The King's Glory
Study note
The psalmist's heart overflows with a noble theme about the king. The king is described as the most handsome of men, a mighty warrior riding for truth and justice. His throne is eternal, and his robes are fragrant.
1 My heart is bubbling over with a beautiful theme as I speak words fit for the king. My tongue moves like the pen of a master writer. 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.
2 You are the most handsome of all people. Grace flows from every word you speak, because God has blessed you for all time. Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.
3 Strap your sword to your side, mighty warrior — along with all your glory and majesty. Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty.
4 Ride out in your majesty and win the day for truth, for humility, and for what is right. Let your powerful right hand show you amazing things. And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things.
5 Your arrows fly straight and sharp, sinking into the hearts of the king's enemies. Entire nations collapse at your feet. Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the king's enemies; whereby the people fall under thee.
6 Your throne, O God, stands forever and ever. Your kingdom is ruled with a scepter of perfect justice. Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.
7 You are passionate about what is right and hate what is wrong. Therefore God — your God — has poured the oil of celebration over you, lifting you above everyone around you. Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
8 The fragrance of myrrh, aloes, and cassia drifts from all your robes. Music floating from ivory palaces fills you with delight. All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad.
9 Daughters of kings are among the women you honor. The queen takes her place at your right side, dressed in gold from Ophir. Kings' daughters were among thy honourable women: upon thy right hand did stand the queen in gold of Ophir.
The Bride's Beauty
Study note
The bride is told to forget her former people and give her loyalty to the king. She is described in glorious clothing, led to the king with joy.
10 Listen carefully, daughter, and pay close attention. Leave behind your own people and your father's household. Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy father's house;
11 The king is enchanted by your beauty. Since he is your lord, honor him. So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for he is thy Lord; and worship thou him.
12 The people of Tyre will arrive bearing a gift. The wealthiest people will come seeking your favor. And the daughter of Tyre shall be there with a gift; even the rich among the people shall entreat thy favour.
13 Inside her royal rooms, the princess is dazzling. Her gown is threaded with gold. The king's daughter is all glorious within: her clothing is of wrought gold.
14 Wearing embroidered clothing, she is brought before the king. Her bridesmaids follow close behind her. She shall be brought unto the king in raiment of needlework: the virgins her companions that follow her shall be brought unto thee.
15 They walk in with joy and celebration. They enter the palace of the king. With gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought: they shall enter into the king's palace.
An Everlasting Legacy
Study note
The king's sons will become princes throughout the land. His name will be remembered in every generation and the nations will praise him forever.
16 Your sons will step into the roles your fathers held. You will appoint them as leaders across the entire land. Instead of thy fathers shall be thy children, whom thou mayest make princes in all the earth.
17 I will make sure your name is remembered in every generation to come. Therefore the nations will praise you forever and ever. I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations: therefore shall the people praise thee for ever and ever.