Sermon Central
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A Song Of Loves
Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 21, 2018 (message contributor)
Summary: Both Psalm 45:6-7 and Hebrews 1:8-9 address Jesus as God, yet distinguish Jesus from God.
A SONG OF LOVES.
The mysterious word in the title of this Psalm, ‘Shoshannim’, may refer to a six-stringed instrument, or to the scattering of roses or lilies around the nuptial bed: what we might call confetti today. The word ‘Maschil’ may be a musical reference, but also speaks of understanding. This is a song about love: but principally about the love of Christ and the Church (cf. Ephesians 5:32).
The Psalmist wrote of things beyond his natural knowledge. As a prophet, he sought diligently and inquired after the grace that was to come (1 Peter 1:10). Then he spoke and wrote as the Spirit of God led him (2 Peter 1:21).
Psalms 45:1-2. Seeing Jesus as He is.
The believer’s heart, in grateful adoration, is ever contemplating the goodness of the Lord. When our hearts thus bubble over in love toward King Jesus, we cannot remain silent: our thoughts must needs give expression in words. The Psalmist found his tongue to be the pen of a ready writer (Psalms 45:1), all set to make this contribution to Scripture.
Psalms 45:2 begins, “You are fairer than the children of men” This is how we first discover Jesus to be. Of all men, He alone is the flawless One (1 Peter 2:22; 1 John 3:5).
It continues, “grace is poured into your lips.” As the best of men, and our sacrifice, we receive grace from His grace (John 1:16). And grace pours forth from His lips (Luke 4:22).
In consequence, the verse concludes, “therefore God has blessed you for ever.” We receive our blessings only in Him (Ephesians 1:3). He redeemed us ‘that we might receive the blessing of Abraham’ (Galatians 3:14).
Psalm 45:6-7. The excellency of His rule.
As part of his argument to establish the superiority of Jesus to the angels, the writer to the Hebrews says, ‘Unto the Son He says, “Your throne O God is for ever and ever”’ (Hebrews 1:8; quoting Psalms 45:6). The Holy Spirit, speaking first through the Psalmist and then through the writer to the Hebrews, addresses Jesus as God, yet distinguishes Jesus from God.
We saw in passing that God’s blessing upon Jesus is “for ever” (Psalms 45:2). Now we perceive that His throne is to be “for ever and ever” (Psalms 45:6; cf. Psalms 72:17). ‘Of the increase of His government and of peace there shall be no end’ (Isaiah 9:7). Jesus’ sceptre is a “right” sceptre.
“You love righteousness and hate wickedness” (Psalms 45:7a; Hebrews 1:9a). It is He who ushers in ‘everlasting righteousness’ (Daniel 9:24) by the shedding of His blood upon the Cross.
It is through Jesus’ sacrifice that God is seen to be both ‘just’ and ‘the justifier’ of all that come to Him (Romans 3:26). God’s abhorrence of sin is seen in sharpest relief at the Cross: but it is there also that His justice in justifying the wicked is vindicated. Jesus became sin for us, ‘that we might become the righteousness of God in Him’ (2 Corinthians 5:21).
“Therefore God, even your God has anointed you” (Psalms 45:7b; quoted in Hebrews 1:9b). Jesus owns the Father as His God (John 20:17). He was equipped for the ministry to which He was called by the pouring forth of the Holy Spirit at His baptism (Acts 10:38).
The Spirit is called here, “the oil of gladness” (Psalms 45:7c) because Jesus was willing and ready above any of His fellows, whether priests or kings, to fulfil His commission (Psalms 40:8; cf. Hebrews 10:7). O that we might have the like commitment!
Psalms 45:8-9. The beauty of His court.
First, there is the fragrance of His royal garments (Psalms 45:8), arising from the uniqueness of His anointing (cf. Exodus 30:37). It is a sweet Spiritual savour of grace and comfort, drawing believers to Him and making Him precious to them (Song of Songs 1:3-4; 1 Peter 2:6-7). His “gladness” arises from ‘the joy which was set before Him’ (Hebrews 12:2), which was the satisfaction of ‘seeing of the travail of His soul’ (Isaiah 53:11).
It was out of the “ivory palaces” (Psalms 45:8), the royal mansions above, that Jesus came, into this world of woe. It is to the mansions above that He will bring His people at last, when He returns for us (John 14:2-3). There His servants shall enter into the joy of their Lord (Matthew 25:21; Matthew 25:23).
The King’s daughters and honourable women (Psalms 45:9) represent all true believers, born from above and adorned with the beauty of Christ. The queen in gold of Ophir is the Church, clothed in the righteousness of Jesus (Revelation 19:8). We owe our redemption not to corruptible things, but to the precious blood of the Son of God (1 Peter 1:18-19).