Psalm 45

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

SECOND VERSION (S.M.)

1        My heart inditing is

                   good matter in a song:

          I speak the things that I have made,

                   which to the King belong:

          My tongue shall be as quick,

                   his honour to indite,

          As is the pen of any scribe

                   that useth fast to write.

2        Thou'rt fairest of all men;

                   grace in thy lips doth flow:

          And therefore blessings evermore

                   on thee doth God bestow.

3        Thy sword gird on thy thigh,

                   thou that art most of might:

          Appear in dreadful majesty,

                   and in thy glory bright.

4        For meekness, truth, and right,

                   ride prosp'rously in state;

          And thy right hand shall teach to thee

                   things terrible and great.

5        Thy shafts shall pierce their hearts

                   that foes are to the King;

          Whereby into subjection

                   the people thou shalt bring.

6        Thy royal seat, O Lord,

                   for ever shall remain:

          The sceptre of thy kingdom doth

                   all righteousness maintain.

7        Thou lov'st right, and hat'st ill;

                   for God, thy God, most high,

          Above thy fellows hath with th' oil

                   of joy anointed thee.

8        Of myrrh and spices sweet

                   a smell thy garments had,

          Out of the iv'ry palaces,

                   whereby they made thee glad.

9        And in thy glorious train

                   kings' daughters waiting stand;

          And thy fair queen, in Ophir gold,

                   doth stand at thy right hand.

10      O daughter, take good heed,

                   incline, and give good ear;

          Thou must forget thy kindred all,

                   and father's house most dear.

11      Thy beauty to the King

                   shall then delightful be:

          And do thou humbly worship him,

                   because thy Lord is he.

12      The daughter then of Tyre

                   there with a gift shall be,

          And all the wealthy of the land

                   shall make their suit to thee.

13      The daughter of the King

                   all glorious is within;

          And with embroideries of gold

                   her garments wrought have been.

14      She cometh to the King

                   in robes with needle wrought;

          The virgins that do follow her

                   shall unto thee be brought.

15      They shall be brought with joy,

                   and mirth on ev'ry side,

          Into the palace of the King,

                   and there they shall abide.

16      And in thy fathers' stead,

                   thy children thou may'st take,

          And in all places of the earth

                   them noble princes make.

17      I will shew forth thy name

                   to generations all:

          Therefore the people evermore

                   to thee give praises shall.