Catholic Commentary on Psalm 45

"All glorious is the princess within her chamber; her gown is interwoven with gold." (Psalm 45:13)

The Royal Wedding Psalm

Psalm 45 is unique in the Psalter: it is a wedding song, written for the marriage of a king. The poet begins: 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. He addresses first the king and then the bride, celebrating the beauty of each and the glory of the union. The king is described in extraordinary terms: you are the most excellent of men, grace is poured on your lips, therefore God has blessed you forever. His sword is at his thigh, his arrows are sharp, he rides in behalf of truth, humility, and justice.

The Letter to the Hebrews quotes verse 8 directly as referring to the Son of God: Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom. 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 of Psalm 45 exceeds all human kings; he is addressed as God, his throne is eternal, and he is anointed above all others. The Church Fathers uniformly read this as a Christological psalm.

The Bride

The second half of the psalm addresses the queen: forget your people and your father's house, for the king is enthralled by your beauty; honour him, for he is your lord. The Church has read the bride throughout history as both the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Church herself. Mary is the queen who stands at the right hand of the king in gold of Ophir, the most perfectly responsive creature to the Son of God. The Church is the bride who leaves her former way of life to be united to the king. Both readings are faithful to the typological richness of the psalm.

Living the Word

Brothers and sisters, Psalm 45 speaks of a love between the king and his bride that exceeds every earthly marriage in its beauty and permanence. This love is the model of Christ's love for the Church and for each soul. You are the one the king is enthralled by. Your beauty in his eyes is the beauty of being made in his image, restored by his grace. He has called you to himself. Honour him, for he is your Lord.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, most excellent among all, grace is poured on your lips and your throne is eternal. Draw us to yourself as the bride to the king. Make us glorious within, woven through with the gold of your grace. Let your name be praised in every generation. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

45
My Heart Is Stirred by a Noble Theme
(1 Kings 3:1–15; 2 Chronicles 1:1–13; Psalms 72:1–20)
For the choirmaster. To the tune of “The Lilies.” A Maskil * 45:0 Maskil is probably a musical or liturgical term; used for Psalms 32, 42, 44–45, 52–55, 74, 78, 88–89, and 142. of the sons of Korah. A love song.
 
1 My heart is stirred by a noble theme
as I recite my verses to the king;† 45:1 Or King; here and throughout Psalm 45
my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer.
2 You are the most handsome of men;
grace has anointed your lips,
since God has blessed you forever.
3 Strap your sword at your side, O mighty warrior;
appear in your majesty and splendor.
4 In your splendor ride forth in victory
on behalf of truth and humility and justice;
may your right hand show your awesome deeds.
5 Your arrows pierce the hearts of the king’s foes;
the nations fall beneath your feet.
 
6 Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever,
and justice is the scepter of Your kingdom.
7 You have loved righteousness
and hated wickedness;
therefore God, your God, has anointed you
above your companions with the oil of joy.‡ 45:7 Cited in Hebrews 1:8–9
 
8 All your garments are fragrant
with myrrh and aloes and cassia;
from palaces of ivory the harps make you glad.
9 The daughters of kings are among your honored women;
the queen stands at your right hand,
adorned with the gold of Ophir.
 
10 Listen, O daughter! Consider and incline your ear:
Forget your people and your father’s house,
11 and the king will desire your beauty;
bow to him, for he is your lord.
12 The Daughter of Tyre will come with a gift;
men of wealth will seek your favor.
 
13 All glorious is the princess in her chamber;
her gown is embroidered with gold.
14 In colorful garments she is led to the king;
her virgin companions are brought before you.
15 They are led in with joy and gladness;
they enter the palace of the king.
 
16 Your sons will succeed your fathers;
you will make them princes throughout the land.
17 I will commemorate your name through all generations;
therefore the nations will praise you forever and ever.

*^ 45:0 Maskil is probably a musical or liturgical term; used for Psalms 32, 42, 44–45, 52–55, 74, 78, 88–89, and 142.

†45:1 45:1 Or King; here and throughout Psalm 45

‡45:7 45:7 Cited in Hebrews 1:8–9

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