Psalm 45:11

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

Translations

Modern
…and the king will desire your beauty; bow to him, for he is your lord.
Traditional
So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for he is thy Lord; and worship thou him.
Literal
For the king himself desires your beauty, because he is your lord—and bow to him—
Latin
Et concupiscet rex decorem tuum, quoniam ipse est Dominus Deus tuus, et adorabunt eum.

Original

Hebrew
English
…and the king will desire your beauty; bow to him, for he is your lord.

Notes

The bride is a representative of the king. Powerful people and nations try to gain her favor in order to get close to the king. This is a great honor, and she is encouraged to give herself fully to her new position.

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

Biblical Marriage Royal Psalms

Parallels

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

Glossary

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

Topics

Beauty: Spiritual Bride: Figurative Fellowship with Christ Jesus, the Christ: Worship of Love of Man for God Solomon: A |Type| of Christ The Excellency and Glory of the Church: God Delights In the King Christ: Foretold Women of the Body (Ekklesia) of Christ Worship: Commanded