Keraia
Psalm 45

Psalm 45:1

My Heart Is Stirred by a Noble Theme · Psalm 45:1–17
Read Psalm 45

Translations

Modern
For the choirmaster. To the tune of “The Lilies.” A Maskil of the sons of Korah. A love song. My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses to the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer.
Traditional
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.
Literal
For the one directing. According to “The Lilies.” Of the sons of Korah. A Maskil. A song of love. My heart is stirred by a good word; I am telling my works, O king; my tongue is the pen of a swift scribe.
Latin
In finem, pro iis qui commutabuntur. Filiis Core, ad intellectum. Canticum pro dilecto. Eructavit cor meum verbum bonum: dico ego opera mea regi. Lingua mea calamus scribæ velociter scribentis.

Original

Hebrew
English
For the choirmaster. To the tune of “The Lilies.” A Maskil of the sons of Korah. A love song. My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses to the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer.

Notes

Psalms 45:1

To the tune of "The Lilies" is no longer known (see also Psalm 69).

Psalms 45:1–17

This psalm celebrates a royal wedding; it might have been sung on many occasions and not just at one wedding. As God’s representative, the king carried the responsibility of dispensing justice and maintaining order in God’s world (see Psalm 2).

Theme notes and profiles

Royal Psalms

Parallels

1 Kings 3:1–15 2 Chronicles 1:1–13 Psalm 72:1–20

People

Korah: Levite rebel leader; his descendants became temple servants Maskil: A musical or literary term in the Psalms

Glossary

David Korahite, Korathite Music Numbers, Book of Poetry, Biblical Psalms, Book of Shoshannim, Shoshannim-Eduth Song of Solomon

Topics

Frogs: Plague of Korah: Son of Kohath, and Head of the Family of Sacred Musicians Among the Levites To Music: Maschil: This Musical Sign Occurs in the Titles of Music: Shoshannim and Shushan-Eduth in the Titles To Pen: General Scriptures Concerning Psalms: Prophetic Scribes were Ready Writers Shoshannim: A Wind Instrument, Mentioned in the Titles of the King Christ: Foretold