Psalm 45

To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim, for the sons of Korah, Maschil, A Song of loves.

FIRST VERSION (C.M.)

1        My heart brings forth a goodly thing;

                   my words that I indite

          Concern the King: my tongue's a pen

                   of one that swift doth write.

2        Thou fairer art than sons of men:

                   into thy lips is store

          Of grace infus'd; God therefore thee

                   hath bless'd for evermore.

3        O thou that art the mighty One,

                   thy sword gird on thy thigh;

          Ev'n with thy glory excellent,

                   and with thy majesty.

4        For meekness, truth, and righteousness,

                   in state ride prosp'rously;

          And thy right hand shall thee instruct

                   in things that fearful be.

5        Thine arrows sharply pierce the heart

                   of th' en'mies of the King;

          And under thy subjection

                   the people down do bring.

6        For ever and for ever is,

                   O God, thy throne of might;

          The sceptre of thy kingdom is

                   a sceptre that is right.

7        Thou lovest right, and hatest ill;

                   for God, thy God, most high,

          Above thy fellows hath with th' oil

                   of joy anointed thee.

8        Of aloes, myrrh, and cassia,

                   a smell thy garments had,

          Out of the iv'ry palaces,

                   whereby they made thee glad.

9        Among thy women honourable

                   kings' daughters were at hand:

          Upon thy right hand did the queen

                   in gold of Ophir stand.

10      O daughter, hearken and regard,

                   and do thine ear incline;

          Likewise forget thy father's house,

                   and people that are thine.

11      Then of the King desir'd shall be

                   thy beauty veh'mently:

          Because he is thy Lord, do thou

                   him worship rev'rently.

12      The daughter there of Tyre shall be

                   with gifts and off'rings great:

          Those of the people that are rich

                   thy favour shall entreat.

13      Behold, the daughter of the King

                   all glorious is within;

          And with embroideries of gold

                   her garments wrought have been.

14      She shall be brought unto the King

                   in robes with needle wrought;

          Her fellow-virgins following

                   shall unto thee be brought.

15      They shall be brought with gladness great,

                   and mirth on ev'ry side,

          Into the palace of the King,

                   and there they shall abide.

16      Instead of those thy fathers dear,

                   thy children thou may'st take,

          And in all places of the earth

                   them noble princes make.

17      Thy name remember'd I will make

                   through ages all to be:

          The people therefore evermore

                   shall praises give to thee.