This is a unique Psalm, since it is a wedding song for a king and his bride, and not specifically for talking to the Lord our God.
“You are the most handsome of the sons of men; grace is poured upon your lips; therefore God has blessed you forever. Gird your sword on your thigh, O mighty one, in your splendor and majesty! In your majesty ride out victoriously for the cause of truth and meekness and righteousness; let your right hand teach you awesome deeds! Your throne, O god, is forever and ever. The scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of uprightness; you have loved righteousness and hated wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions; Hear, O daughter, and consider, and incline your ear: forget your people and your father’s house, and the king will desire your beauty. All glorious is the princess in her chamber, with robes interwoven with gold. In place of your fathers shall be your sons; you will make them princes in all the earth. (v2-4,6-7,10-11,13,16)
Some unique features of this Psalm are how the king is described – eloquent in speech, a mighty warrior, majestic, victorious, has a cause of truth/righteousness/humility, a mighty leader, great in deeds, extremely wealthy with perfumes/oils/gold/ivory, and is referred to as “god/God”.
Now, since this song was written for royal weddings, we can assume the king is called “god/God” for a couple of possible reasons.
– 1: in many eastern cultures (eg. Egypt) the kings were considered to be gods/deities, so they may actually be calling the king “God”.
– 2: in other cultures (eg. Israel) the king was appointed by God, and was considered a son of God, so calling him “god” would signify he is God’s representative here on earth.
– 3: another possibility is that this song is talking about the Son of God (Jesus) as the King, and addressing Him as “God”, but that seems pretty unlikely since this song was written before Jesus came, and was written by Korahites who rebelled against God and Moses (Num 16), so they are probably not being prophetic here.
The description of the princess fits the culture – not only is she declared to be beautiful and set apart with her ornate garments and purity, she is considered the mother of princes. Another note by the author is that she is to “forget her people and her father’s house”, “in place of her fathers shall be her sons”. This was a cultural tradition, that women would sever ties (completely in most cases) with their blood family and fully integrate into her husband’s family. This is still true in some eastern cultures today, though less common in North America (ties to one’s birth family are usually retained here).
The last feature I’ll note about this Psalm is the singer/songwriter puts themselves into the song in the first and last verses: “My heart overflows with a pleasing theme; I address my verses to the king; my tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe. I will cause your name to be remembered in all generations; therefore nations will praise you forever and ever.” (v1,17) I don’t recall Matthew West or Train becoming first-person observers in their wedding songs, so why would this author/singer? Perhaps they were a friend or “best man” to the king, or maybe some famous singer/songwriter in their time. I have no idea, to be honest, there aren’t enough clues to piece together, but it adds an odd and unique perspective to the song.
I don’t really have a takeaway from this one, in fact it is kind of off-topic as far as scripture passages go. The only note of consequence I see is the emphasis that the king is partnered with God, and God is to be glorified through the king and his bride, just as God is to be glorified through every man and every woman.
Be blessed when you remember: Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord. How abundant are the good things that the Lord has stored up for those who love and respect Him, that He bestows in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in Him. (Pro 16:20, Psa 31:19 par)
~ Conqueror in Training