PSALM 45
Poem about a Royal Wedding verse 1
My heart is inditing (overflowing) a good matter
I speak of the things which I have made touching the king
my tongue is the pen of a ready writer
King is to ride out to victory verse 2- 5
You are fairer than the children of men – grace is poured into your lips
therefore God has blessed you forever
gird your sword on your thigh – O most mighty
with your glory and your majesty
and in your majesty ride prosperously because of
truth – meekness – righteousness
nd your right hand shall teach you terrible things
Your arrows are sharp in the heart of the king’s enemies
whereby the people fall under you
King is to rule forever verse 6- 9
Your throne – O God – is forever and ever
the scepter of your kingdom is a right scepter [Heb. 1: 8 Christ]
You love righteousness – and hate wickedness
THEREFORE God – your God
has anointed you with the oil of gladness
above your fellows
All your garments smell of myrrh and aloes and cassia
out of the ivory palaces – whereby they have made you glad
Kings’ daughters were among your honorable women
on your right hand did stand the queen in gold of Ophir
Bride of the King is led to him verse 10- 15
Hearken – O daughter – and consider and incline your ear
forget also your own people – and your father’s house
so shall the king greatly desire your beauty
for he is your Lord – and worship you him
And the daughter of Tyre shall be there with a gift
even the rich among the people shall entreat your favor
The king’s daughter is all glorious within
her clothing is of wrought gold
she shall be brought to the king in raiment of needlework
the virgins her companions that follow her shall be brought
to you with gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought
they shall enter into the king’s palace
King to be praised forever verse 16- 17
Instead of your fathers shall be your children
whom you may make princes in all the earth
I will make your name to be remembered in all generations
THEREFORE shall the people praise you forever and ever
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
:1 “My heart is overflowing with a good theme; I recite my composition concerning the King; My tongue is the pen of a ready writer.” The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982). (Heart – 3820 לֵב, לֵב קָמָי [leb /labe/] n m. A form of 3824; TWOT 1071a; GK 4213 and 4214; 592 occurrences; AV translates as “heart” 508 times, “mind” 12 times, “midst” 11 times, “understanding” 10 times, “hearted” seven times, “wisdom” six times, “comfortably” four times, “well” four times, “considered” twice, “friendly” twice, “kindly” twice, “stouthearted + 47” twice, “care + 7760” twice, and translated miscellaneously 20 times. 1 inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding. 1A inner part, midst. 1A1 midst (of things). 1A2 heart (of man). 1A3 soul, heart (of man). 1A4 mind, knowledge, thinking, reflection, memory. 1A5 inclination, resolution, determination (of will). 1A6 conscience. 1A7 heart (of moral character). 1A8 as seat of appetites. 1A9 as seat of emotions and passions. 1A10 as seat of courage. James Strong, Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2001).
DEVOTION: In this Royal psalm the author is exuberant in his desire to make his king known to the world. Anyone within the range of his voice was going to hear of king! As the heart was overflowing so his lips could not contain the joy and praise he felt.
Do we look and give a testimony of our God and king at every opportunity that we have? Is our heart is full of God’s love and grace that we cannot be silent but burst forth with His work and love to everyone we meet? To be in love and adore the Most High in that way!
CHALLENGE: As D.L. Moody resolved to do when he was alive may we not lay our head down to sleep until we have told someone of the love of Jesus. May our hearts be full and overflowing with the good theme of our Savior today! (Dr. Brian Miller – board member)
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
:6 “YOUR throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of YOUR kingdom is a right sceptre.” (“Sceptre,” 7626 שֵׁבֶט [shebet], 1 rod, staff, branch, offshoot, club, sceptre, tribe. 1a rod, staff. 1b shaft (of spear, dart). 1c club (of shepherd’s implement). 1d truncheon, sceptre (mark of authority). 1e clan, tribe. [Strong, J. (2001). Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software]).
DEVOTION: This psalm by the sons of Korah is celebrating the King’s marriage, most likely that of Solomon. He extols the majesty of the king as well as the beauty of his bride. Most likely this psalm would have been repeated at other royal weddings as well. The psalmists commemorate the power of the king, which is based on his desire to live and rule uprightly. The scepter was a visible reminder to the king that he was to rule with both power and wisdom.
Yet we know that Solomon went on to have 700 wives and 300 concubines. He also did not finish well in the faith, since he allowed his wives to lead him away from his devotion to the Lord. So this psalm becomes a psalm about a future king of Israel, one who will fulfill it in its description of kingly power and uprightness. The author of Hebrews takes this passage and applies to Christ (Hebrews 1:8-9).
Jesus Christ came the first time to earth in order to live a humble life and not that of a king. But a time is coming when He will return in power and glory to claim His bride, and that is when the true marriage of Christ and the church will take place (Revelation 19). We are looking forward to the day when Jesus returns to take us with Him, and then every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Philippians 2:10-11)!
CHALLENGE: Let’s not lose heart, for the King is coming! Do we live in hope of His return? This will encourage you no matter what you face today. (Dr. Marc Wooten – board member)
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: 6 YOUR throne, O God, is forever and ever: the scepter of your kings is the right scepter. (7626 “scepter” [shebet] means to branch off, correction, dart, rod, staff, or tribe.)
DEVOTION: Marriage is honorable. Here we have a psalmist writing about a marriage between a king and a bride. The king is described first as on who is handsome. His words are full of grace. He is blessed of the LORD. He is going to be prosperous in battle.
Then we receive a verse calling the king God. It states that is kingdom shall be forever. He is going to reign in righteousness and hate wickedness. The New Testament uses this verse in Hebrews 1: 8, to describe the reign of the Messiah or Jesus Christ when HE returns.
This is a Messianic Psalm. It is predicting the wedding of the Messiah and his bride. The church is the bride of Christ. Christ is going to reign forever on his throne. HIS tribe is the tribe of Judah. HE is a descendent of David.
The descriptions in this psalm tell us that we need to complement one another. It is good to realize that the Messiah’s kingdom is the right kingdom to come. HE is going to ride on truth, meekness and righteousness. HE is going to teach.
We need to realize our relationship with Christ, the Messiah. We are engaged to HIM, if we are followers of him as our personal Savior. HE has given us an engagement ring of the Holy Spirit to show us the wedding is going to take place.
Our marriages are to be an example to the rest of the world of the relationship between Christ and the church. The Bible teaches that marriage is between one man and one woman only. God hates divorce. HE does not hate those who are divorced. There is only one unpardonable sin: rejection of Jesus Christ.
Marriage is important to the LORD. Husbands are to love their wives and wives are to honor their husbands. Are we showing this type of relationship? Should we be? Pray for the marriages of our leaders daily. Pray for the marriages of all those who are followers of the LORD. The institution of marriage is under fire today.
Husbands and wives have different responsibilities in the eyes of the LORD. The husband is to be the head of the family as Christ is the head of the church. If a husband is not allowed to lead, there will be problems in the home. If the husband chooses not to lead he has to answer to the LORD. Our churches need strong marriages.
We have this example in the psalm and we have the example of the Father with Israel. Are we learning from these examples?
CHALLENGE: Marriage is important to the LORD. Each individual in a marriage will answer to the LORD. Husbands, wives and children will answer to the LORD for their actions. Let us let Christ rule in our homes.
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 7 YOU love righteousness, and hate wickedness: therefore God, YOUR God, has anointed YOU with the oil of gladness above YOUR fellows. (4886 “anointed” [mashach] means to smear with liquid, to administer an oil or ointment to, often in a religious ceremony of blessing or dedication or consecration, paint, be rubbed with, or spread a liquid.)
DEVOTION: Jesus is the Savior of the World. HE is going to be anointed by the LORD in the eyes of the world. Every believer will be anointed with oil by Jesus.
There will be gladness when we come to the end of the world and when Jesus is reigning over the world with truth and justice. Those who don’t know Jesus will be judged and sent to the place of torment for eternity and those who are believers will be anointed with gladness because the end has finally come to the battle.
We face a battle each day with the world, the flesh and the devil but at this point that battle with be over and we will be shown to be the victors because of our trust in Jesus.
Believers are to be the group that love righteousness and hate wickedness. It seems that there are some who claim to be followers of Christ who seem to love wickedness instead of hating it.
Our actions need to be ones that show our love for that which is right. We need to confess when we do wrong and with the help of the LORD try to live a life that is pleasing to the LORD.
It is not easy to live a righteous life. We can only do it with the help of the Holy Spirit in our lives. We need to yield to HIM each moment of each day and this is only done through the help of the LORD.
CHALLENGE: Are we asking the LORD each moment of each day for HIS help regarding this matter?
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: 17 I will make YOUR name to be remembered in all generations: therefore shall the people praise YOU forever and ever. (2142 “remembered” [zakar] means to cause something to be remembered by others, remind, keep in remembrance, to record, to make a memorial)
DEVOTION: It is thought that this Psalm is talking about the marriage of Jesus Christ and the church. The bride with be clothed in righteousness when they meet Jesus in the end times. HE is described as the royal groom going forth to battle in righteousness. This can only be Jesus who will be the king of kings in the end times.
This is the marriage of the church and Jesus with the believers of the children of Israel. It will be the marriage of all times. The celebration will go on throughout eternity.
We are looking forward to this time which is still future. We have to be prepared for the Bridegroom, when HE comes. It can be any time and we should be ready.
Too often we are waiting and get bored with waiting for something to happen. We should be excited that HE might come within our lifetime and be active as if it will be even if we don’t know the exact time of HIS return.
God wants us to be good servants at all times. We should be praising HIM at all time. We should be saying with the saints: “Even so come LORD Jesus” as John wrote in the final book of the Bible.
CHALLENGE: Do we expect the LORD to return at any time? IF so, are we ready for it with our praise and with our actions!
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DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
SOUL
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
Frugality (wise use of resources)
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
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DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
God – Elohim (Creator, Sovereign) verse 2, 7
Thone forever verse 6
Scepter of kingdom is a right scepter verse 6
God YOUR God verse 7
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)
God the Son a mighty king verse 1- 17
God verse 6
Lord verse 11
Worship verse 11
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
King’s enemies verse 5
Daughter of Tyre verse 12
Gift for king
Virgins verse 14
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Wickedness verse 7
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Blessed verse 2
Truth verse 4
Meekness verse 4
Righteousness verse 4, 7
Perform awe-inspiring deeds verse 4
Teach verse 4
Anointed verse 7
Gladness verse 7, 8, 15
Rejoicing verse 15
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Descendants of Korah verse 1-17
Tongue is the pen of a ready writer
God has blessed sons of Korah
Honoring a mighty king verse 2- 17
God has blessed forever
Gird your sword
Had glory and majesty
Told to ride prosperously
Anointed with oil of gladness
Above his fellows
Garments smell of myrrh, aloes, cassia
Ivory palaces
Made glad
He is Lord
Worship him
Palace
People praise YOU forever and ever
King’s daughters verse 9, 13
Among honorable women
Glorious within her clothing
of wrought gold
Queen in gold of Ophir verse 9, 11
Beauty
Father’s house verse 10
Told to the queen
Rich people verse 12
Princes verse 16
Church (New Testament people of God)
Last Things (Future Events)
Praise forever and ever verse 17
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QUOTES regarding passage
12. The bride’s submission to her partner as both husband and king (11b; cf. Sarah’s use of the word lord, Gen. 18:12, av, rv) goes hand in hand with the dignity she also derives from him. His friends and subjects are now hers; she is the gainer, not the loser, by her homage. Tyre is mentioned as the last word in wealth (cf. Ezek. 27) and at the same time an old trading partner of David and Solomon. The Hebrew has ‘the daughter of Tyre’, which rsv is probably right in taking to mean the people (cf. e.g. Isa. 47) rather than an individual. Whether the first phrase of verse 13 (with all kinds of wealth) should be joined to verse 12, as in rsv and most moderns, or to the rest of verse 13, is a moot point and of small importance. (Kidner, D. (1973). Psalms 1–72: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 15, p. 190). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.)
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45:10–11. The psalmist gave his charge to the bride before she was conducted into the king’s presence. He instructed her to do homage to her lord the king, forsaking her people. He explained that because the king desired (the Heb. means more than was enthralled by) her beauty, she should honor him.
45:12. Following his advice, he said that she would have blessings if she obeyed his instruction. She would receive a gift from Tyre and wealthy people would seek her favor perhaps by giving her expensive gifts. (Ross, A. P. (1985). Psalms. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 828). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
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Next comes the preparation of the bride (vv. 10–13). Today, the church of Jesus Christ is spotted by the world and looking old and wrinkled because of inner decay, but one day it shall be a glorious bride, spotless, blameless, and without spot or wrinkle (Eph. 5:27). Though criticized today, the church in that day will be beautiful and bring great glory to Christ (Eph. 1:6–12, 18). As the queen waits within her palace chamber (v. 13), she is dressed in the finest garments, embroidered with the finest gold (1 Kings 9:28), and she is given counsel as she enters this new relationship. She must forget the past, submit to her Husband the King, and seek only to please Him. What a word for the church in the world today—“forgetting those things which are behind” (Phil. 3:13). Our Lord loves us and sees beauty in His bride, and we must acknowledge that He is Lord and worship Him, showing respect and homage to Him (1 Peter 3:6; Gen. 18:12). It would be idolatry to worship a human king, but this is the King of Glory (24:7–10). “The daughter of Tyre” means “the people of Tyre,” just as “the daughter of Zion” means “the inhabitants of Jerusalem” (Matt. 21:5; Isa. 4:4). Tyre was a powerful and wealthy city in David’s day, and its king was the first foreign ruler to recognize the kingship of David (2 Sam. 5:11). There will come a time when the kings of the earth will bring their wealth and glory into the city of the great King (Rev. 21:24–26). (Wiersbe, W. W. (2004). Be worshipful (1st ed., pp. 171–172). Colorado Springs, CO: Cook Communications Ministries.)
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Ver. 11. So shall the King greatly desire thy beauty, &c.] Which lies in the comeliness or righteousness of Christ put upon her; in the holiness of Christ reckoned to her; in being washed from all sin in the blood of Christ; in the graces of the spirit being implanted in her, in which the beauty of holiness lies; in the salvation she is interested in, and beautified with; in enjoying the order and ordinance of Christ’s house, and in having the presence of God and Christ with her: and this beauty is not natural, nor acquired by her, but what is given her; it is not an outward, but an inward beauty; nor is it fictitious, but real; it is perfect through the comeliness of her Lord upon her; and it is durable as the olive-tree: and this is greatly desired by Christ, who delights in her, and to behold her countenance; seeks after her company, and will have her where he is, that she may behold his glory, and he may behold her beauty. For he is thy Lord; not only by creation, but by redemption, and in right of marriage, as well as on account of other relations he stands in to her, as Father, Head, King, and Master; and it is her privilege that he is her Lord, as well as her duty to own the relation; since, though he is a sovereign Lord, he is no tyrannical one, but governs with gentleness, and he has all power to protect her, and all fulness to supply her wants; and on account of his being her Husband, Lord, and Head, he has a right of worship from her, as follows. And worship thou him; both internally, by the exercise of faith, hope, and love upon him; and externally, by praying to him, praising of him, and attending on all his ordinances, and doing everything in a religious way, in his name, according to his word, and by his authority; and such worship should be in spirit and in truth, in sincerity, and without hypocrisy, in righteousness and true holiness, and with reverence and godly fear. (Gill, J. (1810). An Exposition of the Old Testament (Vol. 3, p. 715). London: Mathews and Leigh.)
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11. “So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty.” Whole-hearted love is the duty and bliss of the marriage state in every case, but especially so in this lofty, mystic marriage. The church must forsake all others and cleave to Jesus only, or she will not please him nor enjoy the full manifestation of his love. What less can he ask, what less may she dare propose than to be wholly his? Jesus sees a beauty in his church, a beauty which he delights in most when it is not marred by worldliness. He has always been most near and precious to his saints when they have cheerfully taken up his cross and followed him without the camp. His Spirit is grieved when they mingle themselves among the people and learn their ways. No great and lasting revival of religion can be granted us till the professed lovers of Jesus prove their affection by coming out from an ungodly world, being separated, and touching not the unclean thing. “For he is thy Lord; and worship thou him.” He has royal rights still; his condescending grace does not lessen but rather enforce his authority. Our Saviour is also our Ruler. The husband is the head of the wife; the love he bears her does not lessen but strengthen her obligation to obey. The church must reverence Jesus, and bow before him in prostrate adoration; his tender union with her gives her liberty, but not license; it frees her from all other burdens, but places his easy yoke upon her neck. Who would wish it to be otherwise? The service of God is heaven in heaven, and perfectly carried out it is heaven upon earth. Jesus, thou art he whom thy church praises in her unceasing songs, and adores in her perpetual service. Teach us to be wholly thine. Bear with us, and work by thy Spirit in us till thy will is done by us on earth as it is in heaven. (Spurgeon, C. H. (n.d.). The treasury of David: Psalms 27-57 (Vol. 2, p. 320). London; Edinburgh; New York: Marshall Brothers.)
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10–11. This is a tender and affectionate address, to the Church, the Lamb’s wife. And if we suppose God our Father thus speaking to the whole body of believers, concerning their union with his Son, as our glorious Husband and Redeemer, it gives a sweetness and strength to all that is said, inexpressibly endearing. Reader, how fit, how just, and reasonable it is, that if God our Father hath given us his dear Son; if Jesus hath purchased us by his blood; if, by the conquests of his Holy Spirit, he hath subdued the natural hatred of our hearts, and brought us over to a voluntary surrender of ourselves to our God and Saviour for ever; we to forget all objects which would thwart his gracious purpose, and so delight ourselves wholly in Jesus, as Jesus delights in his people. Zeph. 3:17. (Hawker, R. (2013). Poor Man’s Old Testament Commentary: Job–Psalms (Vol. 4, pp. 308–309). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.)
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FROM MY READING:
(Remember the only author that I totally agree with is the HOLY SPIRIT in the inerrant WORD OF GOD called THE BIBLE! All other I try to gleam what I can to help me grow in the LORD!!)
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Because Christ was man as well as God, He is able to give aid to us who are human.
INSIGHT
Jesus is God, but He was also man; Jesus was man, but He is also God. It is essential that Christ be both God and man. If Christ were not man, He could not have died for our sins. If He were not God, His death would not have been sufficient to pay the price for the sin of mankind. Christ was the perfect sacrifice. In fact, He was the only possible sacrifice able to atone for the sins of man and appease the wrath of God. As you continue to read the book of Hebrews, you will realize that the author’s main point is simply this – the superiority of Jesus Christ. (Quiet Walk)
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Belief Systems Drive Global Events
“For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” (1 John 2:16-17)
In the broadest sense, there are only two belief systems: theism and naturalism. One believes in supernatural influence on the affairs of men and as the foundation of purpose and order, the other does not. The vast majority of the world is theistic (though not creationist) in its worldview. Only the “civilized world” is arrogant enough to consciously exclude the supernatural from its thinking. But this is the key: “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7). This is why we are clearly told, “Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life” (Proverbs 4:23).
Underlying all, of course, is the great Adversary, who seeks to draw the worship of all men to himself and replace all “gods” as the god of this world. Satan is driven, like “a roaring lion,” to devour all who oppose him (1 Peter 5:8). The real war is a spiritual one (Ephesians 6:12-13). President George W. Bush was correct when he insisted that the campaign against modern terrorism will be “unlike any other we have ever seen.” It will be worldwide in scope, transcultural in impact, and years in the execution.
Will terrorists be eliminated and evil conquered? Not until Jesus Christ sets up His millennial reign. But we can “overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21), and we can “reign in life” (Romans 5:17). Freedom is administered through truth (John 8:32, 36), and Satan, when resisted in “the faith” (1 Peter 5:9), will “flee” (James 4:7).
(HMM III, The Institute for Creation Research)
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The Will of God
Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Psalm 62:5
God’s will is sometimes hard to follow. He asks us to do the right things. He calls us to endure hardship without complaining; to love awkward people; to heed the voice inside us that says, You mustn’t; to take steps we’d rather not take. So, we must tell our souls all day long: “Hey soul, listen up. Be silent: Do what Jesus is asking you to do.”
“My soul waits in silence for God alone” (Psalm 62:1 nasb). “My soul, wait in silence for God alone” (62:5 nasb). The verses are similar, but different. David says something about his soul; then says something to his soul. “Waits in silence” addresses a decision, a settled state of mind. “Wait in silence” is David stirring his soul to remember that decision.
David determines to live in silence—quiet submission to God’s will. This is our calling as well, the thing for which we were created. We’ll be at peace when we’ve agreed: “Not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42). This is our first and highest calling when we make Him Lord and the source of our deepest pleasure. “I desire to do your will,” the psalmist said (Psalm 40:8).
We must always ask for God’s help, of course, for our “hope comes from him” (62:5). When we ask for His help, He delivers it. God never asks us to do anything He won’t or can’t do. By David H. Roper (Our Daily Bread)
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THE SAVIOR OF THE WORLD
And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world.
1 John 4:14
The whole biblical meaning of this particular term should be put like this: Christ is the Savior as the result of something that He has done. We must get rid once and forever of the idea that we are the actors or doers and merely receive encouragement from Him. Not at all! The biblical representation is that God sent Him into the world to do something, and that we are saved as the result of something He has done quite apart from ourselves and our own action. He has acted, and it is His action that produces salvation and the way of escape for us.
Now here is something that is utterly fundamental and primary, and unless we are agreed with this statement there is really no point or purpose in proceeding any further. Salvation, according to the New Testament—take, for instance, Colossians 1 where you have a perfect illustration of salvation—is something that is entirely worked out by the Lord Jesus Christ. It is something that has come to men and women as a free gift to them, and they have nothing to do but to receive this gift. It is something provided; it is the righteousness of God that is given.
That is something that is surely basic, and of course there is no phrase, perhaps, that puts all this more perfectly than that great and glorious phrase that was uttered by our Lord Himself upon the cross when He cried out, “It is finished” (John 19:30). With His last breath, as it were, He cried out, “I have done it! I have completed the work that You gave Me to do.” It is He who saves, and our salvation comes from Him and is derived from something He has done once and forever on our behalf.
A Thought to Ponder
Salvation, according to the New Testament, is something that is entirely worked out by the Lord Jesus Christ.
(From The Love of God, pp. 135-136, by. Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
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There can be little doubt that this psalm was in the mind of John as he wrote Revelation 19:6-21. As he looked forward to the marriage of Christ, the Lamb, in heaven, he recalled how the bride clothed herself with acts of righteousness in preparation for Him (Rev. 19:6-8). Then John described the royal groom going forth to battle in righteousness (Rev. 19:11-21). Psalm 45, then, is typological of the greater Davidic King, Jesus Christ. (Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. (1983-). The Bible Knowledge Commentary : An exposition of the scriptures (Ps 45:16–17).)
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Prepared Hearts
“For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.” (Ezra 7:10)
It does not come naturally into our hearts to seek, obey, and then teach others the words of God as found in the Scriptures. Therefore, like Ezra, we must prepare our hearts.
The Hebrew word for “prepare” means to “stand erect,” and thus takes special effort. One’s natural “heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked” (Jeremiah 17:9), not at all inclined to “stand up” for the Word of God.
But Ezra did, even in the court of a pagan king and in the midst of the enemies of God’s people in a far country, and even among the backslidden people of his own nation. He prepared his heart, fixing it in firm faith on the laws and promises of God. And because he did, he could testify: “I was strengthened as the hand of the LORD my God was upon me” (Ezra 7:28).
On the other hand we read, for example, of King Rehoboam whose rebellion and sin led to the dividing of Israel into two kingdoms and eventually into the captivity. These judgments came because, unlike Ezra, Rehoboam “did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the LORD” (2 Chronicles 12:14).
Thus, our hearts need to be prepared to seek God and His Word, but how do we get them prepared? First, we must come to Him in true humility. “LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear” (Psalm 10:17).
God is then the One who actually prepares our hearts! “The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD” (Proverbs 16:1). We can only prepare our hearts to seek and serve God if we humbly call on Him to do the preparing. (HMM, The Institute for Creation Research)
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Hezekiah institutes a reign of righteousness.
INSIGHT
It is wonderful that such a wicked man as Ahaz had such a righteous son as Hezekiah. It is difficult to stand against moral disintegration–especially when it is all around you and generally accepted. It is also likely the fall of the Northern Kingdom is a great incentive to root out idolatry. God richly rewards Hezekiah for his moral courage and leadership, demonstrating the validity of 2 Chronicles 16:9: “The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.” (Quiet Walk)
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WHAT TO PRAY FOR IN REVIVAL
Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven.
1 Peter 1:11-12
Consider God’s unusual attestation, this indication that the church is His, that it is His power that is within her, that she is unique, that this is not of men. A man can preach without the Holy Spirit. We need the demonstration of the Spirit and of power. “The Holy Ghost [was] sent down from heaven”; the descent of power, this uniqueness, this special manifestation of the presence and of the power of God. That is always the most urgent petition in the mouths and on the lips of those who see the position as it is and who see the need of revival! “Authenticate Thy word. Lord God, let it be known beyond a doubt that we are Thy people. Shake us!” I do not ask Him to shake the building, but I ask Him to shake us.
It is clear that revival is nothing that man can produce or organize; it is plain that it is an act of God. God authenticating His people, their work, and their message, and saying, “Yes, these are My people. And I am doing something in their midst that I never will do among anyone but My own people.” Are we clear that the prayer for revival is not the prayer for regular blessing on the work “we must always go on doing that” it is the prayer for the unusual on top of it, in addition to it, something special, something that authenticates God and His work among His people.
A Thought to Ponder : Revival is nothing that man can produce or organize; it is an act of God. (From Revival, pp. 185-186, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones.)
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Big Brothers and Sisters
Am I my brother’s keeper? GENESIS 4:9
We were having dinner recently with four couples. As the evening progressed, one of them shared her struggle with a sister, who at the age of 45 is chronically ill and likely a hypochondriac. This prompted another friend to share how his brother was in an unhealthy, codependent relationship with his 90-year-old mother. Around the table it went—each of them with their own story to tell
about strain with an adult sibling.
As Barbara and I drove home, the thought struck me: The problem with families is that all of us come from one! They can indeed be stormy at times, defying predictability, routinely disruptive—a lot like Cain and Abel in Genesis 4.
Perhaps one of you is estranged from a brother or sister. Perhaps many months or even years have gone by since you’ve talked with or seen each other. Perhaps you have a sibling who still doesn’t have his or her life together and continues taking advantage of your parents. Perhaps no matter what you or anyone else does to help, he or she cannot walk a straight line, keep a job or stay out of trouble.
I believe wisdom offers us three principles in trying to deal with this:
1. Realize you’re not alone. Sibling difficulty was an issue in the very first family—something between Cain and Abel, as I recall—and it continues to stain most families today as they age and expand. What you’re dealing with is unfortunately more normal than abnormal.
2. Stop trying to change them. If you have a tendency to be the 9-1-1 rescue responder, resign from that role. Put your trust in a big God, and turn the job over to Him. He’s good at it.
3. Forgive them. Resist resentment. Stop punishing them. Give them the grace and mercy you have received from the Lord, and choose to love them, even if it must be from a safe distance.
DISCUSS
Rather than recounting the troubles between you and your adult siblings (or your parents), take this time to discuss how you could apply these three principles to your situation. (Moments with You Couples Devotional by Dennis and Barbara Rainey)
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