Good morning. I pray this day finds you in good health, both physically and emotionally. We begin our reading today in Psalms 44-48, but our focus will center on Psalm 45:1.
Much of my understanding of this particular Psalm comes from studying the King James Version (KJV), but for consistency, we will continue our devotional using the New International Version (NIV):
For the director of music. To the tune of “Lilies.” Of the Sons of Korah. A maskil. A wedding song.
My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer. (Ps. 45:1 NIV)
From the heading, we confirm this is indeed a song intended to be performed. It was to be played “to the tune of ‘Lilies’” (Hebrew: Shoshannim), a popular melody of the day. This tune can also denote a song of purity, perhaps one that lilts gently, flowing like a field of flowers on a mild spring day as the breeze passes over them. If I close my eyes and imagine this, I can almost smell the sweetness of their fragrance.
The Author
We’ve now moved past the Psalms of David and are looking at a song from the Sons of Korah. Recall from Numbers 16 how Korah led a rebellion against Moses and Aaron, resulting in the earth swallowing them whole and fire consuming two hundred and fifty of their followers. Yet, a crucial detail follows: “The sons of Korah, however, did not die” (Num 26:11). Instead, they became prominent Levites in the service of temple worship.
We also see that this is a maskil, which, as we’ve discussed, means a song of instruction. But it’s also designated as a “wedding song.” The profound lesson this Psalm teaches is that we, the Church, are the bride of Christ, anticipating a future royal wedding. (John 3:29) Therefore, this is a Messianic Psalm.
A Heart Boiling Over
The original Hebrew word used in verse one for “stirred” or “boiling over” (רָחַשׁ, rachash) derives from the root of a pot or cauldron. The psalmist is depicting a heart so full, so impassioned by this “noble theme,” that it cannot contain itself; it is boiling over with emotion and inspiration.
This imagery captures the fervor of the love Christ has for His bride, the Church—a love so immense that He died for her (Eph 5:25). We should possess this same passionate love for Him. Just as a bride waits with nervous anticipation to give herself to her husband on their wedding night, we should have that same eagerness to submit ourselves to our Lord.
Like water in a pot reaching a boil, our hearts become more volatile, the temperature rising toward the point of transformation, ready to become consumed by Him. This is the noble theme: the glorious wedding of Christ to His Church.
My Duty as a Writer
This next line strikes me deeply: “as I recite my verses for the king” (or, as some translations render it, “something touching the King”). The psalmist asserts the value of his words as an offering to God.
Before I preach, before I study to write a devotional, before my fingers move on the keyboard, I pray God will guide me. My constant prayer is that everything I share, whether spoken or written, originates from Him alone. I ask Him, “If there is anything that is from me, not You, please remove it.” Everything I share is from Him and for Him. To Him alone should go all the glory.
One of the most inspiring things I experience in the service of the Lord is when He edits what I have written immediately. He adds and removes words, which I then research and find to be wisdom I didn’t possess. His words embolden me, giving me the courage to address you.
The Skillful Writer
I therefore avoid taking credit for shared material. People will come to me after a sermon and say, “That was a good word from you today.” While I appreciate the sentiment and need all the encouragement I can get, I will not take the credit. My simple response is always, “Thank you, it is what the Lord gave me.”
I do not hear the Lord speak audibly. Rather, He works through those who submit themselves to Him. The words that come from my pen or my lips are His. If they were mine, they would not be worth the ink they consume. The tree that gave its pulp to make the paper would have done so in vain if the words were my own.
God desires all of us to know Him (2 Pet 3:9). He will use anyone who submits to His will to reach others. If you hear a person preach or read a book or devotional and have the thought that you wish you could replicate that, you can. None of us are special, but He is. We must learn to get out of His way and make ourselves a vessel for Him to flow through.
Do you have a passion boiling inside you? Are you ready to submit to the Bridegroom?
Tomorrow, we will read Psalms 49-54.
Notes
The Holy Bible, New International Version. 2011. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan. All biblical citations refer to this version unless otherwise noted.
Charles H. Spurgeon, The Treasury of David (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1968).
Charles J. Ellicott, Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1959).