King James Version
Psalms 45
17 verses with commentary
A Wedding Song for the King
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. Maschil: or, of instruction is inditing: Heb. boileth, or, bubbleth up
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>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.</strong> This opening verse introduces one of Scripture's most explicitly messianic psalms, celebrating a royal wedding that ultimately points to Christ and His bride, the church. The psalmist (possibly one of the Sons of Korah, according to the superscript...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(1) **Inditing.**—A most unhappy rendering of a word, which, though only used here, must, from the meaning of its derivative (a “pot,” or “cauldron”), have something to do with a *liquid, *and means either to “boil over” or to “bubble up.” The LXX. and Vulg. have apparently thought of the bursting out of a fountain: *eructavit. *Symmachus has, “been set in motion.” The “spring,” or “fountain,” is ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
4-6. Their conduct evinces indifference rather than ignorance of God; for when He appears in judgment, they are stricken with great fear.
**who eat up my people--**to express their beastly fury (Pr 30:14; Ha 3:14). To "call on the Lord" is to worship Him.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 45
This psalm is a prophecy of Messiah the Prince, and points to him as a Bridegroom espousing the church to himself, and as a King ruling in it, and for it.
**Verses 1-5**
The psalmist's tongue was guided by the Spirit of God, as the pen is by the hand of a ready writer. This psalm is touching the King Jesus, his kingdom and government. It is a shame that this good matter is not...
Read full commentary →Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.</strong> This verse directly addresses the king (ultimately the Messiah), celebrating his surpassing beauty and gracious speech. The shift from third-person description (v.1) to second-person address creates intimacy, as the psalmist speaks directly to the king he celebrates.<...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(2) **Thou art fairer.**—Better, *Fair art thou; aye, fairer than, *&c. We may thus reproduce the Hebrew expression, which, however, grammatically explained, must convey this emphasis. The old versions render: “Thou art fair with beauty;” or, “Thou hast been made beautiful with beauty.”
**Grace is poured into thy lips.**—Better, *A flowing grace is on thy lips, *which may refer either to the beaut...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
4-6. Their conduct evinces indifference rather than ignorance of God; for when He appears in judgment, they are stricken with great fear.
**who eat up my people--**to express their beastly fury (Pr 30:14; Ha 3:14). To "call on the Lord" is to worship Him.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 45
This psalm is a prophecy of Messiah the Prince, and points to him as a Bridegroom espousing the church to himself, and as a King ruling in it, and for it.
**Verses 1-5**
The psalmist's tongue was guided by the Spirit of God, as the pen is by the hand of a ready writer. This psalm is touching the King Jesus, his kingdom and government. It is a shame that this good matter is not...
Read full commentary →Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty.
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KJV Study Commentary
The king is told to 'Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty.' The 'sword' represents royal authority to execute justice, while 'most mighty' (<em>gibbor</em>) is a divine title applied to the Davidic king. 'Thy glory and thy majesty' describe the splendor appropriate to God's anointed, anticipating Christ's return in power and glory.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(3) **Gird thy sword . . . O most mighty.**—Or, perhaps, *Gird on thy sword in hero guise; *or, *Gird on thy hero’s sword. *The object of the poet’s praise is as heroic in war as he is beautiful in person.
**With thy glory and thy majesty.**—This adverbial use of the accusatives may be right, but it seems better to take them in apposition with sword. His weapon was the monarch’s glory and pride. S...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**7. captivity--**denotes any great evil.
**Zion--**God's abode, from which He revealed His purposes of mercy, as He now does by the Church (compare Psa 3:4; 20:2), and which He rules and in which He does all other things for the good of His people (Ep 1:22).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 45
This psalm is a prophecy of Messiah the Prince, and points to him as a Bridegroom espousing the church to himself, and as a King ruling in it, and for it.
**Verses 1-5**
The psalmist's tongue was guided by the Spirit of God, as the pen is by the hand of a ready writer. This psalm is touching the King Jesus, his kingdom and government. It is a shame that this good matter is not...
Read full commentary →And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things. ride: Heb. prosper thou, ride thou
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KJV Study Commentary
The king rides prosperously 'because of truth and meekness and righteousness.' These virtues--truth, meekness, and righteousness--characterize the ideal ruler. His 'right hand shall teach thee terrible things,' indicating that justice, not mere power, guides his warfare. The king fights for moral causes, not mere conquest.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(4) **And in thy majesty.**—The repetition of this word from the last verse (conjunction included) is suspicious, especially as the LXX., followed by the Vulg., render, “Direct (thine arrows or thine aim”).
**Ride prosperously . . .**—Literally, *proceed, ride; *expressing, according to a common Hebrew usage, by two verbs what we express by adverb and verb.
**Because **of **. . .**—Better, *In beh...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 45
This psalm is a prophecy of Messiah the Prince, and points to him as a Bridegroom espousing the church to himself, and as a King ruling in it, and for it.
**Verses 1-5**
The psalmist's tongue was guided by the Spirit of God, as the pen is by the hand of a ready writer. This psalm is touching the King Jesus, his kingdom and government. It is a shame that this good matter is not...
Read full commentary →Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the king's enemies; whereby the people fall under thee.
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KJV Study Commentary
Sharp arrows pierce enemy hearts, causing peoples to fall beneath the king. The imagery of warfare serves justice: enemies 'fall under thee' because they oppose God's righteous cause. This martial language, applied to the Davidic king, anticipates Revelation's description of Christ conquering by the 'sword of his mouth.'
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(5) **Thine arrows.**—Our version has transposed the clauses of this verse. The original is more vivid.
“Thine arrows are sharpened—
The people under Thee fall—
Against the heart of the king’s enemies.”
The poet actually sees the battle raging before him.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
PSALM 15 Psa 15:1-5. Those who are fit for communion with God may be known by a conformity to His law, which is illustrated in various important particulars.
**1. abide--**or, "sojourn" (compare Psa 5:4), where it means under God's protection here, as (Psa 23:6, 27:4, 6) communion.
**tabernacle--**seat of the ark (2Sa 6:17), the symbol of God's presence.
**holy hill--**(Compare Psa 2:6).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 45
This psalm is a prophecy of Messiah the Prince, and points to him as a Bridegroom espousing the church to himself, and as a King ruling in it, and for it.
**Verses 1-5**
The psalmist's tongue was guided by the Spirit of God, as the pen is by the hand of a ready writer. This psalm is touching the King Jesus, his kingdom and government. It is a shame that this good matter is not...
Read full commentary →Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.</strong> This extraordinary verse addresses the king as 'God' (Elohim), language that no mere human monarch could legitimately receive but that perfectly fits the divine Messiah. Hebrews 1:8 quotes this verse as God the Father addressing God the Son, confirming its Christological interpretation and prov...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(6) **Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever.**—This is the rendering of the LXX., Vulg., and of the versions generally. But whether they supposed the words to be addressed to the Divine Being, or that the theocratic king is thus styled, is uncertain. The Christian use of the verse as applied to the Messiah (Hebrews 1:8, Note, *New Testament Commentary*) does not help us to explain how the monarc...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**2. walketh--**(Compare Psa 1:1).
**uprightly--**in a complete manner, as to all parts of conduct (Ge 17:1), not as to degree.
**worketh--**or, "does."
**righteousness--**what is right.
**in his heart--**sincerely (Pr 23:7).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-9**
The throne of this almighty King is established for ever. While the Holy Spirit leads Christ's people to look to his cross, he teaches them to see the evil of sin and the beauty of holiness; so that none of them can feel encouragement to continue in sin. The Mediator is God, else he had been neither able to do the Mediator's work, nor fit to wear the Mediator's crown. God the Fa...
Read full commentary →Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.</strong> This verse, quoted in Hebrews 1:9, describes the Messiah's moral character and consequent exaltation. His love for righteousness and hatred of wickedness distinguish Him from all others and result in unparalleled anointing and joy.<br><br>"Thou l...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(7) **The oil of gladness.**—Comp. “oil of joy,” Isaiah 61:3. Here too it may be merely employed as a figure of happiness, but the bath and, no doubt, subsequent anointing, formed part of the Oriental marriage proceedings. (See *Arabian Nights, passim.*)
**Fellows**—*i.e.*, the *paranymphs, *or attendants on the bridegroom.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
3. He neither slanders nor spreads slander.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-9**
The throne of this almighty King is established for ever. While the Holy Spirit leads Christ's people to look to his cross, he teaches them to see the evil of sin and the beauty of holiness; so that none of them can feel encouragement to continue in sin. The Mediator is God, else he had been neither able to do the Mediator's work, nor fit to wear the Mediator's crown. God the Fa...
Read full commentary →All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad.
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KJV Study Commentary
The remarkable declaration: 'All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad.' The precious fragrances and luxurious palace setting celebrate royal splendor. Hebrews 1:8-9 quotes the preceding verses as applying to Christ, making this description ultimately christological.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(8) **All thy garments smell of . . .**—Or, perhaps, from the last verse (and comparing Psalm 133:2, and the customs there referred to), *are anointed with. *The spices mentioned may have been ingredients of the “oil of gladness.”
**Myrrh . . . cassia.**—These spices formed part of the sacred oil described Exodus 30:23-24. On the other hand, for the custom of perfuming clothes, beds, &c, comp. Son...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
4. Love and hate are regulated by a regard to God.
**sweareth ... hurt--**or what so results (compare Le 5:4).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-9**
The throne of this almighty King is established for ever. While the Holy Spirit leads Christ's people to look to his cross, he teaches them to see the evil of sin and the beauty of holiness; so that none of them can feel encouragement to continue in sin. The Mediator is God, else he had been neither able to do the Mediator's work, nor fit to wear the Mediator's crown. God the Fa...
Read full commentary →Kings' daughters were among thy honourable women: upon thy right hand did stand the queen in gold of Ophir.
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KJV Study Commentary
The queen stands 'at thy right hand in gold of Ophir.' The position at the right hand indicates honor and shared authority. Ophir gold was the finest known, suggesting the queen's preciousness. Allegorically, the church as Christ's bride stands honored at His side, adorned with His righteousness.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(9) **Honourable women.**—Literally, *precious ones, i.e., *possibly the favourites of the harem. See Proverbs 6:26, where this word *precious *is used (comp. Jeremiah 31:20), or there may be an allusion to the costliness and magnificence of the harem rather than to affection for its inmates. Perhaps both senses are combined in the word, and we may compare Shakespeare’s
“*The jewels *of our father...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
5. (Compare Le 25:37; De 23:19, 20).
usury is derived from a verb meaning "to bite." All gains made by the wrongful loss of others are forbidden.
**taketh reward, &c.--**The innocent would not otherwise be condemned (compare Ex 23:8; De 16:19). Bribery of all sorts is denounced.
**doeth these, &c.--**Such persons admitted to God's presence and favor shall never be moved (Psa 10:6; 1...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-9**
The throne of this almighty King is established for ever. While the Holy Spirit leads Christ's people to look to his cross, he teaches them to see the evil of sin and the beauty of holiness; so that none of them can feel encouragement to continue in sin. The Mediator is God, else he had been neither able to do the Mediator's work, nor fit to wear the Mediator's crown. God the Fa...
Read full commentary →Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy father's house;
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy father's house;</strong> This verse shifts focus from the king (vv.1-9) to the bride (vv.10-15), addressing her directly with counsel for entering this royal marriage. The language evokes both historical royal weddings and the spiritual reality of the church as Christ's bride.<br><br>"Hearken, O...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(10) **Hearken.**—The address now turns to the bride.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 10-17**
If we desire to share these blessings, we must hearken to Christ's word. We must forget our carnal and sinful attachments and pursuits. He must be our Lord as well as our Saviour; all idols must be thrown away, that we may give him our whole heart. And here is good encouragement, thus to break off from former alliances. The beauty of holiness, both on the church and on particu...
Read full commentary →So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for he is thy Lord; and worship thou him.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for he is thy Lord; and worship thou him.</strong> This verse reveals the blessed consequence of the bride's forsaking her former life (v.10): the king's delight in her. It also establishes the nature of their relationship—he is Lord, and she owes him worship—foreshadowing Christ's relationship with His church.<br><br>"So shall the king greatly ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(11) **Worship thou him.**—Literally, *Bow down or prostrate thyself.*
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
PSALM 16 Psa 16:1-11. Michtam, or, by the change of one letter, Michtab--a "writing," such as a poem or song (compare Is 38:9). Such a change of the letter m for b was not unusual. The position of this word in connection with the author's name, being that usually occupied by some term, such as Psalm or song, denoting the style or matter of the composition, favors this view of its meaning, though w...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 10-17**
If we desire to share these blessings, we must hearken to Christ's word. We must forget our carnal and sinful attachments and pursuits. He must be our Lord as well as our Saviour; all idols must be thrown away, that we may give him our whole heart. And here is good encouragement, thus to break off from former alliances. The beauty of holiness, both on the church and on particu...
Read full commentary →And the daughter of Tyre shall be there with a gift; even the rich among the people shall intreat thy favour. favour: Heb. face
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KJV Study Commentary
The 'daughter of Tyre' shall bring gifts, and 'the rich among the people shall intreat thy favour.' Foreign royalty and wealthy citizens seek relationship with the bride because of her connection to the king. Her honor derives from his, anticipating how the church's glory derives from Christ's.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(12) **And the daughter of Tyre**—*i.e.*, Tyre itself and the Tyrians. (See Note Psalm 9:14.) Render,
The Tyrians with a gift entreat thy favour,
The rich ones of the people.
The objection that Tyre was never subject to Israel is not conclusive, since the gifts may be complimentary presents, such as Hiram sent to Solomon, not tribute. (See next Note.)
**Entreat thy favour.**—Literally, *stroke thy...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**2. my soul--**must be supplied; expressed in similar cases (Psa 42:5, 11).
**my goodness ... thee--**This obscure passage is variously expounded. Either one of two expositions falls in with the context. "My goodness" or merit is not on account of Thee--that is, is not for Thy benefit. Then follows the contrast of Psa 16:3 (but is), in respect, or for the saints, &c.--that is, it enures to ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 10-17**
If we desire to share these blessings, we must hearken to Christ's word. We must forget our carnal and sinful attachments and pursuits. He must be our Lord as well as our Saviour; all idols must be thrown away, that we may give him our whole heart. And here is good encouragement, thus to break off from former alliances. The beauty of holiness, both on the church and on particu...
Read full commentary →The king's daughter is all glorious within: her clothing is of wrought gold.
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KJV Study Commentary
The king's daughter is 'all glorious within,' her clothing 'of wrought gold.' Internal glory precedes external adornment. The 'wrought gold' clothing represents costly beauty, but the emphasis on being 'glorious within' suggests moral and spiritual beauty as the foundation.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(13) **The king’s daughter is all glorious within**—*i.e.*, in the interior, in the inner room of the palace. The next clause would alone dismiss the reference to moral qualities from which has sprung such a wealth of mystic interpretation. But what palace is intended? Certainly not that of the royal bridegroom, since the procession (see Psalm 45:14) has not yet reached its destination. We must th...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**3. saints--**or, persons consecrated to God, set apart from others to His service.
**in the earth--**that is, land of Palestine, the residence of God's chosen people--figuratively for the Church.
**excellent--**or, "nobles," distinguished for moral excellence.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 10-17**
If we desire to share these blessings, we must hearken to Christ's word. We must forget our carnal and sinful attachments and pursuits. He must be our Lord as well as our Saviour; all idols must be thrown away, that we may give him our whole heart. And here is good encouragement, thus to break off from former alliances. The beauty of holiness, both on the church and on particu...
Read full commentary →She shall be brought unto the king in raiment of needlework: the virgins her companions that follow her shall be brought unto thee.
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KJV Study Commentary
The bride is 'brought unto the king in raiment of needlework' with 'virgins her companions' following her. The processional image captures the joy and honor of being presented to the king. The companions share in her joy, anticipating the church's presentation to Christ without spot or wrinkle.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(14) **In raiment of** **needlework.**—This is now more generally understood of rich tapestry carpets spread for the procession. (Comp. Æsch. *Agam. *908-910.)
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
4. He expresses his abhorrence of those who seek other sources of happiness or objects of worship, and, by characterizing their rites by drink offerings of blood, clearly denotes idolaters. The word for "sorrows" is by some rendered "idols"; but, though a similar word to that for idols, it is not the same. In selecting such a term, there may be an allusion, by the author, to the sorrows produced b...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 10-17**
If we desire to share these blessings, we must hearken to Christ's word. We must forget our carnal and sinful attachments and pursuits. He must be our Lord as well as our Saviour; all idols must be thrown away, that we may give him our whole heart. And here is good encouragement, thus to break off from former alliances. The beauty of holiness, both on the church and on particu...
Read full commentary →With gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought: they shall enter into the king's palace.
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KJV Study Commentary
They are brought 'with gladness and rejoicing' and 'shall enter into the king's palace.' The joy is corporate and overflowing; the destination is the king's own dwelling. Entry into the palace represents full acceptance into the king's presence, household, and inheritance.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
5-7. God is the chief good, and supplies all need (De 10:9).
**portion of mine inheritance and of my cup--**may contain an allusion to the daily supply of food, and also to the inheritance of Levi (De 18:1, 2).
**maintainest--**or, drawest out my lot--enlargest it. Psa 16:7 carries out this idea more fully.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 10-17**
If we desire to share these blessings, we must hearken to Christ's word. We must forget our carnal and sinful attachments and pursuits. He must be our Lord as well as our Saviour; all idols must be thrown away, that we may give him our whole heart. And here is good encouragement, thus to break off from former alliances. The beauty of holiness, both on the church and on particu...
Read full commentary →Instead of thy fathers shall be thy children, whom thou mayest make princes in all the earth.
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KJV Study Commentary
The promise of dynasty: 'Instead of thy fathers shall be thy children, whom thou mayest make princes in all the earth.' The king's lineage will extend and exceed what came before. His descendants will rule not just locally but globally. This transcends any historical Davidic king, finding fulfillment in Christ's eternal kingdom.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(16) **Whom thou mayest make princes.**—Historical illustrations have been found in 1Kings 22:26, where Joash, David’s son, appears as a governor or a prince of a city (comp. Zephaniah 1:8), and in the division of his realm into principalities by Solomon. (1Kings 4:7.)
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
5-7. God is the chief good, and supplies all need (De 10:9).
**portion of mine inheritance and of my cup--**may contain an allusion to the daily supply of food, and also to the inheritance of Levi (De 18:1, 2).
**maintainest--**or, drawest out my lot--enlargest it. Psa 16:7 carries out this idea more fully.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 10-17**
If we desire to share these blessings, we must hearken to Christ's word. We must forget our carnal and sinful attachments and pursuits. He must be our Lord as well as our Saviour; all idols must be thrown away, that we may give him our whole heart. And here is good encouragement, thus to break off from former alliances. The beauty of holiness, both on the church and on particu...
Read full commentary →I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations: therefore shall the people praise thee for ever and ever.
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KJV Study Commentary
The psalmist promises to 'make thy name to be remembered in all generations.' The result: 'the people shall praise thee for ever and ever.' The king's fame will not fade but endure eternally through praise. This eternal remembrance finds fulfillment only in Christ, whose name is above every name.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
5-7. God is the chief good, and supplies all need (De 10:9).
**portion of mine inheritance and of my cup--**may contain an allusion to the daily supply of food, and also to the inheritance of Levi (De 18:1, 2).
**maintainest--**or, drawest out my lot--enlargest it. Psa 16:7 carries out this idea more fully.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 10-17**
If we desire to share these blessings, we must hearken to Christ's word. We must forget our carnal and sinful attachments and pursuits. He must be our Lord as well as our Saviour; all idols must be thrown away, that we may give him our whole heart. And here is good encouragement, thus to break off from former alliances. The beauty of holiness, both on the church and on particu...
Read full commentary →