Psalms  ◦   Chapter 45

1My heart is filled with a beautiful truth
as I recite my sonnet for the king;
my tongue is like the pen of an accomplished writer.

2You are the most perfect son of man;
grace pours forth from your mouth,
because God has blessed you forever.

3Take up your sword of truth, O Mighty One;
reveal your glorious and majestic character of love.

4In your perfect character of love, ride forth victoriously.
In truth, in humble condescension and harmony with God’s design,
let your life reveal your awesome achievements.

5May your sharp arrows of truth pierce the hearts of the king’s enemies,
and may the nations fall prostrate before you.

6The foundation of your government — the throne of your authority, O God — will last forever,
and righteousness will be the governing principle.

7You have loved the methods of righteousness — the methods of love, truth and freedom —
and hated the way of wickedness with its principles of selfishness, deceit and coercion,
therefore God, your God, has set you above all beings
by anointing you with the oil of joy.

8You are dressed in the most beautiful character,
sweet like the most fragrant myrrh, aloes and cinnamon;
from within the heavenly temple you rejoice.

9Daughters of world-rulers are your honored guests,
and your bride stands beside you dressed in the gold of a Godly character.

10Bride of the king, listen to what I say:
Forget the place of your birth and your father’s estate,

11for the king greatly desires to make you beautiful;
worship him, for he is the Lord.

12The children of this selfish world will come with their gifts;
people of wealth will seek your affection.

13The bride is absolutely glorious —
adorned in the gold of a Godlike character.

14Dressed in beautifully embroidered clothing, she is led to the king;
her loyal and pure-hearted friends go with her.

15They come overflowing with joy and gladness
and enter the king’s palace.

16Your children will replace those from the ancient past;
you will make them rulers over the entire earth.

17I will cause your character of love to be remembered through all generations —
then the nations will praise you for ever and ever.