Part I – The Throne Room and Its King
Most Christian women are familiar with Psalm 45:13, “The king’s daughter is all glorious within: her clothing is of wrought gold.” It has been one of my personal favorites for a long time, and serves as a constant reminder that our inner person is to be the most beautiful part. It is to be “all glorious”. But then I started studying for my lesson for our church’s annual ladies’ event, and I found a surprise waiting. All of these years I have read it that way and assumed it meant just exactly that, but as I read it over and over again, I realized that the standard, frequently taught meaning of this verse does not fit the context. I was horrified. I mean, Come on! Everyone knows that Psalm 45:13 means we are supposed to be beautiful on the inside because we are the King’s daughters, so how could I teach anything else. But truth and Scriptural accuracy are far more important than accepted, and even commonly taught, opinion. The analogy is certainly there, but the context of the verse is speaking of the King and His throne room. A little study brings out that the King’s daughter is its finest ornament.
The word translated “within” is used 14 times in the Old Testament. Every single time it is referring to the interior of some place or structure. Disappointed? Don’t be. The idea behind the word is that the King’s daughter is situated, as a queen, on her throne, directly in front of the door so that she, in all her beauty, is the first thing you see as you enter the royal chamber. She is a beautiful, praise worthy addition to the King’s place of judgment. (1) So, with that in mind, let us turn to the throne room and its King.
Imagine the scene: A beautiful throne room decked in gold and ivory, woods of the finest nature, fabrics of the richest kind. Scroll work, carvings – no matter how vivid your imagination you cannot out-imagine the beauty and majesty of that room for it is the throne of THE KING, the King of kings and Lord of lords.
There He sits, a king that is more beautiful (“fairer”) than the children of men, who speaks graciously; who wears His sword with true glory and honor. His success is not from tyranny and corruption, there is no need for such things, for He rides prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness. He is an exceptional warrior, a righteous king, who despises wickedness. His garments smell of myrrh and aloes and cassia. (Myrrh is that precious spice which was used in the anointing ointment for sanctifying the tabernacle, and was to be made for no other purpose. The aloes were used in perfumes and used to describe the blessings upon Israel. Cassia was a sweet spice similar to cinnamon. This may seem unimportant now, but do not forget the myrrh.)
We know this mighty king to be Jesus. This psalm and the pictures that it draws of our Lord are repeated, referenced and quoted over and over throughout Scripture:
“GRACE IS POURED INTO THY LIPS” – Ps. 45:2
– “And all bare Him witness, and wondered at the GRACIOUS WORDS WHICH PROCEEDED OUT OF HIS MOUTH. And they said, Is not this Joseph’s son?” – Luke 4:22
“GIRD THY SWORD UPON THY THIGH, O MOST MIGHTY, WITH THY GLORY AND THY MAJESTY” – Ps. 45:3
– “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” – Hebrews 4:12
– “And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.” – Revelation 1:16
– “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6
– “To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.” Jude 25
“THY THRONE, O GOD, IS FOREVER AND EVER: THE SCEPTER OF THY KINGDOM IS A RIGHT SCEPTER. THOU LOVEST RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND HATEST WICKEDNESS: THEREFORE GOD, THY GOD HATH ANOINTED THEE WITH THE OIL OF GLADNESS ABOVE THY FELLOWS.” – Ps 45: 6,7
– “But unto the Son He saith, Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever: a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of thy kingdom. Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.” Hebrews 1:8,9
There are many more examples, but time and space do not allow for a perusal of them all. Is it any wonder, in light of all this, that Psalm 24 calls Him the King of Glory five times?! Truly He is a glorious King and His court is glorious.
Many honorable women stand about the court, but there is one who stands above the rest. She is the very first thing that draws your eye as you enter this room of immense beauty. And it is only the glory of the King himself that ever draws your gaze away. Who is she? She is the King’s daughter. But she was not always His, so who is she really? And how did she come to be here, and how did she become so beautiful? Will it always be this way? Will they “live happily ever after”?
That is for the next post….
Footnotes:
1. Blue Letter Bible. “Dictionary and Word Search for pĕniymah (Strong’s 6441)”. Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2011. 16 May 2011. < http:// www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?
Strongs=H6441&t=KJV >
