Psalms 45

1 To the Chief Musician. On Shoshannim. For the Sons of Korah. A Psalm of Instruction. A Song of Love. Overflowed hath my heart, with an excellent theme, I will recite my poem concerning the king, Be, my tongue, [like] the pen of a scribe who is skilled.

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 skilful writer.

2 Most beautiful thou art, beyond the sons of men, Graciousness hath been poured forth by thy lips, For this cause, hath God blessed thee, to times age-abiding.

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

3 Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O mighty one, [’Tis] thine honour and thy majesty;

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

4 And, [in] thy majesty, be successful! ride forth! on behalf of faithfulness, and humility—righteousness, And let thine own right hand show thee wonderful things.

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

5 Thine arrows, are sharp—Peoples, under thee, fall! In the heart of the foes of the king.

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

6 Thy throne, O God, is to times age-abiding and beyond, A sceptre of equity, is the sceptre of thy kingdom.

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

7 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated lawlessness, —For this cause, hath God, thine own God, anointed thee, With the oil of gladness, beyond thy partners.

You have loved righteousness, and hated wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows.

8 Myrrh and aloes, cassias, all thy garments, —Out of the palaces of ivory, the tones of strings, have rejoiced thee.

All your garments smell like myrrh, aloes, and cassia. Out of ivory palaces stringed instruments have made you glad.

9 Daughters of kings, are among thine honourable women, Stationed is the bride at thy right hand, in gold of Ophir.

Kings’ daughters are amongst your honourable women. At your right hand the queen stands in gold of Ophir.

10 Hearken, O daughter, and observe, Incline also thine ear, Forget, then, thine own people, And the house of thy father;

Listen, daughter, consider, and turn your ear. Forget your own people, and also your father’s house.

11 When the king shall desire thy beauty, Surely, he, is thy lord, then bow down to him.

So the king will desire your beauty, honour him, for he is your lord.

12 Also, the daughter of Tyre, [cometh in] with a present! Thy face, shall the rich of the people appease.

The daughter of Tyre comes with a gift. The rich amongst the people entreat your favour.

13 All glorious—the daughter of a king [sitteth] within, Brocades, wrought with gold, [are] her clothing!

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

14 In embroidered raiment, shall she be brought unto the king—The virgins that follow her, her companions, are to be conducted unto thee:

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

15 They shall be brought, with rejoicings and exultation, —They shall enter into the palace of the king!

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

16 Instead of thy fathers, be thy sons, Thou shalt make them rulers in all the earth.

Your sons will take the place of your fathers. You shall make them princes in all the earth.

17 I will keep in remembrance thy Name, through each succeeding generation, For this cause, peoples, shall praise thee, to times age-abiding and beyond.

I will make your name to be remembered in all generations. Therefore the peoples shall give you thanks forever and ever.