Thou'rt fairest of all men;
         grace in thy lips doth flow:
      And therefore blessings evermore
         on thee doth God bestow.

   3     Thy sword gird on thy thigh,
         thou that art most of might:
      Appear in dreadful majesty,
         and in thy glory bright.

   4     For meekness, truth, and right,
         ride prosp'rously in state;
      And thy right hand shall teach to thee
         things terrible and great.

   5     Thy shafts shall pierce their hearts
         that foes are to the King;
      Whereby into subjection
         the people thou shalt bring.

   6     Thy royal seat, O Lord,
         for ever shall remain:
      The scepter of thy kingdom doth
         all righteousness maintain.

   7     Thou lov'st right, and hat'st ill;
         for God, thy God, most high,
      Above thy fellows hath with th' oil
         of joy anointed thee.

   8     Of myrrh and spices sweet
         a smell thy garments had,
      Out of the iv'ry palaces,
         whereby they made thee glad.

   9     And in thy glorious train
         kings' daughters waiting stand;
      And thy fair queen, in Ophir gold,
         doth stand at thy right hand.

  10     O daughter, take good heed,
         incline, and give good ear;
      Thou must forget thy kindred all,
         and father's house most dear.

  11     Thy beauty to the King
         shall then delightful be:
      And do thou humbly worship him,
         because thy Lord is he.

  12     The daughter then of Tyre
         there with a gift shall be,
      And all the wealthy of the land
         shall make their suit to thee.

  13     The daughter of the King
         all glorious is within;
      And with embroideries of gold
         her garments wrought have been.

  14     She cometh to the King
         in robes with needle wrought;
      The virgins that do follow her
         shall unto thee be brought.

  15     They shall be brought with joy,
         and mirth on ev'ry side,
      Into the palace of the King,
         and there they shall abide.

  16     And in thy fathers' stead,
         thy children thou may'st take,
      And in all places of the earth
         them noble princes make.

  17     I will show forth thy name
         to generations all:
      Therefore the people evermore
         to thee give praises shall.