"...in your splendor ride triumphantly
in the cause of truth, humility, and justice." (Psalm 45:4a HCSB)

July 20, 2026

Dear friends,

Reading the book of Psalms is very much like reading the New Testament. (A highlight each day for me is reading the word with my wife in the morning, and we return to the Psalms again and again.) So many of the individual psalms are cited directly or alluded to in the New Testament, and some are clearly Messianic, like Psalm 2, 22, and 45, the latter of which we read this morning.

PSALM 45, A ROYAL WEDDING. The setting for this psalm was a wedding, likely that of King Solomon. Like Psalm 2 this is categorized as a "royal psalm." In it the king typifies (foreshadows) the Messiah to come. Not every detail pertains to the coming Messiah (the "Christ", the Anointed One), but the psalm is a shadow or a lens that allows us to glimpse something greater to come, the greater Son of David. Now Solomon had many wives, but the Lord Jesus, only one (us, the Church: Eph 5:25-27; Rev 19:7-9). Also, Solomon had notable failures, and the Lord Jesus, none.

CHARACTER MATTERS. Solomon apparently was physically impressive (v 2), but Isaiah tells us that's not what would attract us to Messiah (Isa 53:2). It would be his character (Isa 11:1-5; 42:1-4). In his return, when he comes for his bride, Christ's full glory will be seen (Rev 19:11-12). Like Solomon, but much greater than Solomon, would be Jesus' passion for truth, meekness (humility), and righteousness (vv 4-5). Also, Christ shares God's divine nature and will rule forever (45:6-7; cited in Hebrews 1:8-9)... "But of the Son he says, 'Your throne, O God, is forever and ever...'" (Hebrews 1:8) This psalm is a celebratory glimpse of Jesus, our glorious King and eternal Lord!

RIDING FORTH. Some today would think that military strength and the violence necessary to defeat evil is somehow unbecoming of Jesus as Messiah, but that is not what the Bible says about our Savior. Indeed, at his first advent he came in gentleness and lowliness, proclaiming the gospel of reconciliation. But finally, at the end, the meek and humble of the earth will need a strong Defender, and judgment must fall on God's enemies. At Christ's second coming we are told the following:

"Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh, he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords." (Revelation 19:11-16)

LEAVING THE PAST BEHIND. Back in the psalm, the bride is challenged (45:10-13) to look to her glorious future rather than brood over what she left behind. Likewise, the Apostle Paul wrote to believers, "...one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (Phil 3:13-14). For Solomon's bride, as well as for us, one of the things which lies ahead is the new legacy we make for future generations: "In place of your fathers shall be your sons; you will make them princes in all the earth" (v 16). As Christian parents, grandparents, teachers, leaders and disciple-makers, we are setting an example and making an impact on generations to come. Our goal is not merely to produce progeny, but rather, to train children of royalty, that they might be heirs of glory: "In place of your fathers shall be your sons; you will make them princes in all the earth." (Psalm 45:16) Our goal here in this age is not to build our portfolios, have impressive careers, or extend our personal fiefdoms, but rather, to seek first the interests of Christ's kingdom and his righteousness.

NATIONS AND GENERATIONS. Our churches should be places where all races and ethnic groups are welcomed, and children are valued. In our own church hallway people of all ages and from many different nations mingle. We have often said that we exist "for the nations and for the generations." This is a theme that will be repeated throughout Psalms. Israel was called to teach their children and to be a light to the nations. Child-bearing and child-rearing in the Lord is our calling and a blessing under both old and new covenants (Gen 1:28; Pss 127, 128; Acts 2:39; Eph 6:1-4). Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 19:14) And all the nations shall be represented before the throne of Christ...

And they sang a new song, saying,
“Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals,
for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation,
and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God,
and they shall reign on the earth.” (Revelation 5:9-10 ESV)

Is this your heart and mine, that the nations around us, and the generations to come, shall know our beautiful and powerful and glorious King? I believe that he is coming soon! Come, Lord Jesus!

Sandy

Afterwords is an occasional newsletter on topics of interest to me (Sandy Young) since my retirement from full-time pastoral ministry. Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from The ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.