The Beauty of our king (Psalm 45)
by Bethanie Eaton
In our series looking at Jesus as Bridegroom, King & Judge, this month we move to considering Jesus as King. Over the next 4 months on this theme, let's not forget the journey we have been on together singing and meditating on Jesus our Bridegroom.
Psalm 45 is a great passage to help us follow on from focusing on Jesus as a Bridegroom. If we read the whole Psalm we will see that it speaks of Jesus as both a King and a Bridegroom. I really like it because it connects these two very different facets of Jesus that I can so easily separate, yet this is who he is. It doesn’t contradict his character but instead there is so much beauty and depth to be found in the relationship between these descriptions. I hope that we will allow these connections to deepen our knowledge, understanding and relationship with Jesus.
"My heart is overflowing with a good theme;
I recite my composition concerning the King;
My tongue is the pen of a ready writer.
You are fairer than the sons of men;
Grace is poured upon Your lips;
Therefore God has blessed You forever.
Gird Your sword upon Your thigh, O Mighty One,
With Your glory and Your majesty.
And in Your majesty ride prosperously because of truth, humility, and righteousness;
And Your right hand shall teach You awesome things.
Your arrows are sharp in the heart of the King’s enemies;
The peoples fall under You.
Your throne, O God, is forever and ever;
A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom.
You love righteousness and hate wickedness;
Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You
With the oil of gladness more than Your companions."- Psalm 45:1-7
This psalm is about the promised Davidic king whose throne is forever. Only Jesus, the Davidic Messiah, the anointed One, truly fits this description. If we read Hebrews Chapter 1, we will see the writer referencing Psalm 45:6-7 and he explains to us that it is in fact the Father’s song and He is singing it over His son Jesus. The beginning of this passage paints a beautiful and passionate picture of the Father’s heart toward His son. “His heart is overflowing with a good theme…” He is delighted and His love is pouring out for His son Jesus.
Let us take a look at the different characteristics of King Jesus who has been given authority to rule and reign.
The Psalmist speaks of a King who is unlike any other king who has ever reigned on the earth. He begins by noting the beauty of the King, saying He is more beautiful (fairer) than any other. However, this King though beautiful in character and speaks grace-filled words, is definitely not soft or weak. This King is ready for battle, He is a man of war, a Mighty One armed with a sword. This King, who we know is King Jesus, is a warrior ready for battle but He does not draw His sword until we see Him return in Revelation 19. When He draws His sword, we know that it is motivated by His truth, humility and righteousness and His actions will in turn also produce truth, humility and righteousness on the earth.
As we consider these descriptions that speak of Jesus as a King, let us make it part of our own words and our own song to praise him for his beauty, majesty, faithfulness, holiness, righteousness.
This is our fourth passage in a series looking at Jesus as a passionate bridegroom, a sovereign king & a righteous judge - three descriptions that are emphasised together in various places in the Scriptures, not least by Jesus Himself in the context of His return (Mt 24-25). We invite you to consider this passage with us throughout the remainder of January.