Psalm 45 is apparently written to celebrate a royal wedding. It starts with a panegyric to the king, then introduces the bride and exhorts her to renounce her family and country of origin. RSV translates the word "Shoshannim" as Lilies, which would apparently refer to a melody, but some think it actually refers to a musical instrument. In any event, nobody has any idea what this has to do with the sons of Korah, although it seems to me the most likely explanation is that they are a guild of musicians, or perhaps even a specific band -- the New Christie Minstrels of the day.
Notably, there is no theological content, and the only mention of God is that he has anointed and blessed the king. This is a purely secular composition, so of course Christian apologists have tried to squeeze some sort of theological meaning out of it. They resort to the same strategy they use for the Song of Songs, that it's a messianic prophecy and somehow Jesus is both the future king and "bridegroom of the church," whatever that means. Obviously this is bullshit, some king of Judah got married to a princess from Tyre and somebody wrote this song about it. Of course the last verse is an epic fail: "I will cause your name to be celebrated in all generations; therefore the peoples will praise you for ever and ever." Nobody knows who this is supposed to be about.
To the choirmaster: according to Lilies. A Maskil of the Sons of Korah; a love song.
45 My heart overflows with a goodly theme;
I address my verses to the king;
my tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe.2 You are the fairest of the sons of men;
grace is poured upon your lips;
therefore God has blessed you for ever.
3 Gird your sword upon your thigh, O mighty one,
in your glory and majesty!4 In your majesty ride forth victoriously
for the cause of truth and to defend[a] the right;
let your right hand teach you dread deeds!
5 Your arrows are sharp
in the heart of the king’s enemies;
the peoples fall under you.6 Your divine throne[b] endures for ever and ever.
Your royal scepter is a scepter of equity;
7 you love righteousness and hate wickedness.
Therefore God, your God, has anointed you
with the oil of gladness above your fellows;
8 your robes are all fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia.
From ivory palaces stringed instruments make you glad;
9 daughters of kings are among your ladies of honor;
at your right hand stands the queen in gold of Ophir.10 Hear, O daughter, consider, and incline your ear;
forget your people and your father’s house;
11 and the king will desire your beauty.
Since he is your lord, bow to him;
12 the people[c] of Tyre will sue your favor with gifts,
the richest of the people 13 with all kinds of wealth.The princess is decked in her chamber with gold-woven robes;[d]
14 in many-colored robes she is led to the king,
with her virgin companions, her escort,[e] in her train.
15 With joy and gladness they are led along
as they enter the palace of the king.16 Instead of your fathers shall be your sons;
you will make them princes in all the earth.
17 I will cause your name to be celebrated in all generations;
therefore the peoples will praise you for ever and ever.Footnotes
- Psalm 45:4 Cn: Heb and the meekness of
- Psalm 45:6 Or Your throne is a throne of God, or Thy throne, O God
- Psalm 45:12 Heb daughter
- Psalm 45:13 Or people. All glorious is the princess within, gold embroidery is her clothing
- Psalm 45:14 Heb those brought to you
No comments:
Post a Comment