An Anointing of Joy

 

To the choirmaster: according to Lilies. A Maskil of the Sons of Korah; a love song. My heart overflows with a pleasing theme; I address my verses to the king; my tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe. You are the most handsome of the sons of men; grace is poured upon your lips; therefore God has blessed you forever. Gird your sword on your thigh, O mighty one, in your splendor and majesty! In your majesty ride out victoriously for the cause of truth and meekness and righteousness; let your right hand teach you awesome deeds! Your arrows are sharp in the heart of the king’s enemies; the peoples fall under you. Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. The scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of uprightness; you have loved righteousness and hated wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions; your robes are all fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia. (Psalm 45:1-8 ESV).

 

This psalm has been called a king’s wedding song. It brims with royal pageantry and wedding imagery. The bridegroom here is a king of God’s people preparing to marry the one he loves. This psalm was probably used at many royal weddings in ancient Israel. Later in Israel’s history this psalm came to be seen as a picture of the promised Messiah-King, who would come to deliver and unite with God’s people. And in the New Testament God’s people recognize Jesus as the Messiah-Savior and see the church (God’s people) as his bride, based on teachings about a wedding feast in the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 22:2; 25:1; Revelation 19:7; 21:2).

 

The psalmist talks about being anointed with “the oil of joy.” The joy we have in Christ as our Savior can be with us always. And yet we are often distracted by worries and troubles in this world, forgetting the amazing blessings and potential we have as Christ’s anointed ones.

 

Don’t miss the application here. Weddings are joyous events. So even as we deal realistically with the struggles of this world—just as Jesus does—we can look forward to full life with him in the kingdom of God. Everyday is a day of reminder that we are the bride of the King of the Ages. So often we forget this great joy that is eternally ours in Christ. Let this penetrate your heart breaking through the fog of your circumstances. Rejoice!