Scripture reading – Psalm 45; Psalm 49
Psalm 45
Here Comes the Bride: A Prelude (45:1)
Psalm 45 is fascinating and beautiful and, in my opinion, a Messianic psalm. The central subject of the psalm is the king, whom I believe is the LORD Jesus Christ, the Messiah King.
The Groom: The Messiah King (Psalm 45:2-9)
The king was described as fair and beautiful (Psalm 45:2). He was a warrior with a sword and arrows (Psalm 45:3-5). His throne represented the perpetual reign of One who is altogether righteous and hates wickedness.
The Summons of the Messiah King’s Bride (Psalm 45:10-14)
I believe the bride described was the congregation of believers who is the bride of Christ (Ephesians 5:25-27, Revelation 19:7-8; 21:2, 9). The bride of the king must leave her father’s house and be devoted to her husband (Psalm 45:10-11). Just as believers are to separate themselves from the world and be wholly dedicated, a “living sacrifice” to the LORD (Romans 12:1-2).
Believers are to present themselves to the LORD like a bride whose “clothing is of wrought gold” (Psalm 45:13). As the bride comes to the king “in raiment of needlework” (Psalm 45:14), so the bride of Christ comes clothed in His righteousness (Philippians 3:9; Titus 3:5). [Sadly, unlike a bride clothed in Christ’s righteousness, many believers are spiritual harlots and wear the rags of their failed works of righteousness, Isaiah 64:6; Titus 3:5.]
Questions to ponder from Psalm 45:
1) What was the setting or occasion of Psalm 45?
2) How long will the Messiah King reign? (45:6)
Psalm 49 – Money Will Not Buy You Happiness
Psalm 49 reflected the ponderings of a man who faced the reality many of us avoid…his mortality. Regardless of what we amass in possessions or how rich or poor we may be, everyone will inevitably “leave their wealth to others” (Psalm 49:10).
Some, by acts of charity, and others by calling “their lands after their own names” (Psalm 49:11), go to their graves hoping their legacy will live on after they are gone. Yet, no one can escape the final reality–death (Psalm 49:12, 14).
Closing thoughts:
Though I have officiated over four decades of funerals, I have not seen a U-Haul truck or trailer following a hearse to a cemetery. A similar reality was noted by the psalmist who observed that a dead man “shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him” (49:17). The apostle Paul reminded Timothy of that same truth when he wrote, and warned:
1 Timothy 6:7-10 – “7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”
Questions to ponder from Psalm 49:
1) What is the central theme of Psalm 49?
2) To whom did the writer address Psalm 49? (Psalm 49:1-2)
3) What are the limits on men with riches and wealth? (Psalm 49:6-7)
4) What eventually becomes of a man or woman’s wealth? (Psalm 49:10)
5) What did the psalmist see as his future? (Psalm 49:15)
Copyright © 2023 – Travis D. Smith
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