1 My heart overflows with a pleasing theme;
2 You are the most handsome of the sons of men;
3 Gird your sword on your thigh, O mighty one,
4 In your majesty ride out victoriously
5 Your arrows are sharp
6 Your throne, O God, is forever and ever.
7you have loved righteousness and hated wickedness.
8your robes are all fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia.
9daughters of kings are among your ladies of honor;
10 Hear, O daughter, and consider, and incline your ear:
forget your people and your father's house,
11and the king will desire your beauty.
12The people of Tyre will seek your favor with gifts,
13 All glorious is the princess in her chamber, with robes interwoven with gold.
14In many-colored robes she is led to the king,
15 With joy and gladness they are led along
16 In place of your fathers shall be your sons;
you will make them princes in all the earth.
17 I will cause your name to be remembered in all generations;
therefore nations will praise you forever and ever.
This Psalm is mentioned to be written by the Sons of Korah. Korah was a member of the Levite tribe that challenged Moses and Aaron for the priesthood. God displayed His anger and discipline when he opened the earth and caused Korah and his followers to die an unnatural death sentence for their rebellion. Korah’s sins were obviously pride and rebellion, and all of Israel and the generations knew that. From passages in 1 Chronicles and in reading the psalms, we understand that the Sons of Korah were descendants of Korah that lived during the time of King David as musicians and worship leaders.
It must be very challenging to live under that shame that your forefather was a rebel, but it’s amazing to know that God uses the ordinary and elevated their shameful decision by loyally serving the king, David, and being constantly in the presence of God and making music before Him. This seems to be a song that praised the king which is David such as the most handsome of the sons of men, God’s blessings, the majesty and splendor of the king, and the established reign of the king. And here describes the beautiful marriage of the daughter of the king that is given as a bride to the king. And while it is possible that the psalm could be in direct reference to David and a marriage to his wife (unsure of which one as he married a few), it is much more accurate to see the picture of Christ the King and groom with His bride, the Church.
It certainly is a love story between a bride and a groom. The description of the king describes Jesus who is truly filled with splendor and majesty, His throne is one that reigns forever and ever, the special blessing and anointing of God, and the righteousness of His deeds. Sure, David was a great king, but here the true king, Jesus, is the true glorious one that David cannot compare to. Jesus is the Son of David, and exceeds David many times more.
Jesus’ throne is established and while the psalmist can continue to go on about the king’s kingdom, what is more precious is the bride who is described. The bride is beautiful and clothed very richly and enters the presence of the king. This is an amazing picture of the Church. We are clothed in beautiful garments, richly awarded, made pure and beautiful in the king’s sight, and there is a joyous wedding that Revelation describes. This is the great inheritance for the Body of Christ to know the assurance and the peace we have to be united with Christ. What I really like is in verse 11 where the king and groom desires and enjoys us. This truly shows how amazing is our Lord and why we worship him as Lord as we are led into his presence and joined with Him in holy union.