Contrast Of Those who Trust God and Those Who Don’t

Psalm 52:1-9

“To the chief Musician, Maschil, A Psalm of David, when Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul, and said unto him, David is come to the house of Ahimelech.

“Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God endureth continually.  Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.  Thou lovest evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah.  Thou lovest all devouring words, O thou deceitful tongue.” (Psalm 52:1-4)

Some people think they are powerful enough to ignore God.  They dream up ways of trying to thwart God’s power, and convince people to do what they want because getting their way is more important to them than pleasing God and take pleasure in deceiving and lying to the people.   As an example of what he is describing, we need look no further than modern politicians, many of whom take pride in being able to manipulate and control people by lying to them.  They convince people they are trying to help the while taking actions that will ultimately destroy them.   They have forgotten that God’s laws and standards are for eternity and cannot be broken. 

“God shall likewise destroy thee for ever, he shall take thee away, and pluck thee out of thy dwelling place, and root thee out of the land of the living. Selah.  The righteous also shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him: Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength; but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness.” (Psalm 52:5-7)

They have not fooled God, and he will destroy them just as completely as they have destroyed others, taking their land from them causing their deaths, almost like a person digging out a tree by it’s roots to be sure it will not grow again.  The people who do right will see their judgment and fear to copy their example, laughing at their overconfidence and reminding people that this is the end result of depending on one’s wealth and deceitfulness rather than on God. 

“But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever.  I will praise thee for ever, because thou hast done it: and I will wait on thy name; for it is good before thy saints.” (Psalm 52:8-9)

The person who places his trust in God will be like an olive tree in a person’s yard, depending on the land owner to see that it has all the water it needs.  As God provides the needed water, the tree’s growth is a reminder of how God has provided and the tree grows, expecting the water to be delivered when needed.  Christians should have a similar attitude, just expecting God to provide.     

Acknowledging A Sinful State

Psalm 51:1-19

To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.

“Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.  Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.  For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.  Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.” (Psalm 51:1-4)

The contents of this Psalm seem to indicate that it was probably written at the time tradition says it was, just after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba, then had her husband, Uriah, killed.  David takes full responsibility for his sin, recognizing that he had gone directly against God’s law, not just some human tradition.  He asks forgiveness, but wants there to be no question he had been guilty and he deserved whatever punishment god might choose to administer. 

“Behold, I was shapen in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.  Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.” (Psalm 51:5-6)

When caught in sin, people often attempt to imply their behavior was an aberration and not something they do on a regular basis.  David admitted that while this was the first time for committing adultery, it was a symptom of a much deeper problem.   God wants complete honesty in our hearts and minds. And for us to allow him to show what is right.  Most of us want to imply we are pretty good people, but as Romans 3:10-12 says, “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.  They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.”   While most people think they are pretty good, the truth is that no one is. 

Unless we are honest about our sinful nature, we cannot be forgiven according to I John 1:8-10.  “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”  Only when we acknowledge our sinful nature will we truly realize that we cannot do what is right and understand our need for a savior. 

“Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.  Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.  Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.  Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:7-10)

Hyssop appears to have been a member of the mint family and contains oils that made it effective for removing stains, killing bacteria and giving a clean fresh smell.  It was often used in ceremonial cleansing.  In effect, David is asking to be thoroughly cleansed, inside and out, with a whole new attitude, not just a stopping of the physical sin.  In the process, he asks that God would completely block out any remembrance of his sin.   It is what God has promised for those who believe in Jesus Christ, according to Hebrews 10:16-17.  “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.”   When he does this every conflict between us and God is removed and we are Justified or made right with him.  Romans 5:1-2 describes the results.  “{Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”

“Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.  Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.  Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.  Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.” (Psalm 51:11-14)

When the sense of guilt is removed, we can experience a close relationship with god, feeling the presence of his spirit and enjoying our Christian life.   We no longer worry about losing our salvation, even when we have gone so far as to kill another person.  Being a Christain becomes an enjoyable thing rather than a burden. 

“O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall show forth thy praise.  For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.  The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” (Psalm 51:15-17)

God wants an humble attitude that recognizes the person’s weakness and sinfulness, so that they will depend on him rather than trying to do it themselves.  He has no pleasure in our ritual efforts to please him, offering sacrifices or great accomplishments.  What pleases him is that we yield to him. 

“Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.  Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.” (Psalm 51:18-19)

When people are aware of what another does for them, they tend to show their appreciation, but when they are not conscious of it they begin to be dissatisfied.  David asks that God make them aware of his actions in Jerusalem so that they will be appreciative of what he does.  Unfortunately, it is very easy for people to overlook what God does for them. 

Warning Of God’s Judgment

Psalm 50:1-23

A Psalm of Asaph.

“The mighty God, even the LORD, hath spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof.  Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined.” (Psalm 50:1-2)

This Psalm is a prophetic warning to Israel.  It appears to have been somewhat later, perhaps in Solomon’s day or one of the later kings, after Israel began to turn away from God.  It reminds them again of God’s warnings about keeping his covenant

“Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him.  He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people.  Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.  And the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God is judge himself. Selah.” (Psalm 50:3-6)

God will not ignore their disobedience, but will judge them like a wildfire going through the land.  He will use the both the atmosphere and the soil itself to judge them.  Those who believe in him and all those who have adopted the Jewish faith, making the sacrifices will be called into Judgment for how they have served him.  and God will personally judge them,

“Hear, O my people, and I will speak; O Israel, and I will testify against thee: I am God, even thy God.  I will not reprove thee for thy sacrifices or thy burnt offerings, to have been continually before me.  I will take no bullock out of thy house, nor he goats out of thy folds.  For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills.  I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine.  If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof.  Will I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats?” (Psalm 50:7-13)

God’s judgment will not be concerned with whether they have kept all the sacrifices.  Everything on earth ultimately belongs to God, and he doesn’t need what they have.  In Acts 17:24-25 Paul explained, ”God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things.” 

Our offerings to him are to be demonstrations of our love and faith, rather than a tax to support him and keep from experiencing God’s wrath or a bribe to get his favor.  Sacrifices and offerings are not an obligation, nor does he depend on them to accomplish his work.  Hebrews 10:8 tells us “…Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law.”  God is not pleased by the things we give him but by our desire to do something for him. 

“Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High: And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.” (Psalm 50:14-15)

In I Samuel 15:22-23 Saul had disobeyed God’s command, using the excuse that they wanted to make a sacrifice to the Lord.  “And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.  For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.”  God wants our love, not our attempts to buy him off.  When we thank him for what we have and keep our promises to him, we can expect him to respond when we cry out for his help. 

God said almost the same thing In Jeremiah 7:22-23.  “For I spake not unto your fathers, nor commanded them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices: But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you.”  Unfortunately, like the Jews, many people today are focused on doing something great for God rather than simply obeying him.   

“But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth?  Seeing thou hatest instruction, and castest my words behind thee.” (Psalm 50:16-17)

The wicked refuse to quote what God has said so others can know or to follow his instructions.  They ignore his words as unimportant, irrelevant and old fashioned.  They resent being reminded what he has said. 

“When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst with him, and hast been partaker with adulterers.  Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit.  Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother; thou slanderest thine own mother's son. ” (Psalm 50:18-20)

The wicked refuse to get involved when they see people doing wrong, not trying to stop a thief, and even helping an adulterer get by with his sin, giving tacit approval.  They use their mouths to lie and deceive people, and to slander others or for verbal abuse, even against those they should love most. 

“These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes.  Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver.” (Psalm 50:21-22)

Because God does not immediately wipe out those who do evil, people get the idea they have gotton by with sin.  II Peter 3:tells us, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”  God gives people an opportunity to repent before he judges them because he cares about them.  Unfortunately some people decide it means he is unable to do anything and despise him, as Romans 2:4 states.  “Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?”  They don’t understand or appreciate the fact that the delay gives them a chance to make things right.  Their refusal to make things right further justifies their punishment. 

“Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I show the salvation of God.” (Psalm 50:23)

A person who praises God shows him honor and respect, and Hebrews 13:15 defines praise as “…the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.”  The original meaning of conversation was of one’s lifestyle rather than just his talk as it is now used.  A person who lives his life properly will be shown God’s salvation.  While the good works will not save the person, they guarantee he will be given the opportunity to be saved.

Understanding Of God Is More Important Than Earthly Accomplishment

Psalm 49:1-20

To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah.

”Hear this, all ye people; give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world: Both low and high, rich and poor, together.” (Psalm 49:1-2)

This Psalm is a warning for all of humanity.  It was intended to be sung for the general congregation. 

“My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.  I will incline mine ear to a parable: I will open my dark saying upon the harp.  Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity of my heels shall compass me about?” (Psalm 59:3-5)

The Psalmist has made a choice to think and speak about the things that matter.  He is committed to thinking things through to get a valid understanding. And in order to do so, he will listen to illustrations and compare different types of things in an effort to understand them better.   He has learned that putting things into words or songs helps one to understand them better, and so will use the contemplation and music to help his understanding.  By making such an effort, he can reduce his anxiety when things go differently than expected, and have confidence that not all the problems are the result of his own sin.

“They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him: (For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:) That he should still live for ever, and not see corruption.” (Psalm 49:6-9)

People spend their lives trying to gain wealth and power, but no matter how much they have, they cannot obtain eternal life or save themselves or their closest friend or relative from death and eternal judgment, however much they might wish to. 

“For he seeth that wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others.  Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for ever, and their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names.  Nevertheless man being in honour abideth not: he is like the beasts that perish.  This their way is their folly: yet their posterity approve their sayings. Selah.  Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling.  But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah. “ (Psalm 49:10-15)

Every person is forced to recognize that everyone dies, regardless of their  wealth or poverty, or whether they are smart or stupid, and eventually everything they have will belong to someone else.  Human nature likes to think they are immune to this and that even if they die their posterity will continue forever.  In an effort to ensure their name will be carried on they name their lands after themselves.    In spite of their efforts to earn a great reputation and power, they die just like any other animal.   No amount of respect from others will keep one alive, regardless how much they may quote his statements, and once they die, their body decays just like anybody else’s.    The believer has the assurance that one day God will redeem his body from the grave, but the nonbeliever lacks such assurance.

“Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased; For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him.  Though while he lived he blessed his soul: and men will praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself.  He shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see light.  Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish.” (Psalm 49:16-20)

We do not need to be upset when a person gets great power or wealth because it is a temporary situation.  When he dies, he leaves all his wealth and power behind.  Though he may have lived richly and people tend to give respect and admiration to those who appear wealthy, the end result is no different for him than for anyone else.  A person who does not understand what is right and good is no better off than the animals regardless how much respect or power he might have.  His only hope is to be redeemed by God. 

The City of Zion

Psalm 48:1-14

A Song and Psalm for the sons of Korah.

“Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness.” (Psalm 48:1)

David had chosen Jerusalem as his capital, Moving the Ark of the Covenant and the tabernacle there, with the intention of building a temple and dedicating the city to God.  As such God should be praised in Jerusalem far more than anywhere else. 

“Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.  God is known in her palaces for a refuge.” (Psalm 48:2-3)

The Jebusites had originally chosen the site of Jerusalem because it was an ideal place for a city, with a good source of water, plenty of farmland nearby to support the city.  The hills and mountains around it provided material for construction and the terrain would make it relatively easy to defend while giving it a natural beauty.  It would be a pleasure to visitors to come there to worship God, and the records of his miracles would impact every aspect of life there. 

“For, lo, the kings were assembled, they passed by together.  They saw it, and so they marvelled; they were troubled, and hasted away.  Fear took hold upon them there, and pain, as of a woman in travail.  Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish with an east wind.  As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the LORD of hosts, in the city of our God: God will establish it for ever. Selah.” (Psalm 48:4-8)

For nearly five hundred years, the Israelites had been unable to conquer Jerusalem.  The surrounding kings were impressed when David took it over and began to build.  They began to see Israel as a potential threat, and the Jews had begun to realize God’s power seeing him defeat the Navies of the Phoenicians, and growing their country. 

“We have thought of thy lovingkindness, O God, in the midst of thy temple.  According to thy name, O God, so is thy praise unto the ends of the earth: thy right hand is full of righteousness.  Let mount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of Judah be glad, because of thy judgments.

Walk about Zion, and go round about her: tell the towers thereof.  Mark ye well her bulwarks, consider her palaces; that ye may tell it to the generation following.  For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death. ” (Psalm 48:9-14)

When the Jews looked at Jerusalem and saw the great palaces and the temple Solomon had built, they were forced to consider how much God had blessed them.  They could walk around the city and see the fortifications to ensure their safety, and realize it was God who had made it all possible and that he would be there forever. 

Recognizing God

Psalm 47:1-8

To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah.

“O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph.  For the LORD most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth.  He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet.  He shall choose our inheritance for us, the excellency of Jacob whom he loved. Selah.” (Psalm 47:1-4)

People flock to see a political figure such as Donald Trump. Hilary Clinton, or Barak Obama, especially during presidential campaigns.   There are huge rallies and every effort to remind people of their accomplishments and emphasize their goals and proposed policies.   These human leaders break their promises as soon as they take office, claim credit for what others have done and blaming their predecessors for their failures to keep their promises, and yet people idolize them. 

David recommends giving God the same kind of adulation people give our presidential candidates.   He has not simply claimed credit for someone else’s work, but actually created the world, and won the battles.   He doesn’t lie about his intentions to get people to vote for him, but has an established history of fulfilling his promises despite the opposition.    Unlike most politicians, he has demonstrated real concern for the common people rather than just the richest and most powerful in society.  As a result, he is far more deserving of our adulation and praise than any politician, religious leader or entertainment star.  Sadly, in many churches and religious programs, more emphasis is placed on the pastor or leader than on the Lord himself. 

 

“God is gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet.” (Psalm 47:5)

When the president of the United States enters Congress or a large gathering, his entry is announced so everyone can stand and show their respect.  Prior to the development of modern loudspeakers, a trumpet was often used because it could be more readily heard. 

“Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises.  For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding.” (Psalm 47:6-7)

In Hebrews 13:10-15, we are reminded what Christ has done for us, at God’s direction, to enable us to receive the benefits of being God’s people.  “We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.   For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.  Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.  Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.  For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.  By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.”

God is our king, not our political leaders or religious leaders.  It is him that made the plan whereby we could be saved, and it is his Son who made the plan work.  We need to enroll in that plan, even though it is outside what most people seek, and we need to show our appreciation by praising God, which verse 15 says is nothing more than thanking him for what he has done. 

David says the praises are to be sung with understanding, recognizing the specific things he has done for us.  He didn’t simply forget about our sin.  He made an atonement for it, paying our penalty at his expense.   He then justified us, restoring our citizenship in his kingdom, and adopted us as his children and redeeming us from the power of sin.  Until we understand what was involved we really can’t appreciate what he has given for us.

      

“God reigneth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness.  The princes of the people are gathered together, even the people of the God of Abraham: for the shields of the earth belong unto God: he is greatly exalted.” (Psalm 47:8-9)

God is king over all the earth, not just the United States, and unlike our president, he has real power over terrorists groups like ISIS or Hamas.    He can control the leaders of Iran or North Korea and protect us from criminal illegal immigrants.  We need to turn to him and show him as much respect and admiration as we show for our presidential candidates.   

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.