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 - First Version

   1  My heart brings forth a goodly thing;
         my words that I indite
      Concern the King: my tongue's a pen
         of one that swift doth write.

   2  Thou fairer art than sons of men:
         into thy lips is store
      Of grace infused; God therefore thee
         hath blessed for evermore.

   3  O thou that art the mighty One,
         thy sword gird on thy thigh;
      Ev'n with thy glory excellent,
         and with thy majesty.

   4  For meekness, truth, and righteousness,
         in state ride prosp'rously;
      And thy right hand shall thee instruct
         in things that fearful be.

   5  Thine arrows sharply pierce the heart
         of th' en'mies of the King;
      And under thy subjection
         the people down do bring.

   6  For ever and for ever is,
         O God, thy throne of might;
      The scepter of thy kingdom is
         a scepter that is right.

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

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

   9  Among thy women honorable
         kings' daughters were at hand:
      Upon thy right hand did the queen
         in gold of Ophir stand.

  10  O daughter, hearken and regard,
         and do thine ear incline;
      Likewise forget thy father's house,
         and people that are thine.

  11  Then of the King desired shall be
         thy beauty veh'mently:
      Because he is thy Lord, do thou
         him worship rev'rently.

  12  The daughter there of Tyre shall be
         with gifts and off 'rings great:
      Those of the people that are rich
         thy favor shall entreat.

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

  14  She shall be brought unto the King
         in robes with needle wrought;
      Her fellow-virgins following
         shall unto thee be brought.

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

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

  17  Thy name remembered I will make
         through ages all to be:
      The people therefore evermore
         shall praises give to thee.


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