ANALYSIS OF THE FORTY-FIFTH PSALM

The type of the Messiah is Solomon; of the church, especially of the Gentiles to be espoused, Pharaoh's daughter.

There are three parts in this Psalm: - I. A preface, ver. 1, 2.

II. The body of this Psalm contains two commendations: - 1. Of the bridegroom, ver. 3-9.

2. Of the bride, ver. 10-15.

III. The conclusion promissory and laudatory, ver. 16, 17.

I. In the preface the prophet commends the subject he is to treat of: - 1. Signifying that it is a good thing; good, as speaking of the Son of God, who is the chief good.

2. And good for us; for, on our union with the Church, and Christ's union with that, depends our eternal good.

That the author of this Psalm, and the subject of it, is God: the psalmist was but the pen to write, for he was full of the Holy Ghost. Therefore, his heart was inditing, and his tongue followed the dictate of his heart, and presently became the instrument of a ready writer, viz., of the Holy Spirit: "My tongue is the pen of a ready writer." Thus, having endeavoured to gain over his auditory, 1. By the commendation of the matter of which he is to treat, viz., that it is good. 2.

That it tends to a good end, viz., the honour of the King, that is, Christ, the King of the Church: he then enters on the main business, which has two particulars.

II. 1. He turns his speech to Christ, the King, and commends him for many eminent and excellent endowments: - 1. His beauty: "Thou art fairer than the children of men." 2. His elocution: "Grace is poured into thy lips." 3. For his valor: "O hero, gird thy sword upon thy thigh." 4. For his prosperity in his kingdom: "In thy majesty ride prosperously." 5. For his just administration of public affairs. "Ride on, because of truth, meekness, and righteousness." 6. For his battles and conquests: "Thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things. Thy arrows are sharp in the hearts of the king's enemies, whereby the people shall fall under thee." 7. For the stability and eternity of his power: "Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever." 8. For his justice and equity: "The scepter of thy kingdom is a right scepter. Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest iniquity." 9. For the fullness of his gifts and graces, beyond all others: "Therefore God-hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows." 10. For the splendour of his apparel and buildings. "All thy garments smell of myrrh, &c., out of the ivory palaces." There is nothing we can call good, great, or excellent; nothing praiseworthy in a prince; that may not be found in this king.

2. From the bridegroom he proceeds to the bride, which here means the universal Church; whom he sets forth: - 1. By her attendants; no mean persons: kings' daughters and honourable women.

2. By her name, title, and dignity: a queen.

3. By her place: she stood on the right hand, the place of confidence and respect.

4. By her attire and vesture: she stood in a gesture of gold of Ophir.

In the midst of this great encomium he breaks off and, by an apostrophe, turns his speech to the Church lest she should forget herself in the height of her honour; giving her this good counsel: - 1. "Hearken, O daughter!" mark what Christ saith unto thee.

2. "Consider." Look about, and see what is done for thee.

3. "Incline thine ear." Be obedient.

4. "Forget thine own people, and thy father's house." Leave all for Christ; leave thy old way, old opinions, and old companions.

5. The consequence of which will be, "The king shall greatly desire thy beauty." 6. And there is the utmost reason that thou shouldst hear, and be obedient, and conformable to his will. 1. For, "He is the Lord thy God, and thou shalt worship him." 2. This will promote thy interest: "Tyre shall be there with a gift, and the rich among the people shall entreat thy favour." This counsel and admonition being ended, he returns again to the encomium of the spouse, and commends her: - 1. For her inward virtues and endearments: "The king's daughter (that is, the Church) is all glorious within." 2. For her externals; whether doctrine, morals, offices, which are, as it were, her clothing: "It is of wrought gold." 3. For her rites and ceremonies, - they are a needlework of divers colours, in divers Churches.

4. Her maids of honour, virgins; holy and sincere souls. Believers, pure in heart, life, and doctrine, living in every particular Church. These, her companions, shall follow her: 1. These shall be brought to thee (the Church) from all nations. 2. They shall be brought with joy and gladness, and enter into the king's palace. Gladly and willingly, shall they enter her courts here below, and afterwards be received to mansions in heaven.

6. For her fruitfulness. She shall have many children, good, and great.

For the fathers, patriarchs, prophets, and priests, under the Old Law; apostles, evangelists, and their successors, under the New; that they may be made princes in all lands. Her officers are not contemptible.