king of kings

A Sheep’s Journey Through Psalms -45

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Embracing the Royal Wedding: A Devotion on Psalm 45

Dear friend, imagine stepping into a grand celebration, where the air is filled with joy, music, and the promise of eternal love. That’s the heart of Psalm 45—a beautiful wedding song penned for a king’s marriage, yet overflowing with deeper truths that point us straight to Jesus Christ, our glorious King, and His bride, the Church. As we journey through this psalm together, let’s allow its words to warm our souls and inspire us to live in the light of His unending love. This isn’t just ancient poetry; it’s a divine invitation to see ourselves as cherished and transformed by the King of Kings.

The psalm opens with the poet’s heart bubbling over with excitement: “My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a ready writer” (Psalm 45:1, NIV). What a wonderful picture of inspiration! The focus quickly turns to the king, described in verses 2-9 as the most excellent of men, graced with lips full of kindness, riding forth in majesty to defend truth, humility, and justice. He’s a warrior for righteousness, his throne enduring forever. But here’s where it gets truly awe-inspiring: modern Christian thinkers remind us that this isn’t merely about an earthly ruler. As John Piper insightfully points out, Psalm 45:6-7 addresses the king as “God,” declaring, “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom. You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of joy.” Piper emphasizes how this Old Testament passage demands the deity of Christ, as seen in Hebrews 1:8-9, where it’s applied directly to Jesus, the eternal Son superior even to angels. What encouragement—this King isn’t distant; He’s divine, and He’s fighting for us!

Shifting to the bride in verses 10-17, the psalm urges her to forget her past, honor her king, and enter the palace adorned in gold, surrounded by joy and honor. This imagery beautifully foreshadows the Church—you and me—as Christ’s beloved bride. One commentary from the Center for Excellence in Preaching highlights the romantic dimension of God’s love here: We’re not just redeemed; we’re desired and delighted in by our King, much like the wedding feast of the Lamb in Revelation 19. Tim Keller captures this grace so warmly in his teachings on marriage and faith: Jesus “doesn’t love us because we are lovely but in order to make us so, by grace.” Isn’t that comforting? No matter our flaws or past mistakes, His love transforms us, clothing us in righteousness and making us radiant for eternity.

Drawing from contemporary reflections, like those in Inspired Scripture, Psalm 45 reveals seven precious gifts Jesus offers His followers: His boundless love that draws us close, abundant grace poured out through His words, a reign of perfect justice, redemption that makes us new, intimate fellowship where He craves our presence, honor that lifts us up in humility, and eternal joy that fills our hearts even now through the Holy Spirit. Franciscan Media adds a modern touch, noting how the psalm exalts beauty—both inner and outer—as a reflection of God’s splendor, encouraging us to embrace our worth as beloved daughters and sons of the King. And for those in leadership roles, whether at work, home, or church, the Theology of Work project draws from verse 4 to inspire us: Ride forth in majesty, defending truth, humility, and justice, always seeking the good of others in God’s strength.

Beloved, let this psalm stir your heart today. You’re part of this royal story—not as a bystander, but as the cherished bride invited to the feast. Lean into Jesus’ love, let His grace make you lovely, and step out in joy to reflect His kingdom. As you go about your day, remember: Your King delights in you!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the beauty of Psalm 45, revealing Jesus as our majestic King. Help us to respond with wholehearted love, embracing Your grace that transforms us. May we live as Your honored bride, defending truth and justice with humble hearts. Fill us with eternal joy, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Thoughts on the Little Drummer Boy

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No, he isn’t in the Biblical story. Aaron did not travel with the Magi and was not present at the birth of Jesus. Yet, the way the song is written, he could have been. Originally titled “Carol of the Drum”, the song is about a young boy summoned by the Magi to go with them to present gifts to the newborn King. Upon arriving, the boy realizes he has no gift that is fit to give a king, much less the King of Kings. All he has is his ability to play the drum, so he asks if he can play it for him. As Mary nods permission, he plays his best for the baby Jesus ans is rewarded with a smile from the Lord.

While fiction, the song gives a powerful message. Jesus is the King and is worthy of being honored by us. All that we have to give Him we should surrender to Him. Even our crowns in heaven will be laid back at His feet for He alone is worthy. It isn’t just material things, like gold, frankincense or myrrh, that we can give but also our God-given abilities. All that we give Him should reflect our best effort, like the drummer boy’s song. And a smile from Him, a show of approval, well … that is definitely reward enough. “Well done, good and faithful servant, well done.”

Oh, and in the tv show where the lamb is healed, why not? So watch it with joy, sing along heartily, include it in a cantata. Let the message of giving God our best because He alone is worthy of being praised.

Thinking of Christ’s Return

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While I was sitting in church this past Sunday, listening to the choir sing Days of Elijah, my mind starting fixating on the words of the chorus:

Behold He comes! Riding on the clouds!
Shining like the sun! At the trumpet call
Lift your voice! It’s the year of Jubilee!
And out of Zion’s hill salvation comes!

My mind was swept away thinking about the greatness of our King’s return. He will come for His own, coming back through the clouds as He went away, riding on His great white horse followed by the armies of heaven. What a magnificent scene this will be. He will blaze with glory, outshining the sun in His brilliance because He is light and in Him is no darkness at all. The trumpet blast will herald the return of the King of kings and for those who are His it will be a time of jubilee, a time of salvation, a cause to shout and praise. For others, though, it will be a time of despair, as He comes to execute judgment on those who do not believe, who have not bowed to Him as their Lord.

Charles Wesley captured this in his great hymn Lo, He Comes With Clouds Descending which I reprint below:

Lo, He comes with clouds descending, Once for favored sinners slain

Thousand, thousand saints attending,  Swell the triumph of His train

Alleluia, alleluia, God appears on Earth to reign

 

Every eye shall now behold Him, Robed in dreadful majesty

Those who set at naught and sold Him, Pierced and nailed Him to the tree

Deeply wailing, deeply wailing, shall the true Messiah see

 

Now the Savior long expected, See in solemn pomp appear

All His saints by man rejected, Now shall meet Him in the air

Alleluia, alleluia, See the day of God appear

 

Yes, Amen! Let all adore Thee, High on Thine eternal throne

Savior take the power and glory, Claim the kingdom for Thine own

O come quickly, O come quickly, Everlasting God come down

Are you ready for the coming of Jesus Christ? No man knows the hour or the day when He will appear in all His glory. Today is the day of salvation, tomorrow might be the day of judgment.