The psalm is a meditation about a royal wedding, or a poem or song written for a king’s wedding. It goes beyond the wedding of an earthly king as we can see from verse 6 which says that the King’s reign is eternal. Moreover, this King is both God and man.
The theme of eternity also occurs in verse 2 where the author says that the King has been blessed by God forever. This is a description of the Messiah. In verses 3-5, he is described as about to go into battle. When we think about Jesus, he went forth with the gospel in an increased manner after his exaltation. Therefore, the reference to his beauty in verse 2 refers to his glorification when he received the Holy Spirit who would express powerfully the gracious truths that the Saviour would declare.
The sword and the arrows that are used in the battle is the gospel and its promises. Jesus will be victorious and many of his enemies will submit to him. The goal is to have a kingdom marked by truth, gentleness and holy living (vv. 4-5), a kingdom that will last forever (v. 6).
The glory of the King is described through the various items of splendour that marked royalty at that time in history, such as oils, robes and music. He is praised for his deity, for the endlessness of his reign, and for his holy character. Since that is the case, the Father has anointed him with a larger degree of oil, an oil that is shared by the King’s companions. The oil depicts the Holy Spirit, and the Spirit is said to be marked by joy. What makes him joyful is his involvement in the provision of salvation, whether at its onset in a person’s life or in other ways subsequent to that wonderful moment. The consequence of having received this oil (the Holy Spirit) is that all aspects of the Messiah’s glory (his robes) are very fragrant (vv. 6-7). His residence (the ivory palaces) is full of happiness (the music) and his retinue (the queen and the ladies of honour) is august. Heaven is marked by joy and inhabited by exalted persons who serve the king.
The bride is spoken to in verse 10. She has already consented to the marriage and ahead of her is a very different life. The glory to come is a place where current life on earth is forgotten. It is a place where the King focuses on his bride and where she serves him as her Lord (vv. 10-11). She will have the best of privileges (illustrated by the gifts from Tyre) and her attire is the best available (perfect holiness), provided by her King. The meeting with the King for the ceremony is anticipated with great delight (vv. 12-15).
The imagery changes to the royal family ruling on behalf of the King throughout the earth (v. 16). Since he reigns forever, they will as well. The author decides to make his contribution, which he has fulfilled by providing us with this song, a song that will utilised everywhere people meditate on and think about the King (v. 17).
It is amazing to see the grasp this author had of the Messiah. He knew that the Messiah would be God and man, and he was also aware that there is more than one divine person in the Godhead. He understood that the Messiah would have a worldwide kingdom over which his seed would reign.
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