Psalms in Worship—Psalm 45 The Love of the Bride of Christ

All: 

My heart overflows with a goodly theme;
    I address my verses to the king;
    my tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe.
 

Bride of Christ:

You are the most handsome of men;
    grace is poured upon your lips;
    therefore God has blessed you forever.
Gird your sword on your thigh, O mighty one,
    in your glory and majesty.

In your majesty ride on victoriously
    for the cause of truth and to defend the right;
    let your right hand teach you dread deeds.
Your arrows are sharp
    in the heart of the king’s enemies;
    the peoples fall under you.
 

All:

Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever.
 

Bride of Christ:

    Your royal scepter is a scepter of equity;

    you love righteousness and hate wickedness.
Therefore God, your God, has anointed you
    with the oil of gladness beyond your companions;

    your robes are all fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia.
From ivory palaces stringed instruments make you glad;

    daughters of kings are among your ladies of honor;
    at your right hand stands the queen in gold of Ophir.
 

Narrator:

Hear, O daughter, consider and incline your ear;
    forget your people and your father’s house,
    and the king will desire your beauty.
Since he is your lord, bow to him;
 

Bride of Christ:

    Daughter Tyre will seek your favor with gifts,
the richest of the people 
    with all kinds of wealth.
 

Narrator:

The princess is decked in her chamber with gold-woven robes;
    in many-colored robes she is led to the king;
    behind her the virgins, her companions, follow.
With joy and gladness they are led along
    as they enter the palace of the king.
 

Bride of Christ:

In the place of ancestors you, O king, shall have sons;
    you will make them princes in all the earth.
I will cause your name to be celebrated in all generations;
 

All: 

    therefore [we] will praise you forever and ever.
—Psalm 44 ^NRSVUE