Psalm 45 Geneva Study Bible

◄ Psalm 45 ►

Geneva Study Bible

<> 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.

<{a} Shoshannim, for the sons of Korah, Maschil, A Song of {b} 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.

(a) This was a certain tune of an instrument.

(b) Of that perfect love that ought to be between the husband and the wife.

Psalm 45:2

Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.

Thou art {c} fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.

(c) Solomon's beauty and eloquence to win favour with his people, and his power to overcome his enemies, is here described.

Psalm 45:3

Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty.

Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty.

Psalm 45:4

And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things.

And in thy majesty {d} ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things.

(d) He alludes to them, who ride in chariots in their triumphs, showing that the quiet state of a kingdom stands in truth, meekness and justice, and not in worldly pomp and vanity.

Psalm 45:5

Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the king's enemies; whereby the people fall under thee.

Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the king's enemies; whereby the people fall under thee.

Psalm 45:6

Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.

Thy {e} throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.

(e) Under this figure of this kingdom of justice is set forth the everlasting kingdom of Christ.

Psalm 45:7

Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath {f} anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

(f) Has established your kingdom as the figure of Christ, which is the peace and joy of the Church.

Psalm 45:8

All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad.

All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, {g} whereby they have made thee glad.

(g) In which the people made you joyful to see them give thanks and rejoice for you.

Psalm 45:9

Kings' daughters were among thy honourable women: upon thy right hand did stand the queen in gold of Ophir.

Kings' daughters were among thy honourable women: upon thy right hand did stand the {h} queen in gold of Ophir.

(h) Though he had many king's daughters among his wives, yet he found Pharaoh's daughter best.

Psalm 45:10

Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy father's house;

{i} Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy father's house;

(i) Under the figure of Pharaoh's daughter, he shows that the Church must cast off all carnal affections to obey Christ only.

Psalm 45:11

So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for he is thy Lord; and worship thou him.

Psalm 45:12

And the daughter of Tyre shall be there with a gift; even the rich among the people shall intreat thy favour.

And the {k} daughter of Tyre shall be there with a gift; even the rich among the people shall intreat thy favour.

(k) He signifies that many of those who are rich will be benefactors to the Church, although they do not give perfect obedience to the Gospel.

Psalm 45:13

The king's daughter is all glorious within: her clothing is of wrought gold.

The king's daughter is all glorious {l} within: her clothing is of wrought gold.

(l) There is nothing feigned or hypocritical but she is glorious both within and without: and even though the Church has not always had this outward glory, the fault is to be imputed only to their own ingratitude.

Psalm 45:14

She shall be brought unto the king in raiment of needlework: the virgins her companions that follow her shall be brought unto thee.

Psalm 45:15

With gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought: they shall enter into the king's palace.

Psalm 45:16

Instead of thy fathers shall be thy children, whom thou mayest make princes in all the earth.

Instead of thy fathers shall be thy {m} children, whom thou mayest make princes {n} in all the earth.

(m) They will have greater graces than their fathers.

(n) He signifies the great compass of Christ's kingdom, which will be sufficient to enrich all his members.

Psalm 45:17

I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations: therefore shall the people praise thee for ever and ever.

I will make thy {o} name to be remembered in all generations: therefore shall the people praise thee for ever and ever.

(o) This must only be referred to Christ and not to Solomon.

The Geneva Bible Translation Notes [1599]

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