Nothing is quite so beautiful as when you share it with someone else. There is no purpose in working unless one works for someone, for something.”
–Louis L’Amour (Westward the Tide)
“Both the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” Anyone who hears should say, “Come!” And the one who is thirsty should come. Whoever desires should take the living water as a gift.”
–Revelation 22:17(HCSB)
————————-
Monday again, ah, but this Monday and the next, we are going to a wedding. Psalm 45 is a wedding psalm which some believe was when Solomon was marrying Pharaoh’s daughter. There is much pomp and ceremony at a royal wedding and this psalm lavishes much praise upon the groom.
1 – My heart is moved by a noble theme as I recite my verses to the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer.
2 – You are the most handsome of men; grace flows from your lips. Therefore God has blessed you forever.
3 – Mighty warrior, strap your sword at your side. In your majesty and splendor—
4 – in your splendor ride triumphantly in the cause of truth, humility, and justice. May your right hand show your awe-inspiring acts.
5 – Your arrows pierce the hearts of the king’s enemies; the peoples fall under you.
6 – Your throne, God, is forever and ever; the scepter of Your kingdom is a scepter of justice.
7 – You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of joy more than your companions.
8 – Myrrh, aloes, and cassia perfume all your garments; from ivory palaces harps bring you joy.
9 – Kings’ daughters are among your honored women; the queen, adorned with gold from Ophir, stands at your right hand. (HCSB)
Take a moment and look at the qualities of the groom: (George O. Wood)
1) He has character which invites praise. (vs 2)
–“It is the man’s responsibility to conduct himself in such a way that his wife can honestly praise him.”
2) He has handsome bearing. (vs 3)
–A person of bearing always looks sharp, and conducts himself appropriately.
3) He has noble ideals. (vs 4)
–“His purpose in marriage goes beyond self-pleasure–he sees his life mission in larger terms and his marriage as part of God’s plan for the fulfillment of divine aims.”
4) He has inner strength. (vs 5)
–“He will be the victor and not victim…. He has wholesome self-confidence in addition to his faith in the Lord.”
5) He is in submission to God. (vs 6-7)
–“The earthly husband aligns his character to the Lord’s, possessing a love for righteousness, a hatred of wickedness, and a life of joy.”
6) He has love for beauty. (vs 8-9)
–“Here is a man who smells good, possesses a keen sense of aesthetics, and loves music.”
Note the change in verse 6 to one of prophetic tone. This handsome ruler with military bearing seems to be symbolic also of the heavenly Groom. Sometimes we should think of Christ as the “Groom” and remember that the Church is His “Bride.” Think of the feelings He must have. Think of the jealousy and anger that may reside in Him for the way His Bride is currently being treated. Think about how He longs for her, and wants her to be with Him.
“I shall see the King in His beauty in the land that is far away,
When the shadows at length have lifted, and the darkness has turned into day.
And to none will the King be a stranger of the throngs who surround His seat.
For the hearts of the saved will know Him by the prints of the nails in His feet.”
–A. B. Simpson