The Daily Office for September 11, 2012
Scripture Readings
Old Testament
Psalm
New Testament
Gospel
Reflection
Psalm 45 is a heavenly wedding song that rejoices in the union of Christ the Bridegroom and His bride, the church. This psalm has an unusually long and complicated title, perhaps to mark its royalty or deep importance. The title is "To the chief musician upon Shoshannim, for the sons of Korah. A Maschil, A song of loves." As elsewhere the psalm is addressed to the chief musician, the head of the tabernacle choir. The word Shoshannim literally means lilies; but exactly what upon lilies means is difficult to say. Similar expressions occur in three other psalms (60, 69, and 80). Perhaps it is descriptive of a trumpet-like instrument shaped like lilies or denotes some tune or melody according to which the psalm is to be rendered. In any case, this poetic title is followed by the designation for the sons of Korah, which either indicates authorship by these Levitical singers or a dedication to them. It is a didactic psalm, as indicated by the word Maschil; but the title concludes with "A song of loves," which probably refers to the subject matter of the psalm.
The psalm itself is an epithalamium, or wedding hymn, which would ordinarily be sung at a royal wedding. It's easy for believers to see Jesus Christ, our Lord and bridegroom, in this psalm and His marriage to His church. The quotation of verses 6 and 7 in Hebrews 1:8–9 ("“Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.”), as applicable to Christ, is conclusive evidence that this is a messianic hymn of praise to the marriage of the Lamb.
Collect for the Day
Almighty God, whose only Son has opened for us a new and living way into your presence: give us pure hearts and steadfast wills to worship you in spirit and in truth; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.