https://esv.literalword.com/?q=psalm+45
Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Sunday, 10 November 2024:
Psalm 45 may have been written for an earthly king, but it is primarily referenced the True King, Jesus. Many believe it was inspired by a king’s wedding ceremony but points to the final wedding of the Bridegroom, Christ, with His bride the church as described in Revelation when Jesus finally returns. The psalm consists of two main portions—an address to the bridegroom in eight verses (Psalm 45:2-9), and an address to the bride in six (Psalm 45:10-15); with an introduction and a conclusion, the latter comprised in two verses, the former in one verse only.
Psalm 45:1 — My heart overflows with a pleasing theme; I address my verses to the king; my tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe.
Does love, joy, and praise naturally flow from you heart uncontained because of the greatness of God? Do the things you say reflect your joy and thankfulness to everyone around you?
Psalm 45:2 — You are the most handsome of the sons of men; grace is poured upon your lips….
This may be a hard verse to ascribe to Jesus considering other prophesies about Jesus – “For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him.” (Isaiah 53:2-3). However, as they say, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” and it was the sinfulness of most which blinded them from Christ’s beauty. Also, it is helpful to consider the King James Version of this verse: “Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips….” The Hebrew word for “fairer” is yâphâh, which means, to be bright (and beautiful). Jesus is the Light, more beautiful than all else, and on His lips was the ultimate message of Grace, the Gospel.
Psalm 45:4 — In your majesty ride out victoriously for the cause of truth and meekness and righteousness….
What to Jesus preach?
- John 18:37 — Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”
- Joh 1:14, 17 — The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth…. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
- Matthew 5:5 — Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
- Matthew 6:33 — But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Psalm 45:6, 7 — Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. The scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of uprightness; you have loved righteousness and hated wickedness.
Eliminating any doubt in interpretation, The Book of Hebrews specifically states these verses are about Jesus – “But of the Son he says, ‘Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.’” (Hebrews 1:8-9)
Psalm 45:16, 17 — In place of your fathers shall be your sons; you will make them princes in all the earth. I will perpetuate your memory through all generations; therefore the nations will praise you for ever and ever.
While these verses are describing our spiritual family in Christ and the sharing of the Gospel from generation to generation, they also have much to say about how Christian parents should raise their earthly families and what God desires for those families:
First, Christian families must recognize their total reliance on the grace and blessings of God. (Psalm 45:2) They must be led by honorable, mighty men who fight for “truth, humility, and justice,” who “love righteousness and hate wickedness.” (Psalm 45:4, 7) Remember, parents and children, God has modeled for us the perfect example of every role we play in life – God is described as a Father, Son, Master (Boss), Servant, Slave, Sibling, Worker, Caretaker, etc. We are called to be Christlike in all we do. So, as we read about the attributes of our Savior, we should desire, in honor of Him, to take on those same attributes. What would a family be like if everyone acted like Jesus? How would a family be impacted if just one person would truly be like Jesus? May that person be you.
Also, these families must be led by godly, noble matriarchs who are fully devoted to their husbands and who honor them in every way. (Psalm 45:10, 11; Proverbs 12:4) Through wisdom, these women build secure homes for their families. (Proverbs 14:1; Proverbs 31)
A Christian home must be led by noble parents who raise generations of noble Christian leaders after them. (Psalm 45:16) As the Bible says, “Did he not make them one, with a portion of the Spirit in their union? And what was the one God seeking? Godly offspring. (Malachi 2:15)”
Every Christian has made mistakes in parenting, perhaps some big ones. Today is a new day. Trust God with the past and the future. Seek to parent today like your Father in Heaven would, walking in His grace, which is sufficient in your constant failure.
- Psalm 127:3-5 — Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.
- Deuteronomy 11:18-21 — You shall therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, that your days and the days of your children may be multiplied in the land that the LORD swore to your fathers to give them, as long as the heavens are above the earth
No one has had perfect parents. Forgive your parents unconditionally and honor them.
- Exodus 20:12 — Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.
- Ephesians 6:1 — Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
- Proverbs 23:22 — Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.
- Colossians 3:20 — Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.
- 1 Peter 4:8 — Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.
“And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers….” (Malachi 4:6) Pray that God will move in the hearts of your family members (including you) where there might be brokenness and disunity. The most important institution established by God on earth is the family. He created it, and He will empower it for His glory. The secret to a strong, united, loving and joyful family is to build it upon the foundation of Jesus Christ and to rest (or abide) upon that foundation — “For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 3:11) God desires your family to be united in Him for your joy and for His glory — “Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one…. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.” (John 17:11, 22, 23)
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 10 November 2024: Pray that God will help you to demonstrate His love and His ways to your family today. Draw closer to God so you can draw closer to your family, and pray that God will inspire you other family members to do likewise.
Defenders Bible Reading Plan 