Christ, the Royal Groom

Sermon 10 in Series

Psalm 45

[1] My heart overflows with a pleasing theme;
I address my verses to the king;
my tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe.

[2] You are the most handsome of the sons of men;
grace is poured upon your lips;
therefore God has blessed you forever.
[3] Gird your sword on your thigh, O mighty one,
in your splendor and majesty!

[4] In your majesty ride out victoriously
for the cause of truth and meekness and righteousness;
let your right hand teach you awesome deeds!
[5] Your arrows are sharp
in the heart of the king’s enemies;
the peoples fall under you.

[6] Your throne, O God, is forever and ever.
The scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of uprightness;
[7] you have loved righteousness and hated wickedness.
Therefore God, your God, has anointed you
with the oil of gladness beyond your companions;
[8] your robes are all fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia.
From ivory palaces stringed instruments make you glad;
[9] daughters of kings are among your ladies of honor;
at your right hand stands the queen in gold of Ophir.

[10] Hear, O daughter, and consider, and incline your ear:
forget your people and your father’s house,
[11] and the king will desire your beauty.
Since he is your lord, bow to him.
[12] The people of Tyre will seek your favor with gifts,
the richest of the people.

[13] All glorious is the princess in her chamber, with robes interwoven with gold.
[14] In many-colored robes she is led to the king,
with her virgin companions following behind her.
[15] With joy and gladness they are led along
as they enter the palace of the king.

[16] In place of your fathers shall be your sons;
you will make them princes in all the earth.
[17] I will cause your name to be remembered in all generations;
therefore nations will praise you forever and ever. (ESV)

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.  What does it mean to say that what you think about Jesus is actually the most significant contributor to how you live your life?
2.  What does the psalmist set out to do in Psalm 45? How might this be an answer to the longings of Psalms 42-44?
3.  What are the various ways the psalmist presents the king/groom as unique in these verses? What does the author of Hebrews have to say about this king?
4.  What is the charge given to the bride and why does it matter that she has been listening to the praise of the king (v.9)?
5.  How does Psalm 45 anticipate the end of all things? What does it mean (both corporately and individually) that Christ is currently preparing his bride?
6.  What is the paradoxical relationship between Christ beauty and his humiliation? How does this get to the core of the gospel?

References:  1 John 2:23; 2 Corinthians 4:4-6; Psalm 42-44; Psalm 2; Revelation 19:15; Hebrews 1; Hebrews 1:7-8; 2 Samuel 7:13, 16; Isaiah 61:3; Luke 4:18-19; Song of Songs 4:4; John 19:24; Luke 14:33; Revelation 19:6-9; Philippians 3:8-9; John 3:14