Psalm 45:9-17 The Patriotism of the Church (Part 2 of 2)

Yesterday, we re-read psalm 45:1-8 with a messianic perspective. When we re-read these verses with an understanding that Jesus is the true king, it opened our eyes and our hearts to worship our King along with the psalmist. Today, we will finish our study of this psalm by reading the second half with that same perspective. If Jesus is the King, then the church is His queen. What does this psalm say about the church?

Please read Psalm 45:9-17, with an understanding that Jesus is the King and the church is the Queen.

To serve in the courts of kings was a great honor. Kings would typically choose the most worthy subjects, the most beautiful, the most intelligent specimens to serve in his courts. He would then show them off to every visitor as an example of his greatness.

This couldn’t be further from the truth with King Jesus. Our King did not choose the daughters of kings to serve in His courts. He chose the vilest sinners, the worst of the worst, the desperately wicked to join Him in His throne-room.

Incredible sinners such as I have been welcomed into the throne-room of the King for the same purpose as the earthly kings. Jesus wants to show us off! Not because we are so worthy of honor and praise, but because Jesus has died to pay the price for our sin debt. Jesus has covered us with His blood, and when others look at us, they see sinners saved by grace! We are not decorating the throne-room of the King to show how praiseworthy the King’s subjects are; we are there to show how gracious and loving and praiseworthy the King is--that He would save subjects so unworthy as us!

While we may be the ladies of honor (which feels weird to write as a man, but it goes with the metaphor), the queen who is being addressed is the Church as a whole. This is obviously not talking about a building, but the believers who comprise the church. Since we as Christians make up the church, we can apply the instructions in verses 10-15 to us.

As believers in Jesus Christ and members of His church, we must forget our past, and keep our focus on our King. If we would simply submit to Jesus Christ as our Lord, then He will shower us with more gifts than all the finest merchants can buy. Our King will wash us in the righteousness of His blood and make us clean. He will then clothe us with a new garment, the finest white garment of purity, with golden crowns upon our heads. We will receive blessing upon blessing as we are welcomed into the presence of the King. With joy and gladness we will enter into His presence!

As we enter into the King’s presence, we will sing along with the psalmist about His greatness. Jesus will not have sons and daughters, like an earthly king needs to carry on his legacy. Instead, Jesus will have brothers and sisters in Christ. He will one day elevate us as princes in all the earth, and we will respond by worshipping Him, causing His name to be remembered in all generations, and urging the nations to praise Jesus Christ forever and ever. Amen.