Joy
Rejoice in the eternal reign and relationship of Christ with His people.
Psalm 45 is a breathtaking celebration of a royal wedding, rich with imagery of majesty, devotion, and joy. While it originally honored an earthly king and bride, its deeper meaning points to Jesus Christ, the ultimate King, and His bride, the Church. This psalm invites us into the story of the coming King and His bride, a story of eternal love and redemption that culminates in Christ’s return and our union with Him forever.
The psalm opens with a vivid portrait of the King’s beauty and excellence. He is described as a man of commanding presence: “You are the most handsome of men; grace flows from your lips. Therefore God has blessed you forever” (v. 2). His beauty is not merely outward but reflects His perfect character and the power of His words, full of grace and truth. He is also a mighty warrior, riding triumphantly to defend truth, humility, and justice, defeating His enemies with awe-inspiring strength (vv. 3-5). Yet His power is coupled with righteousness. He loves what is right and hates what is wrong, ruling with fairness and compassion (v. 7). Most strikingly, He is a joyful King, anointed with the oil of gladness, radiating supernatural joy and bringing celebration wherever He reigns (vv. 7-8). Jesus fulfills this picture perfectly as the King who draws us with His grace, triumphs over sin and death, and reigns in righteousness and joy forever.
The psalm then turns to the bride, calling her to prepare for her groom. She is told to leave her old life behind, a call to forsake worldly attachments and devote herself fully to the King (v. 10). She is also encouraged to honor and revere her groom, recognizing that her beauty comes from Him. This reflects the Church’s relationship with Christ, as we are adorned with His righteousness, made beautiful through His grace (v. 11). The bride is then invited to anticipate the joyful procession when the groom will take her to the palace, a reflection of the ultimate wedding feast at the marriage supper of the Lamb (vv. 13-15; Revelation 19:7-9). The psalm closes with a blessing, foretelling an eternal legacy and a kingdom filled with people from every nation who will praise the King forever (vv. 16-17).
Psalm 45 is more than a song for an earthly wedding—it’s our wedding song. It reminds us that Jesus, our King, came to rescue His bride from sin and death. Through faith, we are now betrothed to Him, sealed with the promise of His return (2 Corinthians 11:2). Revelation 19:7-9 declares that one day the marriage supper of the Lamb will take place, and Jesus will return in glory to unite us with Himself forever. In that eternal kingdom, our salvation will be complete, and we will rejoice with Him in perfect joy.
As we reflect on this truth, we are called to respond like the bride in the psalm: to leave behind distractions, honor Christ as our Lord, and live with joyful anticipation of His return. Advent reminds us that we are waiting for more than a season or a celebration—we are waiting for our King. As we prepare for Christmas, let us rejoice in the beauty, strength, and joy of Jesus, our heavenly Bridegroom.
Let us rejoice, for our King is coming!