For the director of music. A maskil of the Sons of Korah. A wedding song to the tune of ‘Lilies’.
1My heart is full of beautiful words as I say my poem for the king. My tongue is like the pen of a skilful writer.2You are the most excellent of men. Your lips have been given the ability to speak gracious words. God has blessed you for ever.3Mighty one, put your sword at your side. Put on glory and majesty as if they were your clothes.4In your majesty ride out with power to fight for what is true, humble and fair. Let your right hand do wonderful things.5Shoot your sharp arrows into the hearts of your enemies. Let the nations come under your control.6Your throne is the very throne of God. Your kingdom will last for ever and ever. You will rule by treating everyone fairly.7You love what is right and hate what is evil. So your God has placed you above your companions. He has filled you with joy by pouring the sacred oil on your head.8Myrrh and aloes and cassia make all your robes smell good. In palaces decorated with ivory the music played on stringed instruments makes you glad.9Daughters of kings are among the women you honour. At your right hand is the royal bride dressed in gold from Ophir.10Royal bride, listen and pay careful attention. Forget about your people and the home you came from.11Let the king be charmed by your beauty. Honour him. He is now your master.12The people of Tyre will come with gifts. Wealthy people will try to gain your favour.13In her room, the princess looks glorious. Her gown has gold threads running through it.14Dressed in beautiful clothes, she is led to the king. Her virgin companions follow her. They have been brought to be with her.15They are led in with joy and gladness. They enter the palace of the king.16Your sons will rule just as your father and grandfather did. You will make them princes through the whole land.17I will make sure that people will always remember you. The nations will praise you for ever and ever.
1To the choirmaster: according to Lilies. A Maskil[1] of the Sons of Korah; a love song. My heart overflows with a pleasing theme; I address my verses to the king; my tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe. (Ezr 7:6; Ps 42:1)2You are the most handsome of the sons of men; grace is poured upon your lips; therefore God has blessed you forever. (Isa 33:17; Isa 61:1; Lu 4:22)3Gird your sword on your thigh, O mighty one, in your splendor and majesty! (Ex 32:27; Ps 21:5; Ps 24:8; Ps 96:6; Isa 9:6; Isa 49:2; Heb 4:12; Re 1:16; Re 19:15)4In your majesty ride out victoriously for the cause of truth and meekness and righteousness; let your right hand teach you awesome deeds! (Ps 65:5; Re 16:2)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; (Ps 67:4; Ps 93:2; Ps 96:10; Ps 110:2; Heb 1:8)7you have loved righteousness and hated wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions; (1Ki 1:39; 1Ki 3:13; Ps 2:2; Ps 11:7; Ps 21:6; Isa 61:1; Ac 10:38)8your robes are all fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia. From ivory palaces stringed instruments make you glad; (Ps 150:4; Mt 2:11; Joh 19:39)9daughters of kings are among your ladies of honor; at your right hand stands the queen in gold of Ophir. (1Ki 2:19; Ne 2:6; Job 28:16)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. (Ps 95:6; Isa 54:5)12The people[2] of Tyre will seek your favor with gifts, the richest of the people.[3] (Job 11:19; Ps 22:29; Ps 68:29; Ps 72:10; Ps 96:8; Isa 49:7)13All glorious is the princess in her chamber, with robes interwoven with gold. (Re 19:7)14In many-colored robes she is led to the king, with her virgin companions following behind her. (Jud 5:30; So 1:4; Eze 16:18; Eze 26:16)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. (1Pe 2:9; Re 1:6; Re 5:10; Re 20:6)17I will cause your name to be remembered in all generations; therefore nations will praise you forever and ever. (Mal 1:11)