(A special psalm by the clan of Korah and for the music leader. To the tune “Lilies.” A love song.)
For a Royal Wedding
1 My thoughts are filled
with beautiful words
for the king,
and I will use my voice
as a writer would use
pen and ink.
2 No one is as handsome as you!
Your words are always kind.
That is why God
will always bless you.
3 Mighty king, glorious ruler,
strap on your sword
4 and ride out in splendor!
Win victories for truth
and mercy and justice.
Do fearsome things
with your powerful arm.
5 Send your sharp arrows
through enemy hearts
and make all nations fall
at your feet.
6 You are God, and you will rule
forever as king.
Your royal power
brings about justice.
7 You love justice and hate evil.
And so, your God chose you
and made you happier
than any of your friends.
8 The sweet aroma of the spices
myrrh, aloes, and cassia
covers your royal robes.
You enjoy the music of harps
in palaces decorated
with ivory.
9 Daughters of kings are here,
and your bride stands
at your right side,
wearing a wedding gown
trimmed with pure gold.
10 Bride of the king,
listen carefully to me.
Forget your own people
and your father's family. 11 The king adores you.
He is your master,
so do what he desires.
12 All of the richest people
from the city of Tyre
will try to influence you
13 with precious treasures.
Your bride, my king,
has inward beauty,
and her wedding gown is woven
with threads of gold.
14 Wearing the finest garments,
she is brought to you,
followed by her young friends,
the bridesmaids.
15 Everyone is excited,
as they follow you
to the royal palace.
16 Your sons and your grandsons
will also be kings
as your ancestors were.
You will make them rulers
everywhere on earth.
17 I will make your name famous
from now on,
and you will be praised
forever and ever.
1 To him that excelleth on Shoshannim a song of love to give instruction, committed to the sonnes of Korah. Mine heart will vtter forth a good matter: I wil intreat in my workes of the King: my tongue is as the pen of a swift writer. 2 Thou art fayrer then the children of men: grace is powred in thy lips, because God hath blessed thee for euer. 3 Gird thy sword vpon thy thigh, O most mightie, to wit, thy worship and thy glory, 4 And prosper with thy glory: ride vpon the worde of trueth and of meekenes and of righteousnes: so thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things. 5 Thine arrowes are sharpe to pearce the heart of the Kings enemies: therefore the people shall fall vnder thee. 6 Thy throne, O God, is for euer and euer: the scepter of thy kingdome is a scepter of righteousnesse. 7 Thou louest righteousnes, and hatest wickednesse, because God, euen thy God hath anoynted thee with the oyle of gladnes aboue thy fellowes. 8 All thy garments smelll of myrrhe and aloes, and cassia, when thou commest out of the yuorie palaces, where they haue made thee glad. 9 Kings daugthers were among thine honorable wiues: vpon thy right hand did stand the Queene in a vesture of golde of Ophir. 10 Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine eare: forget also thine owne people and thy fathers house. 11 So shall the King haue pleasure in thy beautie: for he is thy Lord, and reuerence thou him. 12 And the daughter of Tyrus with the rich of the people shall doe homage before thy face with presents. 13 The Kings daughter is all glorious within: her clothing is of broydred golde. 14 She shalbe brought vnto the King in raiment of needle worke: the virgins that follow after her, and her companions shall be brought vnto thee. 15 With ioy and gladnes shall they be brought, and shall enter into the Kings palace. 16 In steade of thy fathers shall thy children be: thou shalt make them princes through all the earth. 17 I will make thy Name to be remembred through all generations: therefore shall the people giue thanks vnto thee world without ende.