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Psalm 45

Ode for a Royal Wedding

To the leader: according to Lilies. Of the Korahites. A Maskil. A love song.
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 for ever.
³ Gird your sword on your thigh, O mighty one,
   in your glory and majesty.

⁴ In your majesty ride on victoriously
   for the cause of truth and to defend^* 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 throne, O God,^* endures for ever and ever.
   Your royal sceptre is a sceptre 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 honour;
   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^* of Tyre will seek your favour with gifts,
   the richest of the people ¹³with all kinds of wealth.

The princess is decked in her chamber with gold-woven robes;^*
14   in many-coloured robes she is led to the king;
   behind her the virgins, her companions, follow.
¹⁵ With joy and gladness they are led along
   as they enter the palace of the king.

¹⁶ In the place of ancestors you, O king,^* shall have 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.