Jenny's Psalm Reflections: Psalm 45 v.1

Today’s verse is Psalm 45 v.1

“My heart overflows with a goodly theme; I address my verses to the King;
my tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe.”

Background:

Psalm 45 is very different to the Psalms we have been looking at. It is a love song written for a royal wedding, a very beautiful Psalm indeed, and I’d encourage you to read it right the way through, enjoying the wonderful imagery. The Psalm is addressed to two people, the king and the royal princess who is his bride. Only one verse (verse 7) is addressed to God and it connects the justice of God’s reign to the righteousness of the king’s reign. The Psalmist likens his song to the flowing pen of a trusted scribe.

It is a beautiful picture. We can almost feel ourselves there on the day. Both the bridegroom and the bride come across as strong, beautiful and heroic, and capable of producing heirs to bring security to many generations. At the time of the Psalm, goodness often equated with wealth and this is why the royal pair are described as covered in luxurious dress and jewels.

Jesus and the New Testament also use this imagery of a wedding. But this time the wedding is between God and his people. The Church is described as the bride of Christ-ready for Jesus to come again and claim as his own (Ephesians 5. 25).

Meditation

1. Find a quiet place.

Sit comfortably but alert – feet flat on the floor, back pushed hard against the back of the chair.

2. Focus as well on your breathing.

Pay attention to in-breaths and out-breaths. You may think of breathing in God’s life and peace and breathing out any tension.

3. Be aware of your body.

Let your aches and pains be there. Rest your feet on the floor; still being aware of them pressed firmly into the floor. Shrug your shoulders, ease your neck. Take time to become still.

4. Sit silently and read through the whole Psalm.

Perhaps remember your own wedding, a recent wedding you attended, or simply imagining the psalmist’s royal wedding. Centre yourself on the stillness of God. Feel a sense of joy in your heart.

5. Sit quietly and feel safe.

Sit quietly and feel safe and loved.

6. Finish with this prayer:

Loving God, I thank you that I am a part of the Church, the bride of Christ. Keep me watchful and waiting and knowing the joy of your love until I am in the marriage feast of Heaven. Amen.