A ROYAL WEDDING
Opening Prayer
Everlasting Lord, thank you for the gift of life, but even more for the gift of new life in your son Jesus.
Read PSALM 45
For the director of music. To the tune of “Lilies.” Of the Sons of Korah. A maskil.[b] A wedding song.
1 My heart is stirred by a noble theme
as I recite my verses for the king;
my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer.
2 You are the most excellent of men
and your lips have been anointed with grace,
since God has blessed you forever.
3 Gird your sword on your side, you mighty one;
clothe yourself with splendor and majesty.
4 In your majesty ride forth victoriously
in the cause of truth, humility and justice;
let your right hand achieve awesome deeds.
5 Let your sharp arrows pierce the hearts of the king’s enemies;
let the nations fall beneath your feet.
6 Your throne, O God,[c] will last for ever and ever;
a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.
7 You love righteousness and hate wickedness;
therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions
by anointing you with the oil of joy.
8 All your robes are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia;
from palaces adorned with ivory
the music of the strings makes you glad.
9 Daughters of kings are among your honored women;
at your right hand is the royal bride in gold of Ophir.
10 Listen, daughter, and pay careful attention:
Forget your people and your father’s house.
11 Let the king be enthralled by your beauty;
honor him, for he is your lord.
12 The city of Tyre will come with a gift,[d]
people of wealth will seek your favor.
13 All glorious is the princess within her chamber;
her gown is interwoven with gold.
14 In embroidered garments she is led to the king;
her virgin companions follow her—
those brought to be with her.
15 Led in with joy and gladness,
they enter the palace of the king.
16 Your sons will take the place of your fathers;
you will make them princes throughout the land.
17 I will perpetuate your memory through all generations;
therefore the nations will praise you for ever and ever.
Footnotes
- Psalm 45:1 In Hebrew texts 45:1-17 is numbered 45:2-18.
- Psalm 45:1 Title: Probably a literary or musical term
- Psalm 45:6 Here the king is addressed as God’s representative.
- Psalm 45:12 Or A Tyrian robe is among the gifts
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Recall the weddings you have attended. Pray for those couples who have stayed together, as well as those who have separated.It is perhaps surprising to come across a psalm celebrating a royal wedding. The life of the king was important in the nation of Israel. The psalm reminds the king of his responsibility as God’s appointed and anointed leader (vs 2,6,7) and of the need to reign with truth, humility and justice (v 4). The king’s bride is also addressed (vs 10–15). She is reminded of the need for all other relationships to be realigned as a new family is formed through marriage (v 10; see Genesis 2:24). The gift of children is expected and celebrated (vs 16,17).
I am writing this as the news of the death of HRH Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh has been announced. He was married to Her Majesty, the Queen, for 73 years. What a good, long royal marriage! The writer to the Hebrews quotes verses 6 and 7 of this psalm (Hebrews 1:8,9). But however good a human monarch may be, they will always fall short of perfection. In God’s great plan of salvation, he will send his Son as the King of Kings and in the fullness of time his people, the church, will be the King’s bride (Revelation 19:7,8).
Apply
In what ways does the reality of Jesus as your Lord and King reflect beauty and honor in ways that draw others to him?
Closing prayer
Lord Jesus, you look on me as your child as well as a loving spouse. Let these truths control how I act every day.
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