Psalms 45

1 My heart is composing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made concerning the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer.

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.

2 You are fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into your lips: therefore God has blessed you for ever.

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

3 Gird your sword upon your thigh, O most mighty, with your glory and your majesty.

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

4 And in your majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and your right hand shall teach you terrible things.

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

5 your arrows are sharp in the heart of the king's enemies; whereby the people fall under you.

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

6 Your throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of your kingdom is a right sceptre.

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

7 You love righteousness, and hate wickedness: therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows.

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.

8 All your garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made you glad.

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

9 Kings' daughters were among your honourable women: upon your right hand did stand the queen in gold of Ophir.

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

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

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

11 So shall the king greatly desire your beauty: for he is your Lord; and worship you him.

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

12 And the daughter of Tyre shall be there with a gift; even the rich among the people shall implore your favour.

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

13 The king's daughter is all glorious within: her clothing is of wrought gold.

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

14 She shall be brought unto the king in raiment of needlework: the virgins her companions that follow her shall be brought unto you.

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

15 With gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought: they shall enter into the king's palace.

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

16 Instead of your fathers shall be your children, whom you may make princes in all the earth.

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

17 I will make your name to be remembered in all generations: therefore shall the people praise you for ever and ever.

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