Psalms 45

1 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.

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

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

3 Strap your sword on your thigh, O mighty one, in your splendor and your majesty.

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

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

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. The nations fall under you, with arrows in the heart of the king’s enemies.

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

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

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

7 You have loved righteousness, and hated 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 like myrrh, aloes, and cassia. Out of ivory palaces stringed instruments 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 are among your honorable women. At your right hand the queen stands 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 Listen, daughter, consider, and turn your ear. Forget your own people, and also 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 the king will desire your beauty, honor him, for he is your lord.

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

12 The daughter of Tyre comes with a gift. The rich among the people entreat your favor.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

16 Your sons will take the place of your fathers. You shall make them 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 the peoples shall give you thanks forever and ever.

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