When royalty marries, it is no small deal. Especially in the ancient world where the whole nation celebrated, perhaps something akin to the wedding of Prince William of the UK. This particular psalm, a song of the sons of Korah, is a love song. In it we see what is desirable in a man from the woman of the day.
Of course there was the fact that he her groom was attractive:
“You are the most handsome of men” (Ps 45:2). Certainly it is what every husband-to-be wants to hear.
But look what attracts her to her man:
“grace flows from your lips” Ps 45:2
“in your splendor ride triumphantly in the cause of truth, humility and justice” (Ps 45:3)
“You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God has anointed you with the oil of joy more than your companions” (Ps 45:7)
It makes me think in college of a circle of guys I knew. They were all moderately attractive except one. He just wasn’t. And yet he married the first. One of the guys in the group was musing to me, “How is it that he is the one who found a wife?” They were all looking at the time.
I was surprised at the question. Why wouldn’t he have been the first? He wasn’t the most attractive, but he was the kindest to others. Add to that he had a measure of humility which the others guys seemed to have only in very limited supply.
It was then that I realized that while looks are important to a woman, she more importantly looking for a man of good character. And a man? He really does want a woman of good character, but let’s face the truth, he doesn’t mind at all if the woman on his arm is gorgeous.
And there’s a sense of that to come in this psalm.
“forget your people and your father’s house, and the king will desire your beauty” (Ps 45:11) – Not saying to literally forget them but to leave them and now cleave to her husband as we read in Genesis. He longs for that honor and respect that Paul also speaks about (Eph 5:33).
“In her chamber, the royal daughter is all glorious, her clothing embroidered with gold” (Ps 45:13) – The bride is made beautiful with her clothes.
“her companions, are brought to you. They are led in with gladness and rejoicing” (Ps 45:14-15) – Her friends celebrate with her with great celebration
“Your sons will succeed your ancestors; you will make them princes throughout the land” (Ps 45:16-17).
This really is a great psalm/song for a wedding. The themes resonate throughout scriptures–celebrating beauty, leaving family and coming together to form a new union, the celebration of friends with joy and gladness and the promise of children and given a name that will be remembered throughout the generaitons.
