Scripture: Psalm 45:9-11
Sermon notes
The loveliness of Christ appears in this section of the Psalm in connection with His bride. The scene is a royal wedding.
The gospel frequently employs the illustration of a marriage to set forth various aspects of the relationship between Christ and His people. Cp Matt 22:1-14, 25:1-13. In gospel terms, the Bride is composed of all the redeemed who are united to Christ by eternal covenant. The great wedding day will occur as Christ the King appears. His coronation as King and His marriage occur simultaneously at His return. At this time, the Bride is His betrothed.
A marriage concentrates our minds on the views of the other that each party to the marriage holds. Clearly there is a mutual love and admiration. The passage is going to highlight certain aspects of the relationship of Christ to His people that magnify His beauty/loveliness.
The loveliness of Christ appears here:
- in the Bride’s view of Him;
- in the fact that given what He is, He has chosen her to be His bride;
- in the beauty of the Bride inasmuch as this is His beauty imputed to her. He has made His people what they are. He has worked in us what is appealing and delightful to Him.
Here is another aspect of the heart-warming loveliness of the Saviour.
I THE EXALTED AND PRIVILEGED PLACE OF HIS BRIDE.
Our attention is drawn to the privileged position of the King’s bride.
A comparison made, v9. Reference is made to King’s daughters and honourable women. There are those here of high birth and who have served the king with distinction in some way or other. Yet far above them is the one described as the queen. Far beyond any status conferred by noble birth; far beyond every other honourable distinction that may be gained in the administration of the King’s realm; is the position of the queen in view here. The language used here simply insists on the gospel truth that there is no greater privilege than to be part of the King’s bride. The chief privilege of a Spurgeon is not that he became known as the ‘prince of preachers’ and was mightily used by God, but that he is part of the Bride.
Upon thy right hand, v9. She is at the side of the God-man Messiah as He comes to reign! Cp Matt 25:34. This is the place of privilege, blessing, favour and power. It is the place occupied by the Lamb’s Bride.
In gold of Ophir, v9. These words simply indicate the very finest and most precious adornments. Cp v13.
All this exaltation and glory is secured for us by the grace of God through Christ. Cp Eph 2:4-7. How lovely the Saviour is when we consider what He has raised us to.
II A FATHER’S WORD FOR THE BRIDE.
Cp v10-11.
Even to this day the marriage of a woman involves special feelings in terms of her relationship with her father. Here is a word that gets to the very heart of gospel preparation for the King’s coronation/wedding day. It is a message that stimulates certain feelings for her Beloved and indeed sets the course in which her love for Him is to run.
The attention demanded. The Father of the Bride speaks here, demanding He be heard.
- hearken—hear and obey. He speaks with the voice of authority and outlines her duty.
- Consider—see. This is something that is to be recognized, grasped and understood.
- Incline thine ear—to bend, stretch out. There is to be inclination towards the words of God, a bowing under them.
Forgetfulness is required. It is an important aspect of preparation for the wedding day that certain things be set aside and forgotten. The language employed here is the equivalent of the Saviour’s words in Luke 9:23, 14:26.
- Thine own people. The influences of our natural ‘people’ which surround us have to be put off to be in a fit state to meet the King and be joined with Him in that day.
- Thy father’s house. The influences of our natural birth and our first ‘father’ must be left off. Note the double reference here to a father relationship—old and new!
Reasons to do so, v11.
- It is the beauty that the King desires. This is what appeals to the heart of the Saviour. To break off self, sin and the world to devote ourselves to Christ, is what He loves. We must know what pleases Him and seek to live in that way.
- It is the essence of adoration and worship, v11. To recognize Christ as Lord and worship Him accordingly will mean forgetting these things. True worship sets aside the influences of the world and the flesh and is in the Spirit. The beauty of Christ will energize this desire to serve Him.
Here is how we are to prepare for the return of the King and the marriage supper of the Lamb.