WEDDING SONG

WEDDING SONG

“To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim, for the sons of Korah, Maschil, A Song of loves. My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer.” Psa. 45:1

The beauty of this Psalm is universally recognized. It is always treated as celebrating a royal wedding The title refers to it as "A Song of Loves." Rotherham gives "A royal marriage," as descriptive title; and Kirkpatrick calls it "A nuptial ode." All these descriptions are justified by the context. Nevertheless, its high note is given in the words we have emphasized. The first verse consists of the writer's introduction to his song and in these particular words he gives us the subject on which he wrote. He was speaking of "Things . . . touching the king"; and there is more in the Psalm than the wedding. Here again opinions differ as to the particular king to whom reference was made. From the earliest times it has been considered as definitely Messianic; and that by Jewish, as well as Christian expositors. In that way we may study it most profitably. What, then, are the things touching the king which it celebrates? We will endeavor to tabulate them: (1) His beauty and grace of character (vs. 2). (2) His equipment and purpose in conflict (vv. 3, 4). (3) His power in conflict (vs. 5). (4) His victory, and consequent enthronement and glory (vv. 6-8). (5) His consort, her devotion, her beauty, her companions (vv. 9-15). (6) His seed-royal, reigning in the earth (vs. 16). (7) His complete triumph (vs. 17). Perhaps nowhere in Old Testament writings do we find a nearer approach to the disclosure of the secret of the Church than in this Psalm. It remained, however, a secret (see Eph. 3:4, 5; Col. 1:26, 27). For us, in the light of the complete unveiling of God's plans and purposes through Christ, this song is full of beauty and value.