The King in His Glory (2)

Opening Prayer: Psalm 45.3, 4
Gird Your sword upon Your thigh, O Mighty One,
With Your glory and Your majesty.
And in Your majesty ride prosperously because of truth, humility, and righteousness;
And Your right hand shall teach You awesome things.

Psalm 45.3, 4
(Manoah: When All Your Mercies, O My God)
Your sword gird on Your thigh, O Lord, in splendid majesty.
Ride out, resplendent in Your Word, to glorious victory.

Read Psalm 45.3-5

Preparation
1. What attribute of the king do the psalmists focus on here?

2. What happens because of this?

Meditation
Psalms 45, 46, 47, and 48 form a kind of progression in the thought of the sons of Korah. These were probably written early in their career and may have been intended to celebrate Solomon’s early reign, presenting its glory, and pointing to the eternal King and His Kingdom.

Psalm 45 perhaps marks the marriage of Solomon and his queen. It is set in the royal palace, which Solomon completed seven years before he finished the temple (cf. 1 Kgs. 7.1; 9.10). Verses 1 and 2 extol the beauty and fairness of the King, while verses 3-5 celebrate his power. Let’s keep in mind that, beyond the understanding of the sons of Korah, the Spirit of God was inspiring them to write about the eternal King, our Lord Jesus.

Note the similarities between verse 3 and Revelation 6.1, 2 and 19.11-16, in which King Jesus rides forth on His white horse, both prior to and upon His return. Jesus, greater even than Solomon (Matt. 12.42), goes forth each day to advance His rule of truth, humility and righteousness, riding on His white horse, which is perhaps symbolic of the Spirit of God (cf. Zech. 6.1-8) and the Church. His arrows – symbolic of His judgment and salvation (cf. Hab. 3.12-14) – pierce the “heart of the King’s enemies”, including you and me (Rom. 5.10), and cause them to fall under His authority and rule.

Here we glimpse the Kingdom God intends to advance through His Son and Spirit, a Kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit, and of transforming beauty and power (Rom. 14.17, 18; 1 Cor. 4.20). David prayed that God would bless his son – and his greater Son – with such a Kingdom (cf. Ps. 72). The sons of Korah lived to see it come to pass, at least, in this first phase and type under Solomon.

Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
The language used in some of the psalms never ceases to amaze me. I think it is the authority with which they pray that surprises me, the “assurance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Heb. 11.1). The boldness. It must be their faith in God that allows them to speak so confidently to Him. And He gives them permission to do so because without this faith it is impossible to please Him. (Heb. 11.6)

“Gird Your sword upon Your thigh, O Mighty One, with Your glory and Your majesty” (v. 3). This sword of His Word that is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, that will pierce so accurately as to divide soul and spirit, and joints and marrow. This Word is a discerner of our thoughts and intents of our heart (Heb. 4.12).

As He rides forth defending truth, humility, and righteousness, we gain confidence, like the psalmists had, to pray with this same authority. To request of God that He goes forth in His majesty and glory to bring this Word to “pierce the heart of the King’s enemies, including you and me, and cause us to fall under His authority and rule.”

“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4.16). Boldly. In faith. With authority and confidence. We say, “Ride prosperously, King Jesus, in Your power!”

Reflection
1. How should the power and beauty of our Lord Jesus affect the way we worship Him?

2. How do you experience the Word of God piercing your soul and transforming the thoughts and intents of your heart?

3. What is our role in “riding forth” with Jesus, conquering and to conquer?

After describing his charm and wisdom, he gives us a glimpse of both his power and his accouterments, which he used to wipe out his adversaries. Theodoret of Cyr (393-466), Commentary on the Psalm 45.4

Closing Prayer: Psalm 44.4, 5
Pray that the Lord Jesus will “ride prosperously” in and through you today, bringing truth, humility, and righteousness to everyone you encounter.

Psalm 45.4, 5
(Manoah: When All Your Mercies, O My God)
For meekness and for righteousness Your Right Hand shall prevail.
Your foes shall come to deep distress when You their souls assail.

T. M. and Susie Moore

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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter (Williston: Waxed Tablet Publications, 2006), available by clicking here.