Psalms 45:11

So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for he [is] thy Lord; and worship thou him.

So shall the king {H4428} greatly desire {H183}{H8691)} thy beauty {H3308}: for he is thy Lord {H113}; and worship {H7812}{H8690)} thou him.

and the king will desire your beauty; for he is your lord, so honor him.

and the king will desire your beauty; bow to him, for he is your lord.

So will the king desire thy beauty; For he is thy lord; and reverence thou him.

Commentary

Psalm 45:11 (KJV) is a powerful verse from a royal wedding psalm, often interpreted with profound messianic significance. It declares, "So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for he [is] thy Lord; and worship thou him." This verse addresses the king's bride, emphasizing her allure to the sovereign and her duty to worship him.

Historical and Cultural Context

Psalm 45 is unique, styled as a "maskil" (a contemplative or instructive psalm) and a "Song of Loves." While it celebrates a human king's marriage, its language and imagery elevate it beyond an ordinary wedding song, pointing prophetically to the divine King, Jesus Christ. The "king's daughter" or "queen" (mentioned in preceding verses like Psalm 45:9) is often understood as a type of the Church, the bride of Christ. The verse reflects the ancient Near Eastern understanding of kingship and the reverence due to a sovereign, here transposed to a spiritual plane.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The King's Desire for Beauty: The "king" (the Messiah) is captivated by the "beauty" of His bride. This beauty is not merely superficial but represents her spiritual purity, holiness, and devotion, cultivated through obedience and separation from worldly influences (2 Corinthians 11:2).
  • Christ's Lordship: The phrase "for he is thy Lord" unequivocally declares the king's supreme authority. For the Church, this signifies the absolute Lordship of Jesus Christ over all believers.
  • The Call to Worship: The imperative "and worship thou him" is a direct command. It underscores the appropriate response to Christ's divine nature and sovereign rule โ€“ complete reverence, adoration, and submission. This is the natural outcome of recognizing His true identity and authority.

Linguistic Insights

  • The Hebrew word for "Lord" here is 'adon (ืื“ื•ืŸ), which denotes master, owner, or sovereign. Its use emphasizes the king's rightful dominion and authority over the bride.
  • "Beauty" comes from the Hebrew yophi (ื™ึนืคึดื™), which can refer to physical attractiveness but often carries broader connotations of splendor, excellence, and moral attractiveness, especially in a spiritual context.
  • "Worship" is from shachah (ืฉึธืื—ึธื”), meaning to bow down, prostrate oneself, or pay homage. It signifies an act of deep reverence, submission, and adoration, acknowledging a superior's dignity and power.

Practical Application

For believers today, Psalm 45:11 serves as a profound reminder of our relationship with Christ. We are called to:

  1. Cultivate Spiritual Beauty: Strive for inner purity, righteousness, and a life pleasing to God. This "beauty" is what truly draws the King's desire (1 Peter 3:4).
  2. Acknowledge Christ's Lordship: Fully surrender to Jesus as the supreme authority in all areas of life. He is our Master, our King, and our God.
  3. Live a Life of Worship: Our entire existence should be an act of worship, demonstrating reverence and obedience to Him. This worship is not just ritual but a heartfelt response to His love and sovereignty (John 4:24).

This verse beautifully illustrates the mutual relationship between Christ and His Church: His desire for her holiness and her duty to worship Him as her Lord.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 95:6 (17 votes)

    O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.

  • Isaiah 54:5 (15 votes)

    For thy Maker [is] thine husband; the LORD of hosts [is] his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.

  • Song Of Solomon 4:1 (13 votes)

    ยถ Behold, thou [art] fair, my love; behold, thou [art] fair; thou [hast] doves' eyes within thy locks: thy hair [is] as a flock of goats, that appear from mount Gilead.

  • Song Of Solomon 4:5 (13 votes)

    Thy two breasts [are] like two young roes that are twins, which feed among the lilies.

  • Zephaniah 3:17 (11 votes)

    The LORD thy God in the midst of thee [is] mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.

  • Philippians 2:10 (10 votes)

    That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of [things] in heaven, and [things] in earth, and [things] under the earth;

  • Philippians 2:11 (10 votes)

    And [that] every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ [is] Lord, to the glory of God the Father.