Bible Commentary

Psalms 45:1-5

Matthew Henry on Psalms 45:1-5

Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · Matthew Henry · CC0 1.0 Universal

The psalmist's tongue was guided by the Spirit of God, as the pen is by the hand of a ready writer. This psalm is touching the King Jesus, his kingdom and government. It is a shame that this good matter is not more the subject of our discourse.

There is more in Christ to engage our love, than there is or can be in any creature. This world and its charms are ready to draw away our hearts from Christ; therefore we are concerned to understand how much more worthy he is of our love.

By his word, his promise, his gospel, the good will of God is made known to us, and the good work of God is begun and carried on in us. The psalmist, verses 3–5, joyfully foretells the progress and success of the Messiah.

The arrows of conviction are very terrible in the hearts of sinners, till they are humbled and reconciled; but the arrows of vengeance will be more so to his enemies who refuse to submit. All who have seen his glory and tasted his grace, rejoice to see him, by his word and Spirit, bring enemies and strangers under his dominion.

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commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 45:1-17The glories of the eternal King. This psalm is one of those which set forth in glowing terms the glory and majesty of the King of kings, the Anointed One, who should come into the world. "It is a psalm of the theocratic…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 45:1-6The Kingship of Christ. The unerring instinct of the Church has interpreted this psalm of the Messiah. Each Jewish king, in a sense, foreshadowed the true King. Of Solomon it might be said, in a special manner, that he…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 45:1-17EXPOSITION THIS psalm is regarded by some as a simple epithalamium, or nuptial hymn, composed to honour a royal wedding, and sung as part of the wedding ceremony, at the marriage of some king of Israel or Judah. The mar…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 45:1My heart is inditing a good matter; literally, bubbleth with a good matter—is so full of it that the matter will burst forth. I speak of the things which I have made touching the king; or, I utter that which I have comp…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 45:2Altogether lovely. "Thou art fairer than the children of men." Immense learning and ingenuity have been expended in the attempt to find some historic occasion for this psalm—some Jewish original of these royal portraits…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 45:2Thou art fairer than the children of men. It has been argued that a description of the Messiah would not lay stress on his personal beauty. But in the Song of Songs the personal beauty of the bridegroom, whom so many cr…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 45:3Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty; i.e. array thyself as a warrior, for thou wilt have enemies to conquer, and wilt need a sword against them (see Psalms 45:4, Psalms 45:5). With thy glory and thy majesty. Th…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 45:4And in thy majesty ride prosperously; literally, and in thy majesty go forth, ride. The riding intended is probably riding in a chariot. Because of truth and meekness and righteousness; rather, because of truth and meek…Joseph S. Exell and contributors