The King takes His bride

Scripture: Psalm 45:12-14

Sermon notes

The Loveliness of Christ: The King takes His bride 

The moment of the royal marriage has arrived. The eagerly expected and prepared for event has come. The Father’s words of counsel v10-11 have dictated the course of preparation for this moment.

The King has arrived to claim His bride. Cp Rev 19:6-8. In v14 the climactic moment of her presentation to Him is described. There is an exhilaration and thrill that enters the heart of the Christian at the contemplation of what that moment will be like. What a day that will be!

I  THE HOMAGE PAID TO THE BRIDE.

The Bride is still being addressed here—thy… = thy…v11.

1. The daughter of Tyre brings a gift, v12. It is the custom to give gifts at a wedding. In the case of a royal wedding those gifts have an added political significance. In Solomon’s time Tyre was in subordination to Israel and supplied many of the raw materials and even expertise for the building of the Temple, etc. Cp 2 Sam 5:11, 1 Kings 5:1, 9:11. At the time of the prophetic focus of these words, Tyre will again be in subjection to Israel’s King and His Bride. Immediately previous to this however, Tyre will have been a primary seat of rebellion against the heavenly Bridgroom. Cp Ezek 28:11-12, 1-2. Here is a simple statement that implies so much—the subjugation of the enemies of God by Christ and His people. Cp 72:8-11, Is 60:3-7, 11, Heb 10:13-14, Rev 21:23-27.
2. The rich among the people. Throughout her history the Church of Christ has been largely associated with poverty and seen in stark contrast to the rich of the earth. Ordinarily, wealth is power. Yet here the rich are courting the favour of the King’s Bride. Such is her new position that these men recognize the need to have her blessing. She is raised to a position that is more precious than anything wealth can secure!
3. Seeking for the favour of the queen. The redeemed Bride of the Lamb will rule with Him. Cp Luke 19:17, 19, 2 Tim 4:8. The rule of the saints on earth begins with this ‘wedding’. The great men of the world—such as are spared from the wrath of God in that day, Zech 14:16—humble themselves to her royal desires. There is little of this spirit abroad today. It is foreign to the natural heart of man unless introduced there by saving grace.

II  THE BEAUTY AND GLORY OF THE BRIDE.

1. Her royal birth. She is described here as the King’s daughter. There is always a serious limitation involved in using human pictures/relationships to depict the position of the redeemed in Christ. In this statement we have a parallel to the words of SoS 4:9, 10, 12, 5:1. The people of God may be seen as both the bride of Christ and His ‘sister’ – the children of God the Father, the brethren of Christ, joint-heirs with Him. She is born of the King! Christ is anointed Messianic King by His Father who ultimately rules over all things. Christ’s kingdom is seen to be within the economy of redemption. Cp Matt 22:2, 11, 1 Cor 15:23-28.
2. All glorious within, v13. This is a profound statement. There is a view of what the Bride is on the inside! Note that primary attention is given to this. The glory of this scene belongs to King Jesus. Yet what He is is reflected on the inside by His people. How completely like Him we shall be. It is not merely an external likeness. There is a completeness to the glory that is on the inside—all glorious. She is altogether glorious. It is ever what is on the inside that really counts, Matt 23:25. Those who will be all glorious within on that day demonstrate something of that now. Cp Eph 3:17.
3. Clothing of wrought gold, v13. She is glorious on the outside as well! Great work (wrought) has gone in to the production of her clothing. Gold often appears in Scripture as representative of God and His work—e.g. Tabernacle, Temple furniture. This external glory is evidence that she is the King’s daughter and the Bride of the King’s Son.
4. Her chastity and purity, v14. Here again there is an emphasis on a moral state that is reflected in clothing. Cp 2 Cor 11:2, 2 Sam 13:18. Another view of her clothing is given in Rev 19:8—the imputed righteousness of Christ, produced in the earth. This is the secret to her appearing in the glory of God in that day. It is unquestionably the case for God’s people that they should dress to reflect what they are spiritually. These moral qualities are also seen in her companions, v14. These companions are also a testimony to what she is. She surrounds herself with those who have an interest in advancing her union with the King.