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Psalm 45: A royal wedding!
Today is a glorious day – our King is marrying a beautiful new Queen! The crowds gasp at her beauty. We all cheer our magnificent King. Christ is God’s chosen King, ruler of all earth for all time. His bride is us, his church, his love. Celebrate in awe and praise the majesty of our God! |
Psalm 45: On being the Bride of Christ: a reflection
(Especially suitable as a devotion for a women's group) As we grow towards maturity in Christ, what images sustain us? It’s wonderful to picture ourselves as a girl on her Father’s knee. but how do we come as adult women to Jesus? Psalm 45 is an invitation to praise and adore the risen Christ in all his glory and righteousness. And it invites us to come to him, to enter his kingdom, not as a groveling slave, not as a soldier in his army, not even as an honoured servant, but as we long in the depths of our heart to come - as his bride. Psalm 45 is a vivid drama, a royal wedding. You can almost hear the whirring of the paparazzi cameras and the cheering of the crowd outside. Praise and admiration for the King echo everywhere. There’s music playing as the bride makes her grand entrance. Let the bride be you - robed in gold, swirling with colour, so lovely! Friends accompany you as you walk towards the risen Christ, who adores you and desires you just for who you are. Scripture often speaks of weddings, it is a most intimate and passionate way that God declares his love for us and establishes his covenant with us. Let this image be more than an abstraction of the Church; make it personal, make it yours! For God invites us to know him ever more deeply, even more fully and open our hearts even more to his amazing love for you and for me. |
Psalm 45: The Royal Wedding
O Happy Day! What an honour to see this sight.
What a privilege to report on this event.
The King is here, ready and waiting.
And what a King he is, the most excellent of men!
He speaks well and all speak well of him.
All know of his victories, yet he carries himself with humility, he cares about justice.
He is trustworthy, he has no time for lies or corruption.
He has been raised up by God, chosen and anointed.
May he reign forever!
But wait, the musicians have started to play, a hush comes over the crowd,
for here she comes, the bride.
All gasp in wonder, for how lovely she is!
The King is enthralled by her beauty.
People from far and near are here to honour her,
to give her gifts and seek her favour.
How magnificent she is! What a dress, woven with gold, threaded with brilliant colour!
Her attendants lead her forward, graceful and glowing with joy,
the long walk through the crowd to the King.
You will be remembered for generations, lovely lady.
Ahead are many fruitful years for you.
O Happy Day!
O Happy Day! What an honour to see this sight.
What a privilege to report on this event.
The King is here, ready and waiting.
And what a King he is, the most excellent of men!
He speaks well and all speak well of him.
All know of his victories, yet he carries himself with humility, he cares about justice.
He is trustworthy, he has no time for lies or corruption.
He has been raised up by God, chosen and anointed.
May he reign forever!
But wait, the musicians have started to play, a hush comes over the crowd,
for here she comes, the bride.
All gasp in wonder, for how lovely she is!
The King is enthralled by her beauty.
People from far and near are here to honour her,
to give her gifts and seek her favour.
How magnificent she is! What a dress, woven with gold, threaded with brilliant colour!
Her attendants lead her forward, graceful and glowing with joy,
the long walk through the crowd to the King.
You will be remembered for generations, lovely lady.
Ahead are many fruitful years for you.
O Happy Day!
Note about the photo:
This is a stained glass window in Knox Church, Dunedin. Photo taken by Ian Thompson.
(Who knew Jesus looked so much like David Beckham?!)
This is a stained glass window in Knox Church, Dunedin. Photo taken by Ian Thompson.
(Who knew Jesus looked so much like David Beckham?!)