King James Version

What Does Psalms 45:7 Mean?

Psalms 45:7 in the King James Version says “Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness ab...” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 45 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.”

Psalms 45:7 · KJV

Context

5

Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the king's enemies; whereby the people fall under thee.

6

Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.

7

Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

8

All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad.

9

Kings' daughters were among thy honourable women: upon thy right hand did stand the queen in gold of Ophir.

Read Psalms 45 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. 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.

"Thou lovest righteousness" (אָהַבְתָּ צֶּדֶק/ahavta tzedeq) indicates not mere approval of righteousness but passionate love for it. Christ's righteousness isn't grudging obedience or external conformity but delightful alignment with God's perfect will. He said, 'I do always those things that please him' (John 8:29) and 'My meat is to do the will of him that sent me' (John 4:34). Righteousness was His sustenance, delight, and consuming passion.

"And hatest wickedness" (וַתִּשְׂנָא רֶשַׁע/vatisna resha) reveals the flip side: intense hatred of evil. This isn't mere dislike but righteous indignation, holy abhorrence. Jesus demonstrated this hatred when cleansing the temple (John 2:13-17), denouncing religious hypocrisy (Matthew 23), and rebuking Satan (Matthew 16:23). Perfect love for good requires perfect hatred for evil—they're inseparable.

"Therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee" (עַל־כֵּן מְשָׁחֲךָ אֱלֹהִים אֱלֹהֶיךָ/al-ken meshachakha Elohim Elohekha) reveals the consequence: divine anointing. Mashach (anointed) gives us 'Messiah' (Hebrew) and 'Christ' (Greek)—the Anointed One. The remarkable phrase 'God, thy God' indicates the king himself is divine (addressed as 'God' in v.6) yet has a God—the Father anoints the Son, affirming both deity and the interpersonal relationship within the Trinity.

"With the oil of gladness" (שֶׁמֶן שָׂשׂוֹן/shemen sason) describes the anointing's character: joy, gladness, exultation. This surpasses the olive oil used to anoint Israel's priests and kings; it represents the Spirit's anointing (Isaiah 61:1-3) that brings joy. Christ's obedience, though it led through suffering, ultimately resulted in joy: 'for the joy that was set before him endured the cross' (Hebrews 12:2).

"Above thy fellows" (מֵחֲבֵרֶיךָ/mechaverekha) establishes Christ's supremacy. He is anointed above all others—above prophets, priests, and kings; above angels and all creation. This unique anointing reflects His unique person (God-man), unique work (perfect obedience and atoning sacrifice), and unique position (exalted to God's right hand).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Anointing with oil was central to Old Testament practice. Priests were anointed (Exodus 29:7), kings were anointed (1 Samuel 16:13), and occasionally prophets were anointed (1 Kings 19:16). The anointing consecrated them to God's service and symbolized the Spirit's empowerment. Yet all these anointings were types pointing to the ultimate Anointed One, the Messiah.

Isaiah 61:1-3 prophesies the Messiah's anointing: 'The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings.' Jesus applied this to Himself in Luke 4:18-21, declaring 'This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.' His anointing surpassed all others because He received the Spirit 'without measure' (John 3:34).

The phrase 'God, thy God' is theologically remarkable. It distinguishes persons within the Godhead while affirming their unity. The Son is God (v.6) yet has a God (the Father). This anticipates Trinitarian theology: one God eternally existing in three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Father anoints the Son with the Spirit.

Church history's Christological controversies grappled with texts like this. How can the king be both 'God' (v.6) and have 'thy God' (v.7)? Orthodox theology answered: Christ is fully God and fully man. As God, He is eternal, uncreated, equal with the Father. As man (incarnate), He relates to the Father as 'thy God.' The two natures—divine and human—unite in one person without mixture or confusion.

The 'oil of gladness' connects to Christ's resurrection joy. After enduring the cross, despising its shame, He sat down at God's right hand (Hebrews 12:2). His exaltation brought supreme joy—not merely relief from suffering but triumphant joy in accomplishing redemption, conquering death, and receiving His inheritance.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Christ's love for righteousness and hatred of wickedness challenge worldly tolerance that refuses to condemn any behavior?
  2. What does the phrase 'God, thy God' teach about the relationship between Father and Son within the Trinity?
  3. How should Christ being anointed 'above thy fellows' affect our understanding of His uniqueness and supremacy over all religious leaders and teachers?
  4. In what ways does Christ's anointing with 'the oil of gladness' demonstrate that true joy comes through righteousness, not through compromise with evil?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
אָהַ֣בְתָּ1 of 12

“Thou lovest”

H157

to have affection for (sexually or otherwise)

צֶּדֶק֮2 of 12

“righteousness”

H6664

the right (natural, moral or legal); also (abstractly) equity or (figuratively) prosperity

וַתִּשְׂנָ֫א3 of 12

“and hatest”

H8130

to hate (personally)

רֶ֥שַׁע4 of 12

“wickedness”

H7562

a wrong (especially moral)

עַל5 of 12
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

כֵּ֤ן׀6 of 12
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

מְשָׁחֲךָ֡7 of 12

“hath anointed”

H4886

to rub with oil, i.e., to anoint; by implication, to consecrate; also to paint

אֱ֭לֹהֶיךָ8 of 12

“therefore God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

אֱ֭לֹהֶיךָ9 of 12

“therefore God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

שֶׁ֥מֶן10 of 12

“thee with the oil”

H8081

grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness

שָׂשׂ֗וֹן11 of 12

“of gladness”

H8342

cheerfulness; specifically, welcome

מֵֽחֲבֵרֶֽךָ׃12 of 12

“above thy fellows”

H2270

an associate

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Psalms 45:7 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Psalms 45:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Hebrews 1:9Psalms 21:6Isaiah 61:1-3Psalms 33:5Ephesians 1:3Colossians 1:18-19

Test Your Knowledge

Psalms 45 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterPsalms Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Psalms 45 with CommentaryAll Psalms ChaptersComplete Psalms QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes