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.

For the chief musician; set to Shoshannim. A psalm of the sons of Korah. A maschil. A song of loves. My heart overflows on a good subject; I will read aloud the words I have composed about 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.

You are fairer than the children of mankind; grace is poured onto your lips; therefore we know that God has blessed you forever.

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

Put your sword on your side, mighty one, in your glory and your majesty.

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

In your majesty ride on triumphantly because of trustworthiness, meekness, and righteousness; your right hand will teach you fearful things.

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

Your arrows are sharp; the peoples fall under you; your arrows are in the hearts 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.

Your throne, God, is forever and ever; a scepter of justice is the scepter of your 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.

You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness more than your 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 your garments smell of myrrh, aloes, and cassia; out of ivory palaces stringed instruments have made you 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 your honorable women; at your right hand stands the queen clothed 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.

Listen, daughter, consider and incline your ear; forget your own people and your father's house.

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

In this way the king will desire your beauty; he is your master; revere him.

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

The daughter of Tyre will be there with a gift; the rich among the people will beg for your favor.

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

The royal daughter in the palace is all glorious; her clothing is worked with gold.

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

She will be led to the king in embroidered dress; the virgins, her companions who follow her, will be brought to you.

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

They will be led by gladness and rejoicing; they will 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.

In the place of your fathers will be your children, whom you will make princes 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 your name to be remembered in all generations; therefore the peoples will give you thanks forever and ever.