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1 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 most handsome of men; grace is poured upon your lips; therefore God has blessed you forever. 6 Your throne, O God, endures forever 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 beyond your companions; 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. (Psalm 45:1-2, 6-9 NIV Bible)
What I suspect is that most of us who live in this country of the United States of America, may find oursleves at a disadvantage when we enter the Kingdom where Jesus is King. We have endured the every-four-year spectacle of "Elect me and I'll set you free" election of a president. And we may disagree about how it has all gone, but that day in King Jesus' home will help us forget all that happened down here. If we do remember it will be with love to God for allowing us to have been allowed to live where we did, and may the rewards handed out that day be for those generous and outrageous acts of loving people, all people. Those of us who didn't help a single soul, well, we'll be looking for the air conditioning persons who may live in you-know-where.
The entire idea of kings and queens comes from other lands, whose people had differeing ideas about monarchies and the like, and the one idea we do have is of a spoiled nation who rejected God as king, and instead asked for the very thing God had asked them not to do; they wanted to be just like everybody else. They made the prophet Samuel very hurt, but he was not as hurt as God. And King Saul, well, he also hurt God as did most of the kings who followed him. But the glmpses, or flashes of glory we do have, are summed up here in this passage.
The psalmist is reflecting on a king’s majesty and righteousness, who may have been Solomon, and whose life's majesty and righteousness, found their ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The psalmist’s heart is stirred as he writes of the king, and his words are inspired by divine grace, setting the stage for a deeper connection between King Solomon and King Jesus.
King Solomon, known for his wisdom and splendor, was a figure of prosperity and justice. His reign was marked by peace and prosperity, and his wisdom attracted leaders from far and wide. Solomon’s throne was characterized by justice, and his kingdom was adorned with opulence and peace, reflecting the divine favor and grace upon him.
However, Solomon’s reign, while impressive, was only a shadow of the ultimate King, Jesus Christ. Psalm 45’s portrayal of the king’s eternal throne and righteousness points beyond Solomon to Christ, whose kingdom surpasses all earthly splendor. Jesus’ reign is everlasting, marked by perfect justice, righteousness, and the oil of joy. Unlike Solomon, whose kingdom was temporary and marred by human flaws, Christ’s kingdom is eternal and unblemished, embodying the ultimate fulfillment of divine promises.
Just as Solomon’s reign was a foretaste of the divine ideal, Jesus embodies the ultimate realization of God’s promises—His throne is eternal, His justice is perfect, and His grace abounds forever.
PRAYER: Loving God, We thank You for the wisdom and splendor that You granted King Solomon, and we praise You even more for the ultimate fulfillment of Your promises in Jesus Christ. We are in awe of Your Son’s eternal reign, characterized by perfect justice, righteousness, and boundless joy. As we meditate on Psalm 45, help us to understand the connection between Solomon’s reign and the majesty of Christ. Inspire us to live in a way that reflects Your grace and righteousness, and to seek Your kingdom above all else. This we pray in King Jesus' name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: This week, seek to embody the values of Christ’s eternal kingdom by acting with integrity, extending grace, and promoting justice in your interactions. Share the hope of Christ’s eternal reign with others, and let His wisdom guide your actions and decisions.
I love you and I thank God for you,
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
