Bible: What Do Psalms 45, 47-48 Teach Us About Solomon, Jesus and Jerusalem: The Kings and the Capital?

Solomon's "Glory Days"

This song of love (royal wedding song, NIV) celebrates Solomon's “glory days” early in his reign, while prophetically extolling the future Messiah's wondrous character.

Its author waxes eloquently, describing the king's handsome appearance and gracious speech as evidences of, but not reasons for, God's eternal blessing (vv. 1-2).

He exhorts this majestic and powerful ruler to ride victoriously, championing three marvelous virtues as he goes, and to perform awesome deeds of judgment upon both his enemies and the nations (vv. 3-5).

The author of Hebrews borrows verses six and seven from this work, and uses them to attribute absolute Deity to Jesus the Messiah (cf. Heb. 1:8, 9).

The psalmist addresses Solomon as “God,” referring perhaps to the king’s role as a mediatorial ruler with divine authority, whose kingdom through Messiah is eternal (v. 6a; cf. 2 Samuel 7:12-17).

Righteousness, his kingdom's hallmark, moves Elohim to bless him more than other "fellows" (vv. 6b-7).

Scented garments, pleasant music, and high-born ladies create a splendid ambiance for his marriage to the queen, clad all in gold (vv. 8-9).

Afterwards, the writer addresses a "daughter," encouraging her to "leave and cleave."

"Honor the king, because he/He is your lord/Lord and admirer (vv. 10-11), and nobles will honor you," he says (v. 12).

Both the royal daughter and the virgins, all decked in gorgeous robes, will attend the ceremony (vv. 13-15).

Solomon will make his sons princes; God's people will praise him/Him forever (vv. 16-17).

[Sometimes historical and prophetical elements intertwine so intricately that precise interpretation becomes uncertain.

How much is symbolic? Which personages do the symbols represent]?

Psalm 47

The Coming Reign of Messiah

The psalmist exhorts the “peoples” to direct, uninhibited, enthusiastic worship toward the LORD, the great King, since He will one day rule over the “peoples” through Israel (vv. 1-4).

For this reason, the people of God ought to praise Him enthusiastically, yet also with understanding (vv. 5-7).

Even though this earthly dominion is still future, God nevertheless reigns now over His universe (v. 8); therefore, the nobles of Israel gather to praise Him (v. 9).

[An eschatological Messianic psalm, it tells us that Israel will one day reign with Christ, the great King, and that that dominion will have its headquarters on Earth].

Psalm 48

Jerusalem, the City of the Great King

The sons of Korah raise another song of praise to their great King.

The LORD has established the beautiful, elevated city of Jerusalem as His own (vv. 1-2); He protects His residence on Earth (v. 3).

By the assembled kings' reactions (namely, fear and pain), one can surmise that God discouraged them from attacking this beloved place (vv. 4-8).

After due consideration of His chesed (“lovingkindness,”loyal love), His shem (“name”), His tsedeq (“righteousness”), and His mishpatim (“judgments”), the writers acknowledge that God deserves all praise (vv. 9-11).

[The “name” of Yahweh refers to His reputation or character].

Jerusalem stands as a testimony to His power and His guidance of the nation of Israel.

Recalling this truth, the psalmist encourages his audience to pass down such knowledge to their descendants (vv. 12-14).

[God has preserved Jerusalem throughout the centuries, and He will one day reign there over the whole earth].