Heart of a Psalmist - Worshipping Christ Through The Psalms

In the Old Testament the Lord is depicted as a Warrior before he is revealed as a Groom. His weapon is the ‘sword of his word’ and his mission is clear; defend the truth, uphold the humble of the earth and advance the cause of justice. In the Book of Revelation 19 the order is reversed from ‘wed- ding’ to ‘warrior.’ The glorious bride joins him in the final battle against the evil of this world: “ For he judges fairly and then goes to war. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and his title was the Word of God. From his mouth came a sharp sword, and with he struck down the nations. On his robe and thigh was written this title: King of kings and Lord of lords.” (Rev. 19:11, 13, 15, 16) “ Your throne, O God (Yahweh), endures forever and ever. Your royal power is expressed in jus- tice. You love what is right and hate what is wrong. Therefore God (Elohim), your God (Elohim), has anointed you, pouring out the oil of joy on you more than on anyone else.”(6,7) The writer to the Hebrews attributes verses 6 and 7 of the Psalm to be the words of God the Fa- ther, (represented by the Hebrew name Elohim) to God the Son, (represented by the name Yahweh.) “ But to his Son he says, ‘Your throne O God, endures forever and ever. Your royal power is expressed in righteousness.”(Heb. 1:8) It is astounding that God the Father and God the Son are revealed in this ancient marriage song. The writer to the Hebrews is using this psalm to prove Jesus was co-equal to God, the creator of everything, the very word of God who sustains the universe; the redeemer of mankind, the one seated at God’s right hand, the Lord over the angels, worthy of being worshiped and the honored Son. The implications of this utterance are breathtaking. “ …but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is su- perior to theirs….’Let all God’s angels worship him.’ But about the Son he says, ‘Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom.’” (Heb. 1:2-4, 6-8) The foundations of New Testament theology rest upon the sweet prophetic songs of the psalmists of Israel. Jesus was particularly fond of weddings as each human ceremony most likely reminded him of his coming nuptials to the church he loves so much. “ Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the cele- bration. (Wedding in Galilee. Jn. 2:2) These verses of the Psalm also shows him as the happiest per- son who ever lived; righteousness leads directly to enduring joy! “ I have told you this so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!” (Jn. 15:11)

“ Your robes are perfumed with myrrh, aloes, and cassia. In places decorated with ivory, you are en- tertained by the music of harps.”(8)

The language of this psalm is in the style of ‘Song of Songs’ reinforcing the argument that this is a description of Solomon’s marriage: “ His lips are like perfumed lilies. His breath is like myrrh…None can rival him. His mouth is altogether sweet; he is lovely in every way.”(Song of Songs 5:13, 15, 16) Wor- ship services should reflect the joy and celebration of a wedding day where love reigns and there is abundant happiness.

THE WEDDING OF THE QUEEN - 9-15

“ Kings’ daughters are among your concubines. At your right side stands the queen, wearing jew- elry of finest gold from Ophir! (9)

We are now presented with a description of the Queen that paints an allegorical picture of the bride of Christ as she prepares for her wedding. Paul describes the earthly marriage relationship in his letter to the Ephesians and then makes the same analogy: “ As the Scriptures say, ‘A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.’ This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one.” (Eph. 5:31, 32) The gold of Ophir was famous throughout the Old Testament era. David offered over 112 tons of it for the temple that Solomon was to build. In the New Testament the Temple is the Bride: “ And now because of my devotion to the Temple of my God, I am giving all of my own private treasures of gold and sliver to help in the construction….I am donating more than 112 tons of gold from Ophir…” (1 Chron. 29:3, 4)

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