It’s amazing how a portion of Scripture can capture the imagination . . . how something written so long ago can have such a present impact by bringing into focus a future reality. That’s Psalm 45.

You know that Psalm 45 is about Messiah, about Jesus. If there’s any doubt it’s dispelled when you get to verses 6 and 7, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom. You love righteousness and hate wickedness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness more than Your companions.” Hebrews 1 says that this refers to the Son. So the theme of this Psalm is my Lord.

And verse 1 says it is a “pleasing theme” (ESV) or a “noble theme” (NIV) and the psalmist’s heart is “overflowing” with this theme. To read of Jesus, to think of Messiah, stirs the inner man in a way that nothing else does. Just reading the first 9 verses evokes a sense of awe and adoration.

He is fairer than the sons of men . . . grace is poured upon His lips . . . He is the Mighty One with glory and majesty . . . His throne is forever . . . He is King of righteousness . . . anointed of God . . . His garments emit a sweet sweet smell from His ivory palaces. If the Psalm were to stop here it is enough to drive me facedown in worship. But it doesn’t stop there!!! In fact, it brings me into the picture . . .

The focus shifts in verse 10 from the King to His bride. She is called to forget her people and her father’s house for then “the King will desire your beauty.” (v.10-11) The NIV says, “The King is enthralled by your beauty.” Let that sink in!!!

If this Psalm is about Messiah the King, aka my Jesus (and it is) . . . and if it talks about His bride (and it does) . . . then the connection needs to be made to the church. And if it’s painting a picture of the church then I’m kind of in the picture too . . . and the King greatly desires my beauty. Really, Jesus? My beauty? But I know it’s not “my beauty” but how beautiful I am in Him. I know that any beauty I possess is solely because of the grace of God and who I am in Christ. Nothing of this man . . . all of His Savior . . . an ugly duckling made a beautiful, desired bride by the King Himself, Who loved me and gave Himself for me.

So the King greatly desires her beauty . . . and she shall be brought to the King in robes of many colors . . . with gladness and rejoicing they shall be brought; they shall enter the King’s palace. (v.14-15) O’ what a pleasing theme! What a noble theme! What a glorious theme!

“The bride eyes not her garment . . . but her dear Bridegroom’s face . . . I will not gaze at glory, but on my King of grace . . . Not at the crown He giveth . . . but on His pierced hand . . . the Lamb is all the glory . . . of Immanuel’s land.” (Immanuel’s Land, Anne R. Cousin, 1876)

And so, I respond to the Psalmist’s call . . . “Since He is your lord, bow to him” (v.11b) . . . worship Him . . . Jesus, You are my pleasing theme this morning . . . You set my heart to overflowing . . . thank You for redeeming this lost soul and making Him part of Your beautiful Bride . . . I enter into Your palace by faith this morning clothed in garments of righteousness purchased by Your blood . . . and soon, faith will give way to sight and with gladness and rejoicing we will enter the King’s palace for eternity.

“Therefore nations will praise You forever and ever.” (v.17) A pleasing theme indeed . . . Amen!!