SCC

In the Old Testament of the Bible we receive constant glimpses anticipating the deliverer, the Savior, Jesus Christ coming for His people. One kind of glimpse are a series of Messianic Psalms, psalms which look forward to the coming of the Messiah. they cover various facets of His life and ministry. Psalm 22 gives graphic description of his crucifixion. Psalm 16 of his resurrection. Psalm 69 of the betrayal of Judas and the Lords reaction. Psalm 110 of his present ministry with us as our priest before the father. Jesus even told us that psalms spoke of him. Appearing to the disciples in the upper room after his resurrection he said to them These are the words which I spoke unto you while I was yet with you that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the law of Moses and in the prophets and in the psalms concerning me Luke 24:44. There are at least 3 psalms that portray Jesus as King. Psalm 2 the King in his authority. Psalm 72 description of Jesus coming as King. Here in Psalm 45 the King in his beauty! We have here an occasion of celebrating the wedding of the mighty king. In three movements we begin with lavish praise to this royal groom (1-9). Then a charge given to the bride before she enters into the kings presence (10-15). Finally the benediction on the wedding with a prediction of the prosperity of the marriage with many sons ruling (16-17).

A. Personal note 1 The superscription tells us it is a love song inspired we note by the love of this writer for the King he sees. It is designed to teach us something about the beauty of this King. His heart is stirred by his adoration of the king and so inspired the description of this kings beauty just flows from his pen like a love letter flows from one who is stricken in love. He is overwhelmed and cannot contain himself as he wrote for his majesty the king.

(1) Of all humans he was the fairest 2 There is no one like him no one who can compare to him. For example his words were gracious, evidence that God had blessed him. Jesus on one occasion in Luke 4:18ff in his hometown stood up and read from Isaiah and taught other things. It says that all spoke well of him and wondered at his gracious words which came from his mouth.

(2) A Mighty King who champions justice and destroys enemies 3-5 He does so with a sword and arrows penetrating the very heart of his enemies. His victories would be magnificent. Complete and thorough. He rides forth to champion truth, humility and righteousness. Powers are destroyed, forces have to loosen their grasp, powers of darkness driven back and men and women set free. Here we are celebrating the mighty power of Jesus personified in this majestic king to vanquish the spiritual forces of darkness and open mens eyes and release them from their spiritual bondage. His weapons bring not only destruction but deliverance. What a king he is, who rides out in majesty!

(3) He is righteous in his administration 6-7 Here this king is addressed as God. Either meaning God or His human representative. As such his throne would be established forever and would be a righteous reign. Because he loved righteousness and hated wickedness, which indicates the possibility of the opposite, God had blessed him with abundant joy like noone else could have. Hebrews 1:8-9 quotes this passage as fulfilled in Jesus when He reigns forever. So this throne ultimately belongs to Christ. Hebrews 1 also compares the reign of this king to the role of angels to prove that this King, Jesus Christ, is superior to any of the angels. He is not an angel, or merely the highest of created beings, spiritual or human, he himself is God. So His throne is divine and forever with no rivals, no competitors, no equals. Jesus came to live among us and bring this victory! As God and man he appeared on the earth thru birth in a manger in Bethlehem to death on a cross in Jerusalem. He delivered us and rescued us from the enemy. (4) The king was joyfully blessed on his wedding day 8-9 Why this marvelous story of this King who is fairer than all, speaking gracious words, striking the enemy, setting people free, god in the flesh? He has come to get married and prepare for the wedding thats why.

1. He prepared himself 8a. These spices are burial spices and yet they are present at the wedding. This marriage is made possible out of death. Ephesians 5 says Christ loved the church and gave himself for it. Why? In order to present to himself a glorious church, a beautiful bride, without a blemish.

2. He prepared a place 8b. It is a beautiful ivory palace filled with music, celebration, and rejoicing all around. Jesus told us he is going to prepare a place for us and I will come again and receive you unto myself that where I am you may be also John 14:2-3.

3. Bride herself is prepared 9. The king stands with his bride who has been prepared for this occasion in her golden dress. Christ has prepared us by clothing us in his own righteousness. We have been made partakers of the divine nature 2 Pt 1:4. Our position has changed too. All that belongs to him belongs to us.

A. She is available for the king 10-11 Pay homage to her king by forsaking her people for him. The king desired her beauty and she would honor the king this way. We do this by forsaking our old nature we have been depending upon and submitting to the new. Our king desires our beauty too.

B. She is received by the king 12-15 Following this advice she would have blessing, receive favor and then be ushered into the presence of her king to be received by him. We honor Christ is our lives when we give him his rightful place in it as our Lord and King. When we follow him and obey him we become available to him and received by him.

A. His sons will rule with him 16 They will become princes in the land. Jesus is bringing many sons to glory (Heb 2:10). He will have many sons to reign with him.

B. This rule will make the kings name renown 17 Thru his sons reign the king will be remembered and honored everywhere.

Rev 19:6-21 has this Psalm in view. Looking forward to marriage of Christ, John recalls how the bride clothed herself with acts of righteousness in preparation for him 6-8. Then describes the royal groom going forth to battle in righteousness 11-21.