For the choirmaster. To the tune of “The Lilies.” A Maskil of the sons of Korah. A love song. My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses to the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer.
Parallel translations
- WEB For the Chief Musician. Set to “The Lilies.” A contemplation by the sons of Korah. A wedding song. My heart overflows with a noble theme. I recite my verses for the king. My tongue is like the pen of a skillful writer.
- KJV My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer.
- NKJV My heart is overflowing with a good theme; I recite my composition concerning the King; My tongue is the pen of a ready writer.
- NASB My heart is moved with a good theme; I address my verses to the King; My tongue is the pen of a ready writer.
- NLT Beautiful words stir my heart. I will recite a lovely poem about the king, for my tongue is like the pen of a skillful poet.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The poet's heart overflows as he composes a royal wedding song, his tongue like a skilled writer's pen. It matters because it introduces a psalm celebrating the king, ultimately fulfilled in Christ.
Overview
This superscription and opening present a festive song for a royal wedding, the poet stirred to eloquent praise. Set to a known melody, it honors the king and his bride. The New Testament (Hebrews 1) applies the psalm's praise of the king to Christ, so this wedding song points beyond any earthly monarch to the King and His bride, the church.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 22
- Ps 49:3My mouth will impart wisdom, and the meditation of my heart will bring understanding.
- 2 Sam 23:2The Spirit of the LORD spoke through me; His word was on my tongue.
- Job 33:3My words are from an upright heart, and my lips speak sincerely what I know.
- Prov 16:23The heart of the wise man instructs his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
- Job 32:18–20For I am full of words, and my spirit within me compels me.
- Isa 5:1I will sing for my beloved a song of his vineyard: My beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile hill.
- Song 1:1–7This is Solomon’s Song of Songs.
- 2 Pet 1:21For no such prophecy was ever brought forth by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
- Prov 8:6–9Listen, for I speak of noble things, and the opening of my lips will reveal right.
- Ps 24:7–10Lift up your heads, O gates! Be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of Glory may enter!
- Ps 69:1For the choirmaster. To the tune of “Lilies.” Of David. Save me, O God, for the waters are up to my neck.
- Song 1:12While the king was at his table, my perfume spread its fragrance.
- Ps 2:6“I have installed My King on Zion, upon My holy mountain.”
- Matt 25:34Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
- Eph 5:32This mystery is profound, but I am speaking about Christ and the church.
- Job 34:4Let us choose for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good.
- Ezra 7:6this Ezra came up from Babylon. He was a scribe skilled in the Law of Moses, which the LORD, the God of Israel, had given. The king had granted Ezra all his requests, for the hand of the LORD his God was upon him.
- Matt 27:37Above His head they posted the written charge against Him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS.
- Isa 32:1–2Behold, a king will reign in righteousness, and princes will rule with justice.
- Matt 12:35The good man brings good things out of his good store of treasure, and the evil man brings evil things out of his evil store of treasure.
- Ps 80:1For the choirmaster. To the tune of “The Lilies of the Covenant.” A Psalm of Asaph. Hear us, O Shepherd of Israel, who leads Joseph like a flock; You who sit enthroned between the cherubim, shine forth
- Ps 110:1–2A Psalm of David. The LORD said to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”
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Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
The Psalms are Christ's own prayer book and a gallery of his portraits — the suffering one of Psalm 22, the risen Lord of Psalm 16, the priest-king of Psalm 110, the Son to whom the nations are given.
How Psalms 45:1 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.