Matthew Henry Commentary Psalms 45

The psalmist's tongue was guided by the Spirit of God, just as the pen is by the hand of a ready writer. This psalm is touching the King Jesus, His kingdom, and His government. It is a shame that this good matter is not more the subject of our discussion.

There is more in Christ to engage our love than there is or can be in any creature. This world and its charms are ready to draw away our hearts from Christ; therefore, it is important for us to understand how much more worthy He is of our love. By His Word, His promise, and His gospel, the good will of God is made known to us, and the good work of God is begun and carried on in us.

The psalmist, in verses 3-5, joyfully foretells the progress and success of the Messiah. The arrows of conviction are very dreadful in the hearts of sinners, until they are humbled and reconciled; but the arrows of vengeance will be even more so to His enemies who refuse to submit. All who have seen His glory and tasted His grace rejoice to see Him, by His Word and Spirit, bring enemies and strangers under His dominion.

The throne of this almighty King is established forever. While the Holy Spirit leads Christ's people to look to his cross, he teaches them to see the evil of sin and the beauty of holiness, so that none of them can feel encouragement to continue in sin. The Mediator is God; otherwise, he would have been neither able to do the Mediator's work nor fit to wear the Mediator's crown. God the Father, as his God with respect to his human nature and mediatorial offices, has given him the Holy Spirit without measure.

Thus anointed to be a Prophet, Priest, and King, Christ has pre-eminence in the gladdening gifts and graces of the Spirit, and from his fullness communicates them to his brothers and sisters in human nature. The Spirit is called the oil of gladness because of the delight with which Christ was filled, in carrying on his undertakings. The salvation of sinners is the joy of angels, much more of the Son.

And in proportion as we are conformed to his holy image, we may expect the gladdening gifts and influences of the Comforter. The excellences of the Messiah, the suitableness of his offices, and the sufficiency of his grace seem to be intended by the fragrance of his garments. The church formed of true believers is here compared to the queen whom, by an everlasting covenant, the Lord Jesus has betrothed to himself.

This is the bride, the Lamb's wife, whose graces are compared to fine linen, for their purity; to gold, for their costliness: for just as we owe our redemption to the precious blood of the Son of God, so we also owe our adorning to it.

If we desire to share these blessings, we must listen to Christ's word. We must forget our carnal and sinful attachments and pursuits. He must be our Lord as well as our Savior; all idols must be thrown away, so that we may give him our whole heart. And here is good encouragement for breaking off from former alliances. The beauty of holiness, both in the church and in particular believers, is, in the sight of Christ, very precious and very lovely.

The work of grace is the workmanship of the Spirit; it is the image of Christ upon the soul, a partaking of the Divine nature. It is clear of all sin; there is none in it, nor does any come from it. There is nothing glorious in the old man or corrupt nature; but in the new man, or work of grace upon the soul, everything is glorious. The robe of Christ's righteousness, which he has worked out for his church, the Father imputes to her and bestows on her.

No one is brought to Christ except those whom the Father brings. This signifies the conversion of souls to him. The robe of righteousness and garments of salvation are the change of clothing Christ has put upon her. Those who firmly adhere to Christ, loving him in singleness of heart, are companions of the bride, who partake of the very same grace, enjoy the same privileges, and share in one common salvation. Every one of these shall be brought to the King; not one shall be lost or left behind.

Instead of the Old Testament church, there shall be a New Testament church, a Gentile church. In the believing hope of our everlasting happiness in the world to come, let us always maintain the remembrance of Christ as our only way there; and transmit the remembrance of him to succeeding generations, so that his name may endure forever.