Valentine's Psalm

I try to read a psalm each morning. I started on New Year's with Psalm 1 and haven't missed a day. This morning I hit Psalm 45 reasonably enough since it's the 45th day of the year. I'd never noted the header "a love song" that the ESV uses (it's "a wedding song" in NIV). It also had never occurred to me that Valentine's day is the 45th day of the year. I find the two a pleasant combination. I also think the Sons of Korah rock. They're probably among my five or so favorite psalmists.

Psalm 45

Your Throne, O God, Is Forever

To the choirmaster: according to Lilies. A Maskil^[a] of the Sons of Korah; a love song.

1My heart overflows with a pleasing theme;
I address my verses to the king;
my tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe.

2You are the most handsome of the sons of men;
grace is poured upon your lips;
therefore God has blessed you forever.
3Gird your sword on your thigh, O mighty one,
in your splendor and majesty!

4In your majesty ride out victoriously
for the cause of truth and meekness and righteousness;
let your right hand teach you awesome deeds!
5Your arrows are sharp
in the heart of the king's enemies;
the peoples fall under you.

6Your throne, O God, is forever and ever.
The scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of uprightness;
7you have loved righteousness and hated wickedness.
Therefore God, your God, has anointed you
with the oil of gladness beyond your companions;
8your robes are all fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia.
From ivory palaces stringed instruments make you glad;
9daughters of kings are among your ladies of honor;
at your right hand stands the queen in gold of Ophir.

10Hear, O daughter, and consider, and incline your ear:
forget your people and your father's house,
11and the king will desire your beauty.
Since he is your lord, bow to him.
12The people^[b] of Tyre will seek your favor with gifts,
the richest of the people.^[c]

13All glorious is the princess in her chamber, with robes interwoven with gold.
14In many-colored robes she is led to the king,
with her virgin companions following behind her.
15With joy and gladness they are led along
as they enter the palace of the king.

16In place of your fathers shall be your sons;
you will make them princes in all the earth.
17I will cause your name to be remembered in all generations;
therefore nations will praise you forever and ever.

Footnotes:

1. Psalm 45:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term
2. Psalm 45:12 Hebrew daughter
3. Psalm 45:12 Or The daughter of Tyre is here with gifts, the richest of people seek your favor

Just because, here it is in The Message, a paraphrase by Eugene Peterson:

Psalm 45

A Wedding Song of the Sons of Korah

1 My heart bursts its banks, spilling beauty and goodness.
I pour it out in a poem to the king,
shaping the river into words:

2-4 "You're the handsomest of men;
every word from your lips is sheer grace,
and God has blessed you, blessed you so much.
Strap your sword to your side, warrior!
Accept praise! Accept due honor!
Ride majestically! Ride triumphantly!
Ride on the side of truth!
Ride for the righteous meek!

4-5 "Your instructions are glow-in-the-dark;
you shoot sharp arrows
Into enemy hearts; the king's
foes lie down in the dust, beaten.

6-7 "Your throne is God's throne,
ever and always;
The scepter of your royal rule
measures right living.
You love the right
and hate the wrong.
And that is why God, your very own God,
poured fragrant oil on your head,
Marking you out as king
from among your dear companions.

8-9 "Your ozone-drenched garments
are fragrant with mountain breeze.
Chamber music—from the throne room—
makes you want to dance.
Kings' daughters are maids in your court,
the Bride glittering with golden jewelry.

10-12 "Now listen, daughter, don't miss a word:
forget your country, put your home behind you.
Be here—the king is wild for you.
Since he's your lord, adore him.
Wedding gifts pour in from Tyre;
rich guests shower you with presents."

13-15 (Her wedding dress is dazzling,
lined with gold by the weavers;
All her dresses and robes
are woven with gold.
She is led to the king,
followed by her virgin companions.
A procession of joy and laughter!
a grand entrance to the king's palace!)

16-17 "Set your mind now on sons—
don't dote on father and grandfather.
You'll set your sons up as princes
all over the earth.
I'll make you famous for generations;
you'll be the talk of the town
for a long, long time."