Psalm 45

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

A Royal Wedding Song

(Transcript not available - coming soon)

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. The first and second advents of Christ are included in Psalm 45.

  2. The humanity and deity of Christ are included in Psalm 45.

  3. The bride and redeemed of Christ are included in Psalm 45.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. If your tongue was a pen, what would it write?

QUESTIONS

  1. Why is this song categorized as a Messianic psalm?

  2. What is the structure of Psalm 45?

  3. Where in this psalm do we see the second coming of Christ?

  4. In verse 6, the king is addressed as God, and yet in verse 7 the king is a man blessed by God. How could this be true of the historical king about whom this psalm was written?

  5. Since Psalm 45 is a typical Messianic psalm, who do the queen and her royal attendants represent?

ANSWERS

  1. Because it is quoted in the New Testament in reference to Jesus Christ, the Messiah (Hebrews 1:8-9). We say it is “typical Messianic” because it refers to a historical wedding of one of the kings of Israel, but looks on to Israel’s greater King, the Lord Jesus.

  2. The king is first described and praised (verses 1-9), the bride is addressed and described (verses 10-15), and then there is a benediction (verses 16-17).

  3. In verses 3-5, we see the Lord returning in splendor and majesty, but also in judgment. There is a similar description of our Lord’s return in Revelation 19:11-16.

  4. In the historical context, this king who was greatly blessed of God was looked on as God’s representative. Especially in a theocracy like Israel, the king was seen as standing in the place of God, with direct authority from God.

  5. The New Testament teaches that the Church is the Bride of Christ, and we read of the coming Marriage Supper of the Lamb in Revelation 19. The royal attendants represent all the rest of the redeemed who will attend the Marriage Supper – the Old Testament saints and the martyred saints of the Tribulation Period (Revelation 19:9)

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. Psalm 45:1-2 praises the king as the greatest of all men. God’s grace and blessing were poured out upon Him. Discuss how this description is fitting of our Lord Jesus, the greatest Man who ever lived.

  2. Read about the Marriage Supper of the Lamb in Revelation 19. What correlations can you see between this and Psalm 45? What aspect of this future celebration is most meaningful to you?

CHALLENGE

  1. Your tongue is a pen – what is it writing?

KEY VERSES

  • “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom.” Psalm 45:6

  • “You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness more than Your companions.” Psalm 45:7



Old Testament, Psalms, TalksDeb HarmsPsalm 45