THE TWO KINGS
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
Ask God for a clear and vibrant vision of the majesty of Jesus.
We find ourselves in a very different world from that of Jeremiah. We’re transported into the scene of a royal wedding, a national event, throbbing with pageantry, enthusiasm, and noise. The king is noble, skillful, excellent, and mighty. He exudes splendor and majesty (vs 1–3). And just look at the bride’s wedding dress (vs 13,14)! A match made in heaven. Yet the king isn’t merely a poster boy for the monarchy. He also has responsibility for the moral, ethical, and legal life of the nation. He is exhorted to fight for the cause of ‘truth, humility and justice’ (v 4). The future’s looking good for a stable and prosperous reign.
Contrast this with a parallel event, the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem on the first Palm Sunday. There are crowds, but they’re not marveling at Jesus’ handsome features, his military bearing or his sturdy mount. Nevertheless, the cry rings out: ‘Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord.’1 Though gentle and humble in approach, his majesty shines through. Soon, in the city he will speak God’s truth, he will humbly accept his fate and he will turn the injustice of a trumped-up trial and crucifixion into the triumph of the resurrection.
There are many pictures of Jesus but, unsurprisingly, no photographs. Each picture is therefore a personal interpretation. So how do you see him? If God is one of us, then how does he appear to you? How is he like you and me? How is he different? How does your picture of him influence your relationship with him? How does his majesty shine through for you? Do you feel the optimism and confidence in him that the crowd in the psalm obviously shared? Is the future looking good?
Apply
Use the words of the song ‘Majesty, worship his majesty’2 as stimulus for a period of personal worship.
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.
1 Luke 19:38 2 Jack Hayford, 1981; there are many performances available on YouTube
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