Psalm 45—How Pleasing Themes Emerge During Loss

“My heart overflows with a pleasing theme; I address my verses to the king; my tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe.” Psalm 45:1

Loss—or the depths of any pain—magnify the heights of God’s amazing goodness. When the bottom drops out and you land on a solid foundation you overflow with praise. Praise, felt deep in your soul, erupts from your lips or from your pen. You don’t praise the guy on the street. You don’t turn and praise a spouse or a friend. You don’t praise your pastor. Instead, your heart overflows in praise to God, the King.

I know this: My tongue became a pen, and I was a ready writer! God met me in the depths.

“When all around my soul gives way, He then is all my hope and stay.” Edward Mote, “My Hope is Built on Nothing Less”

When every other reason for survival is gone, it’s obvious he is our Savior. He is our hope and not we ourselves. He is our foundation alone. And such truth forces us to open our mouths to record lyrics of love to our king.

“In your majesty ride out victoriously for the cause of truth and meekness and righteousness; let your right hand teach you awesome deeds!” Psalm 45:4

We echo our agreement by singing of his majesty and victory. We string lines together in celebration. His arrows are sharp, and the peoples fall as victims to the king. His unending throne reveals uprightness, righteousness, and a hatred for all things wicked. Our praise echoes our agreement that God has anointed with the oil of gladness. His robes are perfumed with the best fragrances.

A love song for a bride looks to a time to come. Listen, church, for the Lord sees beauty in you. Bow to your Lord. The glorious church is like a princess in her chamber in a robe woven with gold. Dressed—forgiven—she is presented to her king in beautiful many-colored robes.

“With joy and gladness they are led along as they enter the palace of the king.” Psalm 45:16

No wonder the psalmist’s tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe. His heart overflows as the marriage to the Messiah is revealed. He witnesses a pleasing theme. Redemption and relationship made plain! His poetic utterances are delivered to the king.

Prophecies are coming true!

“And I will have mercy on No Mercy, and I will say to Not My People, ‘You are my people;’ and he shall say, ‘You are my God.’” Hosea 2:23

As it was stated in the New Testament, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy” (1 Peter 2:9-10). The price has been paid to purchase mankind from every language, people, tribe, and nation as his bride.

How could your tongue not be a ready pen to capture the lyrics flowing from your heart?

“I will cause your name to be remembered in all generations; therefore nations will praise you forever and ever.” Psalm 44:17