In the unfolding history of humankind, where empires have emerged and then vanished, and where ethical principles have often proved unstable, there remains an enduring longing for that which is permanent and eternal. In this profound search for immutable truth, we encounter the divine words of Psalm 45, a hymn to a King whose reign transcends the transient boundaries of earthly dominions.
Psalm 45 is not merely a song of celebration but a theological affirmation of a King who possesses divine attributes. The depiction of the king in this Psalm serves as a typology of Christ, portraying a rule characterized by righteousness. The statement, "The scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom" (Psalm 45:6), articulates a central doctrine that reverberates through the totality of Scripture.
The king's portrayal as one filled with grace, victorious in truth, and eternally enthroned, points to a higher reality. This symbolism of the righteous king finds its fulfillment in Christ, whose rule is imbued with perfect justice and divine love. The echo of this Psalm in Hebrews 1:8 affirms the Christological interpretation and forms a theological bridge between the Old Testament covenant and New Testament revelation.
The doctrine of divine righteousness is not an abstract concept—it is integral to the very nature of God and His covenant relationship with His creation. This righteousness motivated the sending of Christ to atone for humanity, an act of love that reconciles the chasm between the holiness of God and the sinfulness of mankind.
The only appropriate response to this unparalleled act of love must be one of reverence and awe, prostrating ourselves before Him on His throne, with absolute worship that is grounded in the biblical doctrines of grace and divine sovereignty. In a world where the natural man believes himself to be the center of his own universe, the eternal truths of this Psalm provide a corrective, calling the believer to align with the transcendent and eternal attributes of God.
The contemporary church must respond to this call by embodying a theology that aligns with the unchanging nature of God. It must stand as a witness to truth in a relativistic world, reflecting the righteous rule of Christ, the divine King portrayed in Psalm 45.
In contemplating these truths, we are drawn to anchor in the eternal King of Glory, to find direction in the righteousness of Christ, and to rejoice in the love that was ultimately fulfilled in God's redemptive act on the cross.
Yes and Amen! There was a time when American patriots rallied themselves with the cry, "No king but King Jesus!" Divine kingship was recognized as a foundational truth, while at the same time, individual liberty was advanced against earthly tyranny. Today's motto might as well be Huey Long's, "Every man a king," because the atomistic philosophies of Nietzsche, Marx and the rot that goes under the name of "critical theory," all rejected God and replaced Him with man. We saw from the beginning what such a belief did when Adam and Eve broke God's one and only rule in Eden because the lure of becoming "god" was in their heart. That original sin is the stain that has pervaded humanity ever since and brings to ruin everyone who falls under its siren spell. It is well to remember that one day, every knee shall bow and every tongue confess the Kingship of Jesus, although some will do so resentfully while suffering eternal pangs of hell, while others will do so joyfully among the fellowship of like believers under the rule of The Perfect King. The only question is to which group you want to belong. As the ancient knight who guarded the Grail in that famous Spielberg movie said, "Choose wisely."
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