Thursday, June 2, 2016

A Picture of Christ and His Church

Psalm 45:1-17

To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim, for the sons of Korah, Maschil, A Song of loves.

“My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer.” (Psalm 45:1)

The word inditing means to put something into writing, whether in prose or verse, to compose.   The author is expressing his thoughts relating to the king as something he admires.  Though he uses David’s reign as his example the passage describes the Messiah as king. 

“Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.  Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty.  And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things.  Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the king's enemies; whereby the people fall under thee.” (Psalm 45:2-5)

Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.  Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.  All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad.  Kings' daughters were among thy honourable women: upon thy right hand did stand the queen in gold of Ophir.” (Psalm 45:2-9)

Jesus Christ is the king who will rule the earth, blessed of God forever.  Hebrews 1:8-9 makes it clear that is who the passage refers to.  “But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.  Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.”   He is the mighty one who will wipe out Satan’s power and establish his kingdom in righteousness, ruling with a rod of iron.  Revelation 21:26-27 describes the level of righteousness.  “And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.  And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.”  

 Isaiah 11:1-5 gives a partial description of what his kingdom will be like.    “And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD; And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.  And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.”

The church is described as the bride of Christ several times in the New Testament.  Here she is portrayed as the queen dressed in gold standing alongside him in the place of honor at his right hand. 

“Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy father's house; So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for he is thy Lord; and worship thou him.  And the daughter of Tyre shall be there with a gift; even the rich among the people shall entreat thy favour.” (Psalm 45:10-12)

The church is God’s daughter, and needs to listen to him.  She needs to forget her own country and family traditions and focus on Christ.  When she does the proper relationship with the Lord will develop, with a free expression of love by both sides.  Even those who have opposed Christainity will turn to them as result.  Proverbs 16:7 tells us, “When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.”

“The king's daughter is all glorious within: her clothing is of wrought gold.  She shall be brought unto the king in raiment of needlework: the virgins her companions that follow her shall be brought unto thee.  With gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought: they shall enter into the king's palace.” (Psalm 45:13-15)

When the queen became the king’s bride, she was arrayed in a special garment, her wedding dress, and accompanied by her maids of honor.  Revelation 21:2-4 paints that same picture of those who believe in Christ, whether Jews or Gentiles.   “And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.  And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.  And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”  It will be a time of great rejoicing. 

“Instead of thy fathers shall be thy children, whom thou mayest make princes in all the earth.  I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations: therefore shall the people praise thee for ever and ever.” (Psalm 45:16-17)

Instead of focusing on our past, our ancestors, or our mistakes, the focus will be on the future, for eternity.  The regrets will all be removed. 


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