Psalms 45

1 For the music director. To the tune “Lilies.” A psalm (maskil) of the sons of Korah. A love song. I am moved to write about this wonderful subject. Let me share what I have written for the king. What I say comes from the pen of a skilled author.

My heart overflows with a good matter. I speak the things which I have made concerning the king. My tongue is the pen of a ready writer.

2 You are more handsome than anyone else. You always speak graciously, for God has blessed you forever.

Thou are fairer than the sons of men. Grace is poured into thy lips. Therefore God has blessed thee forever.

3 Strap on your sword, mighty warrior, stride out in glory and majesty!

Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O mighty one, thy glory and thy majesty.

4 In your majesty ride out to victory, in the defense of truth, humility, and right, because you are strong and act powerfully.

And in thy majesty ride on prosperously because of truth and gentleness and righteousness. And thy right hand shall teach thee awesome things.

5 Your sharp arrows pierce the hearts of your enemies; the nations fall under you.

Thine arrows are sharp. The peoples fall under thee. They are in the heart of the king's enemies.

6 Your throne comes from God, and lasts forever and ever. The scepter with which you rule is a scepter of fairness.

Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever. A scepter of straightness is the scepter of thy kingdom.

7 You love what is right and hate what is wrong. That is why God, your God, has placed you above everyone else by anointing you with the oil of joy.

Thou have loved righteousness, and hated wickedness. Therefore God, thy God, has anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy companions.

8 Your robes are perfumed with aloes, myrrh, and cassia; music played on stringed instruments in palaces decorated with ivory makes you happy.

All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia. Out of ivory palaces stringed instruments have made thee glad.

9 The daughters of kings are among the noblewomen; the queen stands beside you on your right, wearing jewelry made of gold from Ophir.

Kings' daughters are among thy honorable women. At thy right hand stands the queen in gold of Ophir.

10 Listen to what I have to say, daughter; please pay attention. Don't pine for your people and your family.

Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear. Forget also thine own people, and thy father's house.

11 May the king desire you in your beauty; respect him, for he is your lord.

So will the king desire thy beauty, for he is thy lord, and reverence thou him.

12 The people of Tyre will come with gifts; rich people will look for your favor.

And the daughter of Tyre shall adore him with a gift. The rich among the people shall entreat thy favor.

13 Inside her preparation room the princess bride looks wonderful in her golden gown.

Inside, the king's daughter is all glorious. Her clothing is embroidered with gold.

14 Wearing her beautiful clothes she is brought to the king, followed by her bridesmaids.

She shall be led to the king in broidered work. The virgins, her companions who follow her, shall be brought to thee.

15 What a happy, joyful procession enters the king's palace!

With gladness and rejoicing they shall be led. They shall enter into the king's palace.

16 Your sons will take the place of your fathers; as princes you will make them rulers throughout the land.

Instead of thy fathers shall be thy sons, whom thou shall make rulers in all the earth.

17 Through my words you will be famous through all generations, and nations will praise you forever and ever.

I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations. Therefore the peoples shall give thee thanks forever and ever.