Psalm 45 Summary - 5 Minute Bible Study

Psalm 45 Short Summary:

Psalm 45 describes a praiseworthy king and his admirable bride. The psalmist praises the king for standing for righteousness and justice. He is a glorious king without compare. The bride is counselled to be faithful to her king, and in return she is promised honor and sons who will be princes. There are many parallels in Psalm 45 between the king and Jesus, and the king’s bride and Jesus’ Church.

Psalm 45 Summary

AUTHOR:

• The Sons of Korah (a family of the Tribe of Levi).

NEW TESTAMENT REFERENCES:

• Hebrews 1:8-9

THEMES:

• A glorious king worthy of praise.

• A beautiful bride worthy of admiration.

DEFINITIONS:

• Maskil (45:1) – The exact meaning of this term remains unknown. It may have been a musical indicator, telling the musician or performer how the psalm was to be presented. Other people think the term indicates a psalm that was written to impart wisdom.

• According to Lilies (45:1) – Another unknown term. People surmise it may refer to the musical instrument which accompanied this psalm. Others think it was a designation to mark the beauty of the psalm’s subject matter.

• Gold of Ophir (45:9) - Ophir (2 Chronicles 8:18) was likely the name of a region, rather than a city. Its location is unknown. Theories propose Arabia, India, Africa, the Philippines.

OUTLINE:

• *This is a psalm about a king and his bride. The specific king is not named, but it is clear from Psalm 45:6 and Hebrews 1:8 that this psalm has a prophetic meaning which was fulfilled in Jesus, the Messiah. Which, if any, king the psalmist had in mind remains a topic of debate.

• IN AWE OF THE KING (45:1-9):

  • The first section of Psalm 45 extols the greatness of the king.

  • The psalmist wrote that the king was more handsome than any other man.

  • God blessed the king with splendor and majesty by pouring out His grace on him.

  • He saddled his horse to fight for truth, meekness, and righteousness (45:4).

  • His enemies were not comparable to him in battle.

  • Verse 6 is the key verse of the chapter, because the psalmist refers to the king as God, saying, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. The scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of uprightness.”

  • How can an earthly king be described as “God?”

  • Some scholars suggest the author described the king as “God” because as a divinely appointed ruler the king shared in some of the attributes of God.

  • Other scholars suggest this psalm has nothing to do with an earthly king and the description is solely intended for Jesus, in which case the title of “God” is not problematic at all.

  • Whoever this king was, their throne was going to be established forever, and they would rule with a scepter of righteousness (45:6).

  • An honored bride (the queen), in splendid gold array, stood at the king’s side.

• A MESSAGE TO THE KING’S BRIDE (45:10-17):

  • The psalmist then turned to address the king’s bride.

  • He offered her guidance on how to have a blessed marriage.

  • He advised her to let go of her loyalty to her own people and give herself wholeheartedly to her new role.

  • She was to submit to the King and bow to Him.

  • As queen, she would receive many blessings. Foreign nations would court her favor, she would be “glorious” in robes of gold, and she would be blessed with sons to become princes.

  • The psalmist concluded with one final blessing, writing, “I will cause your name to be remembered in all generations; therefore nations will praise you forever and ever” (45:17).
    

PSALM 45 AS A PICTURE OF JESUS AND THE CHURCH:

• There is no question that Psalm 45 is prophetically pointing to Jesus because the author of the Book of Hebrews connects the psalmist’s words in Psalm 45:6 to Jesus (see Hebrews 1:8-9).

• When you look at the whole of Psalm 45, the parallels between the king and Jesus, and the king’s bride and the Church are striking.

• Jesus is a glorious king who fights for truth and righteousness (45:4). He is more beautiful than any other the “sons of men” (45:2), not in physical beauty but in character. His enemies are no match for Him (45:5). He is rightfully called “God,” and His throne is an eternal one (45:6). He is the anointed One (Christ means anointed; 45:7). He loves righteousness and hates wickedness (45:7).

• In regards to the bride of Psalm 45, the Church is talked about as the bride of Christ (Eph 5:25-27; Rev 19:7-9; 2 Cor 11:2). The Church is the beautiful to Jesus (45:11), so beautiful that He gave His blood for it. As the Church, we are to forget our past loyalties and give ourselves wholeheartedly to our king (45:10). The Church will produce princes, adopted sons of God (Rom 8:16-17). The Church will exist through all generations, and people will praise its existence forever and ever (45:17).