THE SONG WRITER
The author is one of the descendants of Korah, of the clan of Kohath, of the tribe of Levi.[1] The members of his clan were among those who contributed to the music for the temple services. We read for example, of Heman the Kohathite …

   David also appointed Heman, Jeduthun, and the others chosen by name to give thanks to the LORD, ‘for his faithful loves endures forever.’ They used their trumpets, cymbals, and other instruments to accompany the songs of praise to God. And the sons of Jeduthun were appointed as gatekeepers. (1 Chronicles 16:41-42).

   And the Levites who were musicians—Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun, and all their sons and brothers—were dressed in fine linen robes and stood at the east side of the altar playing cymbals, harps, and lyres. They were joined by 120 priests who were playing trumpets. The trumpeters and singers performed together in unison to praise and give thanks to the LORD. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals, and other instruments, they raised their voices and praised the LORD with these words:

‘He is so good!
    His faithful love endures forever!’

   At that moment a cloud filled the Temple of the LORD. The priests could not continue their work because the glorious presence of the LORD filled the Temple of God. (2 Chronicles 5:12-14).

THE TITLE - ‘A Maskil’
Peter Craigie’s comments[2] are helpful in pointing us towards an understanding of this term.

    The precise sense of the term is not known with certainty. The use of the same root [Psalm 32:8] with the sense ‘teach, instruct,’ suggests that the term could mean  ‘didactic psalm,’ but while such a sense would be appropriate for this psalm and Psalm 78:1, it is not entirely appropriate for the other eleven psalm titles in which it is used … Other possible senses include: (a) ‘a meditation’; (b) ‘a psalm of understanding’; (c) ‘a skilful psalm.’ All these senses are entirely appropriate to the form of the word, namely a participial formation …

   The principal source of uncertainty concerns whether the term refers to the psalm as such or to the musical accompaniment. Gertner[3] claims that the word contains two notions, (a) that of insight and analytical understanding, and (b) that of harmony and synthesis. The double notion finds integration in that the interpretation and exegesis of the text emerges from the musical performance of the text. This proposal is possible but by no means certain.

BY WAY OF INTRODUCTION (vs. 1)
 

My heart overflows with a beautiful thought!

 I will recite a lovely poem to the king,

for my tongue is like the pen of a skillful poet. (vs. 1)

The literary form is that of a poem composed for the wedding of a king and his bride. It was first presented orally and later written. This is why its composer likens his tongue, that main instrument of speech, to that of the pen of a writer.

A PORTRAIT OF THE ROYAL GROOM (vs. 2-8)

Some think that the writer had David in mind as the words rolled off his lips. Others think the reference is to Solomon. But is there another to be found in his description? Cooper[4] tells us of Jewish scholars who see the Messiah in this poem.

   An outstanding Hebrew scholar Aben-Ezra commenting on this Psalm says, ‘This Psalm treats of David, or rather of his son Messiah, for that is his name.’

   One of the early Targums has this paraphrase of verse two: ‘Thy beauty, O King Messiah, is greater than that of the sons of men.’

 Spurgeon[5] has no doubt in his mind that the primary reference is to Christ. He writes …
 

   Well focused spiritual eyes see here Jesus only, or if Solomon be present at all, it must be like those hazy shadows of passers-by which cross the face of the camera, and therefore are only dimly traceable upon a photographic landscape. ‘The King,’ the God whose throne is for ever and ever, is no mere mortal and his everlasting dominion is not bounded by Lebanon and Egypt’s river. This is no wedding song of earthly nuptials, but an Epithalamium[6] for the Heavenly Bridegroom and his elect spouse.
 

Several features of Christ emerge in this portrait the poet sketches of his king. In this wedding song we see him to be …

INCOMPARABLE AS A PERSON  

You are the most handsome of all.
Gracious words stream from your lips.
God himself has blessed you forever. (vs. 2)

In His Appearance

Our psalmist describes him as being ‘the most handsome of all.’ (vs. 2a). But it is difficult, if not impossible, to find words adequate enough to describe his appearance. Handsome, good looking, attractive, stunning, impressive, dazzling, glorious. They all seem so inadequate. John tried to describe what he saw of him in these words …

   It was the Lord’s Day, and I was worshipping him in the Spirit. Suddenly, I heard a loud voice behind me, a voice that sounded like a trumpet blast. It said, “Write down what you see, and send it to the seven churches: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.”

   When I turned to see who was speaking to me, I saw seven gold lamp stands. And standing in the middle of the lamp stands was the Son of Man. He was wearing a long robe with a gold sash across his chest. His head and his hair were white like wool, as white as snow. And his eyes were bright as bronze refined in a furnace, and his voice thundered like mighty ocean waves. He held seven stars in his right hand, and a sharp two-edged sword came from his mouth. And his face was as bright as the sun in all its brilliance. (Revelation 1:10-16)
 

Daniel also found it difficult to find words adequate enough to describe the vision he was given of the Lord.
 

   On April 23, as I was standing beside the great Tigris river, I looked up and saw a man dressed in linen clothing, with a belt of pure gold around his waist. His body looked like a dazzling gem. From his face came flashes like lightning, and his eyes were like flaming torches. His arms and feet shone like polished bronze, and his voice was like the roaring of a vast multitude.

   I, Daniel, am the only one who saw this vision. The men with me saw nothing, but they were suddenly terrified and ran away to hide. So I was left there all alone to watch this amazing vision. My strength left me, my face grew deathly pale, an I felt very weak. When I heard him speak, I fainted and lay there with my face to the ground. (Daniel 10:4-9)

Isaiah writes of him in giving us this assurance of his coming …

   Your eyes will see the king in all his splendor, and you will see a land that stretches into the distance. (Isaiah 33:17)

In The Quality Of His Life

His character was flawless. The author of Hebrews says of him …

   This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he has faced all of the same  temptations we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it. (Hebrews 4:15, 7:24-27)

He was gracious in his speech and bearing. The psalmist writes of him, “Gracious words stream from your lips.” (vs. 2). John wrote this of him …

   The Word became flesh and lived for a while among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John testifies concerning him. He cries out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ ”

   From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses. Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. (John 1:14-17 NIV)

‘… the most handsome of all’ - ‘gracious words’ streaming from his lips. Spurgeon[7] writes of the way in which these two qualities combine in Christ.

   Beauty and eloquence make a man majestic when they are united. They both dwell in perfection in the all fair, all eloquent Lord Jesus. Grace of person and grace of speech reach their highest point in him. Grace has in the most copious manner been poured upon Christ, for it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell, and now grace is in superabundance, poured forth from his lips to cheer and enrich his people. The testimony, the promises, the invitations, the consolations of our King pour forth from him in such volumes of meaning that we cannot but contrast those cataracts of grace with the speech of Moses which did but drop as the rain, and distil as the dew. Whoever in personal communion with the well beloved has listened to his voice will feel that ‘never man spake like this man.’ Well did the bride say of him, ‘his lips are like lilies dropping sweet-smelling myrrh.’ One word from himself dissolved the heart of Saul of Tarsus, and turned him into an apostle, another word raised up John the Divine when fainting in the Isle of Patmos. Oftentimes a sentence from his lips has turned our own midnight into morning, our winter into spring.

Searching through the Scriptures we find many examples of his gracious bearing and speech. The Lord is gracious …

-         In the invitation he offers. Catch the smile of welcome in his voice as issues this invitation to all people …

  “Come to me, all you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

  The word picture Jesus draws here is taken from a farming scene where some oxen are pulling a plough. The wooden yoke placed on the necks of the oxen to keep them pulling together needs to fit correctly so that it does not irritate and chafe. The service yoke of the Lord fits each person perfectly.

-         When offering rebuke. Sense the Lord’s disappointment as he quietly reproves the disciples for their slowness to believe that he had risen.

   Afterward he appeared to two who were walking from Jerusalem into the country, but they didn’t recognize him at first because he had changed his appearance. When they realized who he was, they rushed back to tell the others, but no one believed them.

   Still later he appeared to the eleven disciples as they were eating together. He rebuked them for their  unbelief—their stubborn  refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen. (Mark 16:12-14)

    And on an earlier occasion when the Lord rebukes his disciples for their own lack of graciousness as they endeavored to serve him.

   As the time drew near for his return to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. He sent messengers ahead to a Samaritan village to prepare for his arrival. But they were turned away. The people of the village refused to have anything to do with Jesus because he had resolved to go to Jerusalem. When James and John heard about it, they said to Jesus, “Lord, should we order down fire from heaven to burn them up?” But Jesus turned and rebuked them. So they went on to another village. (Luke 9:51-56)

-         In his teaching. Be moved, as the other worshippers were, by his gracious words as he reads from the Scriptures in the synagogue of his home town Nazareth.

   When he came to the village of Nazareth, his boyhood home, he went as usual to the synagogue on the Sabbath and stood up to read the Scriptures. The scroll containing the messages of Isaiah the prophet were handed to him, and he unrolled the scroll to the place where it says:

   “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has appointed me to preach Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the downtrodden will be freed from their oppressors, and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.”

   He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the attendant, and sat down. Everyone in the synagogue stared at him intently. Then he said, “This Scripture has come true today before your very eyes!”

   All who were there spoke well of him and were amazed by the gracious words that fell from his lips. “How can this be?” they asked. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” (Luke 4:16-22)

  Hear the understanding in his voice as he patiently teaches his disciples about the difficulties some people have in believing in him, people such as a man of considerable wealth who came to Jesus asking how he could gain eternal life. 

   Jesus felt genuine love for this man as he looked at him. “You lack only one thing,” he told him. “Go and sell all you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” At this, the man’s face fell, and he went away sadly because he had many possessions.

   Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for rich people to get into the Kingdom of God!” This amazed them. But Jesus said again, “Dear children, it is very hard to get into the Kingdom of God. It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!” (Mark 10:21-25)

-         In his provision. Watch his gracious bearing as he organizes a picnic meal for the crowds who had come to listen to his teaching.

   Then he told the people to sit down on the grass. And he took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and asked God’s blessing on the food. Breaking the loaves into pieces, he gave some of the bread and fish to each disciple, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate as much as they wanted, and they picked up twelve baskets of leftovers. About five thousand men had eaten from those five loaves, in addition to all the women and children. (Matthew 14:19-21)

No one can be compared with our Lord Jesus Christ. Not even the angels, says the author of the Hebrews document …

   Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. But now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he made the universe and everything in it. The Son reflects God’s own glory, and everything about him represents God exactly. He sustains the universe by the mighty power of his command. After he died to cleanse us from the stain of sin, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God of heaven. 

   This shows that God’s Son is far greater than the angels, just as the name God gave him is far greater than their names. For God never said to any angel what he said to Jesus: “You are my Son. Today I have become your Father.”[8] And again God said, “I will be his Father and he will be my Son.”[9] (Hebrews 1:1-6)

Incomparable in his person and character Christ is …

Greatly Blessed By The Lord

The psalmist now adds, ‘God himself has blessed you forever.’ (vs. 2b). And the wonder for us is that those who accept him come to share in those blessings. Paul explains how this can be …

   How we praise God, the father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we belong to Christ. Long ago, even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in is eyes. His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. And this gave him great pleasure. So we praise God for the wonderful kindness he has poured out on us because we belong to his dearly loved Son. (Ephesians 1:3-6)

Spurgeon[10] comments …

   The rare endowments of the man Christ Jesus are given him of the father, that by them his people may be blessed with all spiritual blessings in union with himself.

The second feature we may notice in this portrait of the King is that he is …

MAJESTIC IN HIS VICTORY

Put on your sword, O mighty warrior!
You are so glorious, so majestic!
In your majesty, ride out to victory, defending truth, humility and justice.
Your arrows are sharp, piercing your enemies’ hearts.
The nations fall before you, lying down before your feet.
(vs. 3-5)

Searching through the Scriptures we find these areas in which our Lord Jesus has secured victory. He has won victory for us

Over Sin And Death

Death has resulted from the coming of sin into the world. This is why death holds such fear. There is a judgment to be faced after death. But death needs no longer to be approached in fear because a way for the forgiveness of our sins has been provided for us in the sacrificial death of Christ. With sins forgiven death becomes the gateway to eternal life. Satan’s power has been broken. Christ has won the victory. The New Testament writers explain …

   Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—Jesus also became flesh and blood by being born in human form. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the Devil, who had the power of death. Only in this way could he deliver those who have lived all their lives as slaves to the fear of dying. (Hebrews 2:14-15)

   When this happens—when our perishable earthly bodies have been transformed into heavenly bodies that will never die—then at last the Scriptures will come true:

   “Death is swallowed up in victory.[11] O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”[12]

   For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. How we thank God, who gives us victory over sin and death through Jesus Christ our Lord. (1 Corinthians 15:54-57)

Christ has also won the victory …

Over All Demonic Powers

There are enemies out there plotting and working against us. Paul reminds God’s people of the battle that is going on.

   A final word: Be strong with the Lord’s mighty power. Put on all of God’s amour so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies and tricks of the Devil. For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms. (Ephesians 6:10-12)

But, as Paul explains in another of his letters, we are able to enter into the victory Christ has already won over them.

   You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ. He forgave all our sins. He cancelled the record that contained the charges against us. He took it and destroyed it by nailing it to Christ’s cross. In this way, God disarmed the evil rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross of Christ. (Colossians 2:13:15)

It is because of Christ’s victory that none of these evil forces can take us away from his care. Listen to Paul again.

   Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or are hungry or cold or in danger or threatened with death? (Even the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are being slaughtered like sheep.”[13]) No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ who loved us.

   And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can’t and life can’t. The angels can’t, and the demons can’t. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can’t keep God’s love away. Whether we are high above the sky or in the deepest ocean[14], nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:35-39)

He has also gained the victory  …

Over Those In Rebellion Against The Lord

The rebellion among the nations that is evident today will be finally played out when the nations gather in the Middle East for one last battle in the attempt to establish supremacy in the region with the appointment of their own ruler in Jerusalem. But the Lord has the final say, with the return of the one he has chosen.

   Why do the nations rage? Why do the people waste their time with futile plans? The kings of the earth prepare for battle. The rulers plot together against the LORD and against his anointed one. “Let us break their chains,” they cry, “and free ourselves from this slavery.”

   But the one who rules in heaven laughs. The LORD scoffs at them. Then in anger he rebukes, terrifying them with his fierce fury. For the LORD declares, “I have placed my chosen king on the throne in Jerusalem, my holy city.” (Psalm 2:1-6)

   Then the LORD will go out to fight against those nations, as he has fought in times past. On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which faces Jerusalem on the east. And the Mount of Olives will split apart, making a wide valley running from east to west, for half the mountain will move toward the north and half toward the south. You will flee through this valley, for it will reach across to Azal. Yes, you will flee as you did from the earthquake in the days of King Uzziah of Judah. Then the LORD my God will come, and his holy ones with him. On that day the sources of light will no longer shine, yet there will be continuous day! Only the LORD knows how this could happen! There will be no normal day and night, for at evening time it will still be light. On that day life giving waters will flow out from Jerusalem, half toward the Dead Sea and half toward the Mediterranean, flowing continuously both in summer and winter.

   And the LORD will be king over all the earth. On that day there will be one LORD—his name alone will be worshipped. (Zechariah 14:3-9)

He Is Well Equipped For The Battle

   With sword …

When the song writer says to the king, ‘Put on your sword, O mighty warrior’ (vs. 3), we have a picture of the sword wielded by God’s anointed one. But it is not a sword like those used by warring peoples of the world. When John wrote that ‘a sharp two edged sword came from his mouth,’[15] he knew that it was another kind of sword—‘the word of God … living and active … sharper than any double-edged sword.’[16] His word is all he needs to put down the rebellion. It was by his word alone, for example, that the storm was quelled as the disciples were crossing the lake one day. Luke tells the story.

   One day, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and started out. On the way across, Jesus lay down for a nap, and while he was sleeping the wind began to rise. A fierce storm developed that threatened to swamp them, and they were in real danger.

   The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!”

   So Jesus rebuked the wind and the raging waves. The storm stopped and all was calm! Then he asked them, “Where is your faith?”

   And they were all filled with awe and amazement. They said to one another, “Who is this man, that even the winds and the waves obey him?” (Luke 8:22-25)

And so it will be on that glorious day of his return. A word from him will bring the warring nations under control.

   With sharp arrows

The arrows in the kings armory ‘are sharp, piercing your enemies hearts,’ (vs. 5). Here is another word picture of the word of the Lord, winging its way into peoples’ hearts. Like the arrows of the skilful marksman his word always finds it mark. In speaking of the person who fears the Lord, David says that the Lord “will instruct him in the way chosen for him.”[17] The word David uses for instruct is the Hebrew word ‘yara’. Its primary meaning is ‘to throw’, or ‘to shoot’ as one would shoot an arrow. In its secondary or extended meaning the word takes on the sense of giving instruction.

We see in David’s next reference to his king, a picture of Jesus riding forth …

Victorious In ‘Defending Truth, Humility, And Justice’

And performing ‘awe inspiring deeds.’ (vs. 4b). John’s vision of his appearing adds to the picture.

   Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. And the one sitting on the horse was named Faithful and True. For he judges fairly and then goes to war. His eyes were bright like flames of fire, and on his head were many crowns. A name was written on him, and only he knew what it meant. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and his title was the Word of God. The armies of heaven, dressed in pure white linen, followed him on white horses. From his mouth came a sharp sword, and with it he struck down the nations. He ruled them with an iron rod, and he trod the wine press of the fierce wrath of almighty God. On his robe and thigh, was written this title: King of kings and Lord of lords.  (Revelation 19:11-16)

Next in this wedding song we see Christ as …

SUPREME IN HIS DIVINITY

Your throne O God, endures for ever.
Your royal power is expressed in justice.
(vs. 6)

The writer takes a huge semantic and prophetic leap here as he addresses the king as God. The Holy Spirit moves the poet’s pen to draw yet another word picture of the Lord Jesus Christ. Spurgeon[18] asks his readers …

   To whom can this be spoken but our Lord? The psalmist cannot restrain his adoration. His enlightened eye sees in the royal husband of the church, God, God to be adored, God reigning, God reigning everlastingly. Blessed sight! Blind are the eyes that cannot see God in Christ Jesus.

   We never appreciate the tender condescension of our King in becoming one flesh with his church, and placing her at his right hand, until we have fully rejoiced in his essential glory and deity. What a mercy for us that our savior is God, for who but God could execute the work of salvation? What a glad thing it is that he reigns on a throne which will never pass away, for we need both sovereign grace and eternal love to secure our happiness. Could Jesus cease to reign we should cease to be blessed, and were he not God, and therefore eternal, this must be the case. No throne can endure forever, but that on which God himself sits.

John begins his account with a clear statement of Christ’s divinity.

   In the beginning the Word already existed. He was with God, and he was God. He was in the beginning with God. He created everything there is. Nothing exists that he didn’t make. Life itself was in him, and this life gives light to everyone. The light shines through the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. (John 1:1-5)

The fact of Christ’s divinity was revealed to Joseph in a dream when an angel of the Lord said to him,

   “Joseph, son of David … do not be afraid to go ahead with your marriage to Mary. For the child within her has been conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” And all of this happened to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet:

“Look! The virgin will conceive a child!

She will give birth to a son, and he will be called Immanuel,[19]

meaning, God is with us.” (Matthew 2:20b-23)

And now we see the groom … 

DAZZLING IN HIS READINESS FOR HIS BRIDE 

You love what is right and hate what is wrong.
Therefore God, your God, has anointed you,
pouring out the oil of joy on you more than anyone else.
Your robes are perfumed with myrrh, aloes, and cassia.
In palaces decorated with ivory,
you are entertained by the music of harps.
(vs. 7-8) 

In the song writer’s description of the king in his readiness to receive his bride we find a further picture of Christ. He is ready and waiting for his bride, the church. We see in this picture of him …

The Attractiveness Of His Purity

“You love what is right and hate what is wrong,” writes the psalmist of his king. (vs. 7a). Maintaining a clean outward appearance is never to be neglected. Equally important is the need for inner purity. Jesus said, “God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they shall see God.”[20] And Paul reminded Timothy, “Keep yourself pure.”[21] John speaks of Christ’s purity as the example to be aspired to.

   Yes, dear friends, we are already God’s children, and we can’t even imagine what we will be like when Christ returns. But we do know that when he comes we will be like him for we will see him as he really is. And all who believe this will keep themselves pure, just as Christ is pure. (1 John 3:2-3) 

The Joyful Spring In His Step 

There is a joyfulness about him because “God, your God, has anointed you, pouring out the oil of joy on you more than on anyone else.” (vs. 7b). There was a period of sorrow as he approached the time of his death. It was in the garden of Gethsemane that he said to Peter and Zebedee’s two sons, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death.”[22] But he endured because of the joy that was to come to him later. “He was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy he knew would be his afterward.”[23] So that now his bearing is one of joyfulness. The reason for his joy being the people who have repented of their sins, accepted his forgiveness, and taken their place among the redeemed “from every tribe and language and people and nation.”[24] And the wonder of it is that he imparts this joyfulness to us, putting a spring in our steps. To those who choose to follow him, Jesus says …

   I have loved you even as the father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey me, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father and remain in his love. I have told you this so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!” (John 15:9-11) 

Weighed down with troubles? Feeling heavy in spirit under a mountain of difficulties? An anointing with the oil of joy is promised to you. The prophet of old leaves these words for the Messiah to announce at his coming.

   The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach the good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance for our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor. (Isaiah 61:1-3 NIV)

The Fragrance Of His Presence 

A fragrance permeates the space the king enters, coming from the spices used in biblical times for perfuming clothes and beds, ‘myrrh, aloes, and cassia’ (vs. 8a). Christ adds fragrance to the lives of those who choose to follow him. His presence added a pleasant aroma to the dinner party in the home of Mary and Martha. When Mary ‘took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet with it and wiped his feet with her hair,’ it was not just the perfume from her jar which ‘filled the house with fragrance’.[25] It was the fragrance of his presence, giving the impetus for her action. There is a pleasantness about him. It is this fragrance that transfers to his people. This is what Paul is talking about in his letter to the church in Corinth.

   But thanks be to God, who made us his captives and leads us along in Christ’s triumphal procession. Now wherever we go he uses us to tell others about the Lord and to spread the Good News like a sweet perfume. Our lives are a fragrance presented by Christ to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those being saved and by those perishing. To those who are perishing we are a fearful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved we are a life giving perfume.  (2 Corinthians 2:14-16)

Next in the picture drawn by the song writer we notice …

The Grandeur Of His Dwelling 

King Solomon’s palace was a grand place. Our song writer tells us that it was ‘decorated with ivory.’ (vs. 8b). The biblical writer describes how it was built following the building of the temple.

   The foundation of the LORD’s Temple was laid in mid-spring of the fourth year of Solomon’s reign. The entire building was completed in every detail by mid autumn of the eleventh year of his reign. So it took seven years to build the Temple.

   Solomon also built a palace for himself, and it took him thirteen years to complete the construction. One of Solomon’s buildings was called the Palace of the Forest of Lebanon. It was 150 feet long, 75 feet wide, and 45 feet high. The great cedar ceiling beams rested on four rows of cedar pillars. It had a cedar roof supported by forty five rafters that rested on three rows of pillars, fifteen in each row. On each of the side walls there were three rows of windows facing each other. All the doorways were rectangular in frame. They were in sets of three, facing each other.

   He also built the Hall of Pillars, which was 75 feet long and 45 feet wide. There was a porch at its front, covered by a canopy that was supported by pillars.

   There was also the Hall of the Throne, also known as the Hall of Judgment, where Solomon sat to hear legal matters. It was paneled with cedar from floor to ceiling. Solomon’s living quarters surrounded a courtyard behind this hall. They were built in the same way. He also built similar living quarters for Pharaoh’s daughter, one of his wives.

   All these buildings were built entirely from huge, costly blocks of stone, cut and trimmed to exact measure on all sides. Some of the huge foundation stones were 15 feet long, and some were 12 feet long. The costly blocks of stone used in the walls were also cut to measure, and cedar beams were also used. The walls of the great courtyard were built so that there was one layer of cedar beams after every three layers of hewn stones, just like the walls of the inner courtyard of the LORD’s Temple with its entrance foyer.(1 Kings 6:37 - 7: 12).

Alfred Edersheim[26] fills in some further details for us …

    Thus the royal palace really consisted of three separate buildings. Externally it was simply of ‘costly stones’ (vs. 9), the beauty of its design only appearing in its interior. Here the building extended along three sides. The ground-floor consisted of colonnades of costly cedar, the beams being fastened into the outer walls. These colonnades would be hung with tapestry, so as to be capable of being formed into apartments. Above these rose, on each side of the court, three tiers of chambers, fifteen on each tier, with large windows looking out upon each other. Here were the State apartments for court feasts, and in them were kept, among other things, the golden targets and shields (1 Kings 10:16-17). Passing through another colonnade, one would next reach the Grand Judgment- and Audience-halls, with the magnificent throne of ivory, described in 1 Kings 10:18-20; 2 Chronicles 9:17-19. And lastly, the innermost court contained the royal dwellings themselves. 

But far more grand than the palace of Solomon is the dwelling place of the Lord. And it is there that places are being prepared for his people. Jesus leaves this promise with his disciples.

   “Don’t be troubled. You trust God, now trust in me. There are many rooms in my Father’s home, and I am going to prepare a place for you. If this were not so, I would tell you plainly. When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.” (John 14:1-3)

The Lord has always planned to share his home with his people. John was given this preview.

   I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, the home of God is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will remove all their sorrows, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. For the old world and its evils are gone forever.”

   And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making all things new!’ And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.” And he also said, “It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give the springs of the water of life without charge! All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children.” (Revelation 21:3-7)

And also from the palace of the king can be heard …

The Joyfulness Of Its Music And Song

From the dwelling place of the king comes 'the music of harps'. (vs.8c). John heard the joyful sound of singing from the home of God.

And as he took the scroll, the four living beings and the twenty four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they held gold bowls filled with incense, the prayers of God's people! And they sang a new song with these words:

“You are worthy to take the scroll and break its seals and open it.

For you were killed, and your blood has ransomed people for God

from every tribe and language and people and nation.

And you have caused them to become God’s kingdom and his priests.

And they will reign on the earth.”
 

   Then I looked again, and I heard the singing of thousands and millions of angels around the throne and the living beings and the elders. And they sang in a mighty chorus:
 

“The Lamb is worthy—the Lamb who was killed.

He is worthy to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength

and honor and glory and blessing.”
 

   And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They also sang:
 

"Blessing and honor and glory and power

belong to the one sitting on the throne

and to the Lamb forever and ever.”
 

   And the four living beings said, “Amen!” And the twenty four elders fell down and worshipped God and the Lamb.

(Revelation 5:8-14)

When Moses came down from the mountain after receiving the details of the covenant God had prepared for his people to consider, he found the people embroiled in controversy and division. But over and above the noise he heard the sound of singing. Was it a pre-hearing of the singing John heard—the joyful singing form the home of God as his great redemptive plan came to its conclusion?

   Moses turned and went down the mountain with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands. They were inscribed on both sides, front and back. The tablets were the work of God. The writing was the writing of God, engraved on the tablets.

   When Joshua heard the noise of the people shouting, he said to Moses, “There is the sound of war in the camp.”

   Moses replied: “It is not the sound of victory, it is not the sound of defeat. It is the sound of singing I hear.” (Exodus 32:15-18 NIV) 

Moses was able to look beyond what was facing him then, to something, to someone, greater and bigger than the turmoil that exists among the people of the world.

WAITING EXPECTANTLY FOR THE BRIDE (vs. 9)

The song writer pauses before he goes on to draw a picture of the bride. He sees that all the preparations for the wedding have been completed. The invitations have been sent out. All that is needed for the week long festivities is in place. The musicians are well rehearsed. The oxen and fat calves have been killed and ready for cooking. All the other food required for the wedding banquet has been gathered. The poet addresses the king once more … 

Daughters of kings are among your honored women.
At your right hand is the royal bride in gold of Ophir.
(vs. 9 NIV)

He knows that in the mind of the king his bride is already at his side. Noble women wait for her with him. There is a picture here of the scene in heaven where all is in readiness for the coming of the church, pictured in this wedding song as a bride. Paul has this picture[27] of the church in mind when he speaks to husbands of the way in which they ought to love their wives.

   And you husbands must love your wives with the same love Christ showed the church. He gave up his life for her to make her holy and clean, washed by baptism and God’s word. He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead she will be holy and without fault. In the same, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man is actually loving himself when he loves his wife. No one hates his own body but lovingly cares for it, just as Christ cares for his body, which is the church. And we are his body.

   As the Scriptures say, “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.”[28]

   This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one. So again I say, each man must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. (Ephesians 5:25-33)

Robert Saucy[29] writes …

   The love of Christ for his bride far surpasses anything known on the human level, even though it is set forth as the ideal of human love.

   Among the ancients there was the practice of the groom giving a price to the father or brother of the bride. Christ did not give of the wealth of creation for the Church, which he could have given without end, but he gave himself.

   So Christ as head and savior has not only redeemed his bride, but his love continues to be shown making daily provision in every area for her.

John describes the heavenly scene for us, where Christ, ‘the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world,[30] the royal groom, waits for his bride, the church.

   And from the throne came a voice that said, “Praise our God, all his servants, from the least to the greatest, all who fear him.”

   Then I heard again what sounded like the shout of a huge crowd, or the roar of mighty ocean waves, or the crash of  loud thunder. “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns. Let us be glad and rejoice and honor him. For the time has come for the wedding feast of the Lamb, and his bride has prepared herself.” (Revelation 19:5-7)
 

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