Psalms 45

1 For the Leader; upon Shoshannim; a Psalm of the sons of Korah. Maschil. A Song of loves. My heart overfloweth with a goodly matter; I say: 'My work is concerning a king'; my tongue is the pen of a ready writer.

[For 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.

2 Thou art fairer than the children of men; grace is poured upon thy lips; therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.

You are the most handsome of the sons of men. Grace has anointed your lips, therefore God has blessed you forever.

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

Gird your sword on your thigh, mighty one: your splendor and your majesty.

4 And in thy majesty prosper, ride on, in behalf of truth and meekness and righteousness; and let thy right hand teach thee tremendous things.

In your majesty ride on victoriously on behalf of truth, humility, and righteousness. Let your right hand display awesome deeds.

5 Thine arrows are sharp — the peoples fall under thee — they sink into the heart of the king's enemies.

Your arrows are sharp. The nations fall under you, with arrows in the heart of the king's enemies.

6 Thy throne given of God is for ever and ever; a sceptre of equity is the sceptre of thy kingdom.

Your throne, God, is forever and ever. A scepter of equity is the scepter of your kingdom.

7 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated wickedness; therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

You have loved righteousness, and hated wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your companions.

8 Myrrh, and aloes, and cassia are all thy garments; out of ivory palaces stringed instruments have made thee glad.

All your garments smell like myrrh and aloes and cassia. Out of ivory palaces stringed instruments have made you glad.

9 Kings' daughters are among thy favourites; at thy right hand doth stand the queen in gold of Ophir.

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

10 'Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy father's house;

Listen, daughter, consider, and turn your ear. Forget your own people, and also your father's house.

11 So shall the king desire thy beauty; for he is thy lord; and do homage unto him.

So the king will desire your beauty, honor him, for he is your lord.

12 And, O daughter of Tyre, the richest of the people shall entreat thy favour with a gift.'

The daughter of Tyre comes with a gift. The rich among the people will seek your favor.

13 All glorious is the king's daughter within the palace; her raiment is of chequer work inwrought with gold.

The princess inside is all glorious. Her clothing is interwoven with gold.

14 She shall be led unto the king on richly woven stuff; the virgins her companions in her train being brought unto thee.

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

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

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

16 Instead of thy fathers shall be thy sons, whom thou shalt make princes in all the land.

Your sons will take the place of your fathers. You shall make them princes in all the earth.

17 I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations; therefore shall the peoples praise thee for ever and ever.

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