Psalms 44 and 45
We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what work Thou didst in their days, in the times of old.” Psalm 44:11<<To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, Maschil.>> We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what work thou didst in their days, in the times of old. (Psalm 44:1). David and the singers of Israel had heard from their fathers the great work God had done for their people, and they too asked help from Him.
One way God comforted them was to tell them of the great King who should come; the 45th Psalm is all in praise to Him. Notice the first verse:
You see the writer wanted very much to tell about this King, and the words are as though spoken directly to Him: “Thou art fairer than the children of men.... therefore God hath blessed Thee forever.”
This King would be “mighty” with glory and majesty. Kings often do not rule long, and may use their scepter (or staff) to direct for wrong ways, but to this King is said:
“Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever the scepter of thy kingdom is a right scepter.
“Thou lovest, righteousness and hatest wickedness.”
Some of the words in the psalm we call, “word pictures,” for they teach of greater things than the words really mean; as, real arrows and swords will not be used by this King, but these words show He has power to destroy what is evil. It speaks of myrrh, aloes and cassia on His garments; those were rare spices or perfumes, used by the rich on their clothes and in burial, so those words would show that this great One had been in death. Palaces of ivory, beautifully polished, were the finest known, and from the best there will be praise to Him, whose glory will be far beyond ivory. He will give places of blessing to many, and there will be great joy. Notice the last verse:
“I will make Thy Name to be remembered in all generations; therefore the people shall praise Thee forever and ever.”
But many of the people of Israel and their children who sang these praises neglected what God told them of their sins, so they did not believe God’s words that this great One must first suffer for sins.
We now have heard even more wonderous things than they: in the Book of Hebrews, words from this psalm are repeated; there we learn it was God tih Father, who speaks those words to His Son:
“Unto the Son, He saith, Thy throne. O God, is forever and ever.” So the great King promised to Israel, will be Christ, the Son of God, who has already come to earth as Saviour, It is not told when He will come in power as King over Israel and the world; before that time there must be even greater sorrow than now on the earth.
ML 09/15/1940