Psalm 45 3

Psalm 45:3 kjv

Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty.

Psalm 45:3 nkjv

Gird Your sword upon Your thigh, O Mighty One, With Your glory and Your majesty.

Psalm 45:3 niv

Gird your sword on your side, you mighty one; clothe yourself with splendor and majesty.

Psalm 45:3 esv

Gird your sword on your thigh, O mighty one, in your splendor and majesty!

Psalm 45:3 nlt

Put on your sword, O mighty warrior!
You are so glorious, so majestic!

Psalm 45 verses

Psalm 45 3 Meaning

Psalm 45:3 is an acclamation and a divine summons for the royal King to prepare for action. It calls for Him to "Gird Your sword upon Your thigh, O Mighty One, Your glory and Your majesty." This verse pictures a majestic warrior King, adorned not only with splendor but also equipped with divine power and authority, poised for battle and the establishment of His righteous reign. While initially addressed to an earthly king, it ultimately and supremely points to the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who embodies both ultimate strength and magnificent glory. The sword signifies His authority, power, and capacity for righteous judgment and victory.

Psalm 45 3 Context

Psalm 45 is a "Maskil" (instruction or contemplative psalm), likely composed for a royal wedding, perhaps for a king of Judah. However, its language ascends far beyond any earthly monarch, pointing directly to a divine King and foreshadowing the Messiah. The preceding verses introduce the King as beautiful, gracious, and eternally blessed. Verse 3 marks a pivotal shift, transitioning from describing His regal splendor to a command for Him to manifest His might as a divine warrior. It places the King at the nexus of grace and power, prepared not only for a wedding but for the establishment of a righteous and universal kingdom. Historically, such royal psalms affirmed the divine appointment of the king, but this particular psalm pushes those boundaries into the realm of true divinity and eternity.

Psalm 45 3 Word analysis

• Gird (חֲגוֹר, ḥagōr): A verb in the imperative mood, meaning "bind on," "fasten," or "prepare by buckling a belt or sword around oneself." It signifies an urgent call to readiness and action, a preparedness for engagement, whether for battle or for a significant display of authority. This isn't a suggestion but a divine command or invocation for the King to manifest His power.
• Your sword (חֶרְבֶּךָ, ḥerbeḵā): Refers to a weapon of war and justice, a symbol of authority, power, judgment, and victory. In a Messianic context, this "sword" represents divine authority, the sharpness of His Word, the justice of His judgments, and His power to overcome all opposition. It signifies not merely a physical blade but the inherent might and swiftness of His decrees.
• upon Your thigh (עַל־יָרֵךְ, ‘al-yārēḵ): The thigh was considered a place of strength, fertility, and the location where a warrior's sword was habitually worn, indicating immediate readiness for battle. It highlights accessibility and promptness for action, indicating the King's active engagement and not just symbolic bearing of the sword. It is the posture of a prepared and formidable warrior.
• O Mighty One (גִּבּוֹר, gibôr): A powerful appellation meaning "strong," "hero," "warrior," "valiant one." It is a title frequently applied to God Himself (e.g., Jer 32:18, Isa 9:6 "Mighty God"). Its application to the King in this psalm elevates Him beyond ordinary royalty to a figure of divine, unparalleled power and heroism. It specifically points to the martial aspect of His Kingship, indicating one who triumphs.
• Your glory (הוֹדְךָ, hōdeḵā): This term refers to majesty, splendor, honor, or glory, often describing a brilliant and awesome manifestation. It denotes the outward radiance and awe-inspiring dignity inherent to the King. It speaks to His divine nature and inherent greatness that is outwardly displayed.
• and Your majesty (וַהֲדָרֶךָ, vahādāreḵā): Closely linked to "glory," הָדָר (hadar) signifies splendor, adornment, magnificence, beauty, or royal grandeur. It implies a captivating and impressive appearance, often associated with royalty and divinity. It emphasizes the King's inherent and breathtaking excellence.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "Gird Your sword upon Your thigh": This phrase functions as a direct command for active preparation for conflict. It is not a request for a defensive posture, but rather a readiness for offensive engagement, emphasizing the King's imminence for decisive action and the display of His power. It visually paints a picture of a King ready to conquer and establish justice.
• "O Mighty One, Your glory and Your majesty": This declaration identifies the King by His inherent divine attributes while commanding Him to reveal them through action. The title "Mighty One" defines His nature as a powerful warrior. "Your glory and Your majesty" are intrinsic to who He is, and the verse calls for these attributes to be made manifest through the "sword," demonstrating His absolute sovereignty and power. The command to 'gird' the sword implies a display of these inherent attributes in a tangible, powerful way.

Psalm 45 3 Bonus section

The imagery of the sword upon the thigh also implies not just a physical weapon but the inherent strength and truth of the King's word and person. In biblical thought, God's very being and declarations are effective and potent. This command within what is essentially a wedding psalm underscores the multifaceted nature of the Messianic King – He is both a magnificent bridegroom and an unstoppable warrior, whose love is accompanied by irresistible power, and whose reign is secured through decisive victory. The phrase also links to the biblical concept of one's loins or thigh being associated with progeny, subtly intertwining His martial prowess with the secure establishment of His everlasting dynasty.

Psalm 45 3 Commentary

Psalm 45:3 unveils the majestic identity of the King, who is simultaneously the "Mighty One" and embodies ultimate "glory and majesty." The command to "gird the sword upon Your thigh" is an immediate and powerful call to action, demanding the active display of divine authority, justice, and triumph. This sword is not one of earthly conflict for personal gain, but an instrument of righteous judgment, victory over evil, and the establishment of an eternal kingdom. While it had immediate application to an anointed king of Israel, its hyperbolic language unequivocally directs its ultimate fulfillment to Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah. It speaks of His glorious return as the conquering King who will come not as a Lamb led to slaughter, but as the Lion of Judah, fully equipped to execute justice, rule with righteousness, and visibly display His awe-inspiring glory and supreme majesty to all creation. This verse, therefore, powerfully anticipates Christ's second coming in power and great glory.