Psalms 45:10

KJV

¶ Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy father's house;

KJV (with Strong's)

Hearken {H8085}{H8798)}, O daughter {H1323}, and consider {H7200}{H8798)}, and incline {H5186}{H8685)} thine ear {H241}; forget {H7911}{H8798)} also thine own people {H5971}, and thy father's {H1} house {H1004};

Complete Jewish Bible

Listen, daughter! Think, pay attention! Forget your own people and your father's house,

Berean Standard Bible

Listen, O daughter! Consider and incline your ear: Forget your people and your father’s house,

American Standard Version

Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; Forget also thine own people, and thy father’s house:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 45:10 issues a profound call to the royal bride, urging her to listen intently, consider deeply, and radically reorient her allegiances. This command to "forget also thine own people, and thy father's house" signifies a complete break from former loyalties and identities in favor of an exclusive and undivided devotion to her new husband and his royal household. The verse, situated within a psalm celebrating a king's wedding, carries significant messianic implications, foreshadowing the Church's call to absolute commitment to Christ as her divine Bridegroom.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 45 is uniquely designated as a "Maskil," indicating it is a contemplative or instructive psalm, and is explicitly titled a "Song of Loves" (verse 1). It functions primarily as a royal wedding song, celebrating the marriage of a king. The psalm unfolds in distinct sections: an address to the king (verses 2-9), an address to the queen (verses 10-12), a description of the wedding procession (verses 13-15), and a concluding blessing and promise of enduring fame (verses 16-17). Verse 10 specifically marks the pivotal transition to the address to the queen, shifting the focus from the king's majesty to the bride's necessary transformation and commitment. This instruction sets the stage for her full integration into the royal family and her new, elevated role within the kingdom.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, marriage, especially a royal marriage, was not merely a personal union but a profoundly significant political and social event. A bride typically moved from her paternal home ("father's house") to her husband's, a transition that involved a profound shift in identity, loyalty, and social standing. Her "father's house" represented her lineage, her former allegiances, her cultural heritage, and often her economic and social security. The command to "forget" these ties was a radical injunction, demanding a complete transfer of allegiance and a full embrace of her new family and identity. It underscored the absolute nature of the marital covenant and the expectation of undivided loyalty to her new husband and his kingdom, ensuring stability and unity within the royal household.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes within Psalm 45 and the broader biblical narrative. Fundamentally, it highlights the theme of **radical commitment and undivided loyalty** required in a covenant relationship. For the literal bride, it was about prioritizing her new husband above all past ties. The psalm's messianic interpretation, where the King is Christ and the bride is the Church, elevates this theme to a spiritual plane, emphasizing the **new identity and transformation** that comes with union with Christ. This call echoes God's initial command to Abraham to leave his land and "father's house" in [Genesis 12:1](/genesis/12-1 "Genesis 12:1 - God's Call to Abraham") to enter into a new covenant relationship. It also foreshadows the New Testament's call to discipleship, where allegiance to Christ must supersede all earthly relationships, as Jesus Himself states in [Luke 14:26](/luke/14-26 "Luke 14:26 - Jesus' Teaching on Discipleship"). The verse thus underscores the **supremacy of the new covenant relationship** and the **necessity of spiritual detachment** from anything that hinders full devotion to the divine Bridegroom.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hearken (Hebrew, _shamaʻ_):** This verb (H8085) means "to hear intelligently," often with the implication of attention, obedience, and understanding. It signifies not merely passive reception of sound but an active, intentional engagement with the message, implying a readiness to respond and conform to what is heard.
* **Forget (Hebrew, _shâkach_):** This word (H7911) does not imply amnesia or a complete erasure from memory. Rather, it signifies a deliberate act of "letting go," "disregarding," or "no longer prioritizing." In this context, it means to shift one's primary allegiance and focus away from former ties and loyalties to embrace a new, exclusive devotion. It's a reordering of priorities, where the past no longer holds sway over present and future commitment.
* **Father's house (Hebrew, _bayith ʼâb_):** This phrase refers to the patriarchal household, encompassing not just the physical dwelling (H1004, _bayith_) but the entire extended family, lineage, heritage, identity, and source of security (H1, _ʼâb_). To "forget" one's father's house is to relinquish the primary claim of one's birth family and fully integrate into the husband's family, adopting their identity and loyalties as paramount.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear;":** This tripartite command emphasizes the urgency and depth of the required attention from the bride. "Hearken" (listen attentively), "consider" (understand with discernment and reflection), and "incline thine ear" (lean in, pay close heed) collectively call for a profound and thoughtful reception of the instruction. It's an appeal for the bride to open herself fully to the King's word, indicating that the following commands are of utmost importance and require not just hearing, but deep contemplation and acceptance.
* **"forget also thine own people, and thy father's house;":** This is the core command, demanding a radical reorientation of identity and loyalty. "Thine own people" refers to her nation or tribe, while "thy father's house" signifies her immediate family and ancestral heritage. The command to "forget" them means to sever the primary allegiance to these former ties, relinquishing their claims on her identity and devotion. This is not about disrespecting her past, but about embracing a new, exclusive, and paramount loyalty to her husband and his kingdom. It's a call to a new, undivided identity.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 45:10 employs several potent **literary devices** to convey its urgent message. The prominent use of the **imperative mood** ("Hearken," "consider," "incline," "forget") creates a direct, authoritative, and non-negotiable tone, underscoring the gravity and absolute nature of the instruction given to the bride. **Parallelism** is evident in the triple command to listen ("Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear;"), which intensifies the call for attentive reception. Similarly, the parallel phrasing "thine own people, and thy father's house" reinforces the comprehensive nature of the required detachment from former allegiances, emphasizing that no part of her past loyalties should compete with her new commitment. The entire verse functions as a powerful **metaphor** and **symbolism**, where the literal royal bride and her separation from her past foreshadow the spiritual reality of the Church (the "daughter") being called to an exclusive and undivided devotion to Christ, her divine Bridegroom, leaving behind the "father's house" of the world and its values.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The profound call in Psalms 45:10 for the bride to "forget" her past allegiances resonates deeply with the biblical theme of new creation and radical discipleship. Just as the ancient Near Eastern bride was to fully integrate into her new husband's household, so too are believers called to shed their old identity and embrace a new life in Christ. This "forgetting" is not about denying one's heritage, but about shifting ultimate allegiance from earthly ties, sinful patterns, and worldly values to the supreme authority and love of Jesus Christ. It speaks to the transformative power of conversion, where the believer is no longer defined by their past but by their union with Christ, becoming a "new creation." This spiritual reorientation requires a deliberate choice to prioritize Christ above all else, embodying an exclusive devotion that mirrors the covenant faithfulness expected in marriage.

* [Genesis 12:1](/genesis/12-1 "God's Call to Abraham")
* [Luke 14:26](/luke/14-26 "Jesus' Teaching on Discipleship")
* [2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "New Creation in Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 45:10 serves as a timeless call to radical devotion for every believer. Just as the royal bride was to fully commit to her new husband, leaving behind her former life, so too are we, as the Church, called to an undivided allegiance to Christ. This means identifying and "forgetting" our own "people" and "father's house"—anything that competes for our ultimate loyalty. This could be worldly ambitions, cultural norms that contradict God's Word, past sinful habits, or even family traditions that hinder our walk with Christ. It's a call to prioritize His will, His kingdom, and His righteousness above all else. Embracing this new identity in Christ means actively shedding the "old self" and being continually transformed into His likeness, allowing His love and truth to redefine our every priority and relationship. Our spiritual journey is one of continually inclining our ear to Him, considering His commands, and letting go of anything that prevents our full and joyful surrender to our divine Bridegroom.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What are the "people" or "father's house" in my life that might still be competing for my ultimate allegiance to Christ?**
* **How can I more intentionally "hearken, consider, and incline my ear" to God's voice in my daily life?**
* **In what practical ways can I "forget" old habits, worldly values, or past identities to more fully embrace my new identity in Christ?**
* **What specific areas of my life need a reordering of priorities to reflect Christ as my supreme King and Bridegroom?**

### FAQ

**Does "forget" mean to literally abandon or disrespect my family?**

Answer: No, the Hebrew word *shâkach* (H7911, "forget") in this context does not mean to erase from memory or to literally abandon one's family in a disrespectful way. Instead, it signifies a reordering of priorities and a shift in ultimate allegiance. For the royal bride, it meant her primary loyalty and identity were now with her husband's household, not her birth family. Spiritually, for the Church, it means that our supreme allegiance belongs to Christ. While we are called to honor our parents and love our families, as commanded throughout Scripture (e.g., [Ephesians 6:2](/ephesians/6-2 "Ephesians 6:2 - Honor Your Father and Mother")), this love must never supersede our devotion to God. Jesus Himself taught that discipleship might involve a radical reordering of family loyalties when they conflict with following Him (cf. [Luke 14:26](/luke/14-26 "Luke 14:26 - Jesus' Teaching on Discipleship")). The command is about prioritizing Christ above all else, ensuring that no earthly relationship or past tie hinders our full commitment to Him.

**How does this verse apply to believers who are not literally marrying or are single?**

Answer: While Psalm 45 is a literal wedding song, its profound spiritual interpretation as a prophecy of Christ and the Church extends its application to all believers, regardless of their marital status. The "daughter" or bride in this psalm ultimately represents the Church, the collective body of believers, who are spiritually betrothed to Christ (cf. [2 Corinthians 11:2](/2_corinthians/11-2 "2 Corinthians 11:2 - Betrothed to One Husband")). Therefore, the call to "forget also thine own people, and thy father's house" is a universal spiritual principle for every individual Christian. It signifies the radical commitment required of anyone who enters into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. All believers are called to shift their primary allegiance from worldly systems, past sinful identities, and anything that competes with Christ, to embrace their new identity and undivided loyalty in Him. The spiritual reality of being united with Christ as His bride applies equally to single and married believers alike, emphasizing the absolute devotion required of all who follow Him.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 45:10 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ and His relationship with the Church. The King celebrated in this psalm is none other than Christ, the divine Bridegroom, and the "daughter" or bride is His Church. The call for the bride to "forget also thine own people, and thy father's house" is perfectly embodied in the believer's union with Christ. When we are united with Him, we are called to a radical reorientation of our lives, leaving behind the "old man" with its former ways and allegiances, and embracing a new identity in Him (cf. [Ephesians 4:22-24](/ephesians/4-22-24 "Ephesians 4:22-24 - Putting Off the Old Self and Putting on the New")). This "forgetting" is not a loss of memory, but a decisive shift in loyalty and affection, where Christ becomes our supreme priority and our new "home." His own self-emptying love and sacrifice on the cross made this new covenant possible, enabling us to be reconciled to God and become part of His divine household. Just as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself up for her (cf. [Ephesians 5:25](/ephesians/5-25 "Ephesians 5:25 - Christ's Love for the Church")), so too are we, His bride, called to an exclusive and undivided devotion to Him, finding our true identity and belonging in Him alone, becoming a "new creation" (cf. [2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Song Of Solomon 2:10

My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.

Song Of Solomon 2:13

The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines [with] the tender grape give a [good] smell. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.

Genesis 12:1

¶ Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:

Matthew 10:37

He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

Matthew 19:29

And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.

2 Corinthians 6:17

Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean [thing]; and I will receive you,

2 Corinthians 7:1

¶ Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.