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Psalm 45

Psalm 45 celebrates a royal wedding, joining the king’s splendor to righteous rule and the bride’s glad arrival.

A poet recites a wedding song for a king, praising his speech and calling him to ride out for truth, humility, and righteousness. The heading attributes the song to the sons of Korah, but the king and bride are unnamed. Amid fragrant garments and palace music, the poet turns to the bride, urging her to honor the king. Her procession enters the palace with joy, and the song closes with promises of descendants and lasting remembrance.

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1For the Chief Musician. Set to “The Lilies.” A contemplation by the sons of Korah. A wedding song. My heart overflows with a noble theme. I recite my verses for the king. My tongue is like the pen of a skillful writer.
2You are the most excellent of the sons of men. Grace has anointed your lips, therefore God has blessed you forever.
3Strap your sword on your thigh, O mighty one, in your splendor and your majesty.
4In your majesty ride on victoriously on behalf of truth, humility, and righteousness. Let your right hand display awesome deeds.
5Your arrows are sharp. The nations fall under you, with arrows in the heart of the king’s enemies.
6Your throne, God, is forever and ever. A scepter of equity is the scepter of your kingdom.
7You have loved righteousness, and hated wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows.
8All your garments smell like myrrh, aloes, and cassia. Out of ivory palaces stringed instruments have made you glad.
9Kings’ daughters are among your honorable women. At your right hand the queen stands in gold of Ophir.
10Listen, daughter, consider, and turn your ear. Forget your own people, and also your father’s house.
11So the king will desire your beauty, honor him, for he is your lord.
12The daughter of Tyre comes with a gift. The rich among the people entreat your favor.
13The princess inside is all glorious. Her clothing is interwoven with gold.
14She shall be led to the king in embroidered work. The virgins, her companions who follow her, shall be brought to you.
15With gladness and rejoicing they shall be led. They shall enter into the king’s palace.
16Your sons will take the place of your fathers. You shall make them princes in all the earth.
17I will make your name to be remembered in all generations. Therefore the peoples shall give you thanks forever and ever.
World English BibleRead in NIV in Psalmlog →Highlighted verses are the most connected. Tap a number for its page.
Key verses
Psalm 45:6The address to God and the everlasting throne place equity at the heart of the song’s royal praise.
Psalm 45:7The king’s love of righteousness and hatred of wickedness explain his anointing with gladness above his companions.
Psalm 45:3The sword introduces the king as a warrior whose majesty serves the righteous cause described in the next verse.
Where this chapter reaches

Hebrews quotes verses 6–7 about the Son, identifying Jesus with the king whose throne endures and whose rule is righteous. Revelation shares the psalm’s imagery of a royal bridegroom and a bride, as well as a victorious ruler who acts in righteousness.

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Notice

After reading the whole chapter

How does the king’s commitment to truth and humility shape your understanding of his splendor?

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Which detail in the wedding procession holds your attention, and what does it contribute to the song?

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Questions people ask about Psalm 45

Who is the king in Psalm 45, and is it about Jesus?

The psalm presents an unnamed king at his wedding; it does not identify a specific historical ruler. Its language includes the striking address, “Your throne, God, is forever and ever.” Hebrews quotes verses 6–7 about the Son, establishing the psalm’s fulfillment in Jesus and his enduring, righteous kingship.

Why does Psalm 45 tell the bride to forget her father’s house?

The words address a royal bride entering the king’s household. In this wedding setting, forgetting her people and her father’s house expresses a transfer of allegiance as she takes her place beside the king. The text does not describe her family circumstances or command every bride to cut off family contact.

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Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).