Psalm 45

Taken from the book, Psalms: The Pilgrims Ascent, by A. B. Saint

Gladness Personified

A Royal Psalm

I recently received an e-mail from a friend of mine. The e-mails she sends me are always a blessing and this one was no different. Usually, the main thrust or substance of any of the e-mails she sends me are filled in one way or other with references to the Lord Jesus and this time it was just the same. She touched upon a theme which is actually alluded to in the book of Psalms and in so doing she directed my attention to the topic of the “oil of gladness” which is cited in Psalm 45 and verse 7.  

I decided, when I could, to take a look again at this subject for myself and it was at this point that I remembered an old, but true story which I was once told. When you hear it you will find it both interesting and yet amusing all at the same time. It centres upon the life of a coloured gentleman who went by the name of a Mr George Hoagland. 

George lived in the United States of America around the time of the late 1800’s. I do not remember every detail now, but what I do recall is that because of the colour of his skin, and the fact that he could neither read nor write, he was put to work and asked to perform some of the most menial tasks of his day. However, from all accounts it appears he did have a very quick brain and was a very intelligent man. 

This intelligence showed itself in his entrepreneurial skills. For instance, when asked to clean homes which included the cleaning of carpets and linoleum he set about these duties with a passion. For years he worked on an idea to produce better cleaning fluids that would thoroughly clean and also leave a nice shine at the same time. It was then that he developed a cleaning fluid which he went on to call the Oil of Gladness! 

When people asked him about the title of his product he would then use it as a point of witness and talk to others about his faith in the Lord Jesus. George, being a keen Christian, must at some time or other have heard the Psalm we have before us today. He went on to open his own business and employed other people to work for him. If memory serves me right, he eventually became the minister of the church he helped bring together, and it seems was very highly thought of in the lives of all who knew him. 

What a lovely testimony to the goodness of God in his life, and how encouraging for any who have a difficult start in life. Thank God a bad start does not necessarily mean a bad ending. When thinking about George, I have a particular sense that, happy in the God of his Salvation and also in the pursuance of this God-given niche in his life, this Providence inspired calling, must on a day to day basis have gone about his duties demonstrating a cheerful, joyous belief in Christ. In a way, just like the labels on the bottles of his cleaning fluid, he would be that good representation of the oil of gladness which he sold.

Psalm 45 is a gloriously happy Psalm in itself. It is a Psalm which exudes gladness and rejoicing. As I begin to read it over again, it is as if all the windows and doors have been flung open wide to allow its readers a birds eye view of the scene which lies before. The Psalmist himself, one of the sons of Korah, begins with the opening words: “My heart is inditing a good matter……”

All the words of this Song, its theme, its tune, its purpose, have had their concept and construction beginning in his heart. Isn’t this where everything begins, in the heart? Oh, how careful we have to be to guard the heart.  What great advice the Apostle Paul gave us in the book of Philippians chapter 4 and verse 8 when he said these words: “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” 

In his thought life, as in every other area, the Christian must ever learn to rise above the things of this world, not just when he is dutifully writing out his sermon, or maybe tasked with or charged with the composing of a devotional hymn for others to sing. Not only when he is in the prayer closet, or speaking about his faith before men, but even in the oftentimes mundaneness of his daily toil, his thoughts must have their starting point and revolve around those things which will lift him up and gladden his heart, so that whatever he says or does is of God. It is such a tragedy that so many in this world today only think upon and feed upon those things which will do them no good at all. None of these depressing, gloomy, unproductive thoughts will lift up that individual in spirit and cause him to be filled with a gladsome mind. 

Just like George Hoagland, if anyone could be marked out as a person with a joyous heart and a gladsome mind it has to be the anointed author of Psalm 45. As soon as the Psalm opens this is glaringly obvious to see. Full of life, the centre core of his very being just seems to effervesce, to bubble over in praise for the king. When speaking about the king he wears his heart on his sleeve. He knows his subject matter well and he is able to recite what he has written.

At this early point in the Psalm, he reminds us of the prophet Isaiah, who exclaimed:  “Mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of Hosts.” He is like Job when he declared: “I have heard of Thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth Thee.” Our godly scribe declares: “I speak of the things which I have made touching the king.” Isn’t it true that to speak honestly of someone you have to know them well? 

His sacred song, his Psalm, the offering which he had put together for that occasion was very important, was indeed pivotal, as it had to do with the king’s own marriage ceremony. Putting pen to paper he writes with a passion as he formulates, composes, and develops the piece. He says, “My tongue is the pen of a ready writer.”  Bless God he had something to say that not only cheered his own heart but would also cheer the hearts of others. He had been given the opportunity to glorify God in a particular way and just like George Hoagland he seized his opportunity with both hands. Praise God for every God-given opportunity to serve Him.   

Whether this Bridal Song, sung by the sons of Korah, was for king Solomon only or was used for other Davidic kings who followed after, we simply have no idea. However, we do know that the bride comes from afar. This, as you would expect, is no humble peasant wedding; rather the whole fabric of the Psalm is to do with such an opulence, such a lavishness, such a grandeur thus far unknown. It is the wedding of the king to his dearly loved and longed for bride. 

As we read and re-read the account we can see that no expense has been spared here. Melded or woven into its verses is that precious metal known as gold, even that gold which we are told came from Ophir. Ophir, that mysterious, ancient region known in days long ago for its abundant, plenteous supply of precious gold. Ophir was synonymous with this precious metal. It was said that king Solomon received a cargo of gold, silver, sandalwood, pearls, ivory, apes, and peacocks every three years. In 1 Kings chapter 10 and verse 11 we read: “And the navy also of Hiram, which brought gold from Ophir, brought in from Ophir great plenty of almug trees and precious stones.” 

The Psalmist gives us an insight into the character of this king when  he writes: “Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore, God hath blessed thee for ever.” The king is seen as being comely both on the inside as well as on the outside. In the same verse he is seen as one whose speech is always, without exception, full of grace. His conversation is so pleasant and so loving. No lies have ever been heard to proceed from his lips, neither has he ever spoken an unclean word. What a king this must be for indeed he is flawless! 

Solomon was never known as a man of war, yet this king in the following verses is portrayed as going forth as a mighty conqueror! Notice also in verse 6, how the throne of this king is seen to last for ever and ever. In truth, can this really be speaking of any earthly king? Is our Psalmist just stretching the truth a bit when he speaks forth these things? Does he feel compelled to overdo things because the Song is for such an awesome occasion? 

The scribe goes on to tell how that this king loves righteousness, and hates wickedness. The result is therefore that God has anointed him with the “Oil of Gladness” above his fellows. Here this word pops up again and takes centre stage, but this time it is used in connection with that precious commodity called oil. All the Old Testament kings we know were anointed with oil at their coronation, but never in such a way as this king was anointed. This special anointing of the Oil of Gladness upon this particular king, was, we are told, above his fellows. In other words, the anointing he received was a greater anointing. In fact, later in the bible, in John’s Gospel chapter 3 and verse 34, we read how the anointing he received was given without measure.

The Gladness referred to here is not simply speaking of that state of mind which we would naturally describe as happiness, but it is rather speaking of something which is far more exceptional, something which is considerable, indeed something which is very pronounced. It is speaking not only of joy, but of exceeding joy; not only of gladness, but gladness personified.

Again, this leads us to ask ourselves the question then, who was the Psalmist really referring to? Had he someone else in mind? In order to gain more understanding, we would do well to take a look at the New Testament book of Hebrews chapter 1 and verses 8 and 9 where the Apostle Paul gives us the answer. Here we read: “But unto the Son He saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of Thy kingdom. Thou hast loved righteousness and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed Thee with the oil of gladness above Thy fellows.”

Paul makes things clearer when he reveals that the king being truly honoured in Psalm 45 is actually King Jesus.  The Psalm is meant principally for our Lord. The Psalmist all those years ago has been used in prophecy here. Jesus really did love righteousness and hate iniquity, we know this to be true. Was there ever a time when our Lord Jesus ever compromised when preaching the Gospel? Never. Christ, the Son of God, the King of Kings is eternal and therefore His throne must be eternal.

In these few short ponderings, we could not possibly plumb the depths of all the teaching here set before us in Psalm 45. I will always be personally grateful for that brother in the Lord, who has long since left this scene of time, who first showed me the incomparable Christ as King and Bridegroom in this particular Psalm. The marriage ceremony here is not merely the marriage of an earthly king to his earthly bride, but of a heavenly king. He Himself is dressed in garments which are richly perfumed with the fragrance of myrrh and aloes and cassia. These spices were not idly chosen by our Bridegroom but were illustrative of all His Sufferings on our behalf in purchasing such a bride as we.  

In reading this Psalm we become all the richer in understanding, for do not these spices connect our Heavenly Bridegroom with the Cross, with His Suffering, His Death and Resurrection? Did He not give everything to purchase us? He gave all for us that we might be united in Him. And what of the Bride, a picture of the Redeemed, a portrait of the Church of Jesus Christ on that day when our Lord  comes back for us? Has He not dressed her in beautiful garments?

The Psalmist tells us how she stands at His right hand gloriously arrayed in raiment of needlework and with gold even from Ophir. In verses 10 and 11 we see that she leaves her old life behind in order to worship Him alone. In verse 14 she is brought unto the King with gladness and rejoicing. Is this not a picture of us today. Have we too not left the old world with its carnal nature behind? In our sins, were we not far removed from Him and has He now not brought us near? Do we now not serve Him with gladness too?

I close this Psalm with what I think are apt words from Jonathan Edwards: “God created the world to provide a spouse and a Kingdom for His Son: and the setting up of the Kingdom of Christ, and the spiritual marriage of the spouse to Him, is what the whole creation labours and travails in pain to bring to pass.” Taken from his book: The history of Redemption.

Taken from the book, Psalms: The Pilgrims Ascent, by A. B. Saint