Psalm 45:9 kjv
Kings' daughters were among thy honourable women: upon thy right hand did stand the queen in gold of Ophir.
Psalm 45:9 nkjv
Kings' daughters are among Your honorable women; At Your right hand stands the queen in gold from Ophir.
Psalm 45:9 niv
Daughters of kings are among your honored women; at your right hand is the royal bride in gold of Ophir.
Psalm 45:9 esv
daughters of kings are among your ladies of honor; at your right hand stands the queen in gold of Ophir.
Psalm 45:9 nlt
Kings' daughters are among your noble women.
At your right side stands the queen,
wearing jewelry of finest gold from Ophir!
Psalm 45 9 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ps 2:6 | "Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion." | God's chosen King's divine authority |
| Ps 110:1 | "The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand..." | Christ's exaltation to the place of ultimate power |
| 1 Ki 9:28 | "...they came to Ophir, and fetched from thence gold..." | Source of fine gold for royal splendor |
| 1 Ki 10:11 | "And the navy also of Hiram, that brought gold from Ophir..." | Ophir gold, a mark of unmatched quality |
| Song 3:11 | "Go forth, O ye daughters of Zion, and behold king Solomon..." | Royal splendor and attendance at a king's wedding |
| Isa 49:23 | "And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens..." | Nations/rulers serving and honoring Zion/Church |
| Isa 60:3 | "And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings..." | Nations' glory coming to Zion (the Church) |
| Isa 60:11 | "...their kings shall be brought. For the nation..." | Kings paying homage to God's people |
| Isa 62:4-5 | "For as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy..." | God's delight in His people as a groom for bride |
| Mal 3:17 | "And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day..." | God's people as His "jewels" or "precious ones" |
| Eph 5:25-27 | "Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it... a glorious church..." | Christ's sacrificial love for His glorious bride (Church) |
| Eph 5:31-32 | "For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother... this is a great mystery concerning Christ and the church." | Marriage as a picture of Christ and the Church |
| 2 Cor 11:2 | "For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you..." | Church presented as a pure bride to Christ |
| Col 1:18 | "And he is the head of the body, the church..." | Christ's headship over the Church |
| Rev 19:7-8 | "The marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted..." | The Marriage Supper of the Lamb; Church prepared |
| Rev 21:2 | "And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down... as a bride adorned for her husband." | New Jerusalem, the Church, as a beautiful bride |
| Rev 21:18 | "And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold..." | City of God (New Jerusalem) adorned with pure gold |
| Rev 21:24 | "And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory..." | Kings bringing glory to the New Jerusalem |
| Pss 16:11 | "Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore." | Presence and joy at God's right hand |
| Mk 16:19 | "So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God." | Jesus' ascension and exaltation to God's right hand |
| Acts 7:55-56 | "But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God..." | Stephen's vision of Jesus' exalted position |
Psalm 45 verses
Psalm 45 9 Meaning
Psalm 45:9 describes the opulent and honorable setting surrounding the King. It illustrates his immense prestige and dominion by noting the presence of kings' daughters among his court, signifying his widespread influence and revered status. Crucially, it highlights the Queen (his bride) standing prominently at his right hand, adorned with the finest gold of Ophir. This signifies her unparalleled honor, exalted position, and radiant glory, intimately sharing in the King's splendor and authority. The verse portrays a scene of magnificent royal power, grace, and blessed union.
Psalm 45 9 Context
Psalm 45 is uniquely described in its superscription as a "Maschil of the sons of Korah, a Song of loves" (or "a song of excellencies"). It is fundamentally a royal wedding song, originally composed for a historical Israelite king's marriage. However, its language ascends far beyond that of a mere earthly monarch, pointing decisively to the Messiah, Jesus Christ. The preceding verses (vv. 1-8) praise the king's incomparable beauty, divine blessing, valor, righteous reign, and eternal throne, attributing characteristics that find their full realization only in Christ. Verse 9 shifts attention to the splendid array surrounding the King and, in particular, the esteemed position of his bride. Within this psalm, the bride is universally understood by Christian tradition to represent the Church, which is prepared for union with Christ, her heavenly Bridegroom. This verse specifically introduces the grandeur and honor associated with the King's consort and court.
Psalm 45 9 Word analysis
- Kings' daughters (בְּנוֹת מְלָכִים, bĕnoth mĕlākim):
- Word-level: "Daughters of kings." The plural "kings" indicates broad influence and dominion, signifying rulers from various nations or kingdoms. These are not common women but those born into supreme power and prestige.
- Significance: Their presence among the King's court underscores his unparalleled stature and dominion. It demonstrates nations (represented by their royal daughters) recognizing his authority, seeking his favor, or offering allegiance through honor. In a messianic sense, it foreshadows the worship and service that earthly rulers and nations will eventually render to Christ, the King of kings (Rev 21:24).
- honorable women (יִקּרוֹתֶיךָ, yiqrotēka):
- Word-level: From the root יָקָר (yaqar), meaning "precious," "costly," "esteemed," or "honored." This is not a common word for "women" but denotes those of highest esteem, preciousness, or noble rank.
- Significance: These are not merely handmaidens but ladies of elevated status, perhaps members of his royal court or accompanying the "kings' daughters." Their designation as "honorable" amplifies the grandeur and distinction of the King's retinue and reflects his own inherent worth. It suggests the magnetic pull of his glory attracting all that is noble and excellent.
- upon thy right hand (עַל יְמִינֶךָ, ʿal yĕmīnēka):
- Word-level: "On your right." In ancient Near Eastern culture, the "right hand" consistently signified the place of utmost honor, authority, strength, and favor. It was reserved for the most privileged person, often the second in command or the principal guest.
- Significance: For the Queen to stand at the King's right hand conveys her supreme dignity, pre-eminence among all women, and intimate partnership in his reign and glory. This position, often linked with power in the biblical narrative (Ps 110:1, Matt 26:64), emphasizes the Messianic King's ultimate authority and the profound privilege bestowed upon His Queen (the Church). It also reflects Christ's own position at the right hand of God (Mk 16:19).
- the queen (שֵׁגַל, šēgāl):
- Word-level: This specific Hebrew term refers to the royal consort or wife of the king, often of elevated rank. It distinguishes her from other women in the king's harem.
- Significance: She is not merely a wife but "the Queen," emphasizing her singular role and status as the king's bride and principal consort. In the messianic interpretation, this clearly points to the Church as the unique and beloved bride of Christ, sharing in His royal status and dignity (Eph 5:25-32, Rev 19:7-8). Her presence in this exalted position is pivotal to the psalm's unfolding narrative of royal marriage.
- in gold of Ophir (בְּכֶתֶם אוֹפִיר, bĕkĕtäm ʾÔfîr):
- Word-level: "With gold, Ophir's." "Ophir" was a legendary land known in biblical times for producing the finest and purest gold (1 Ki 9:28, 1 Ki 10:11). "Kethem" refers to pure or refined gold, often translated as "finest gold."
- Significance: This detail accentuates the Queen's unparalleled beauty, wealth, and radiance. Her adornment is not merely rich but consists of the absolute highest quality and most precious substance known, signifying her extraordinary value and the immense honor and favor bestowed upon her by the King. This is a powerful metaphor for the glory, purity, and spiritual splendor (righteousness and good deeds) with which Christ adorns His Church (Rev 19:8).
Words-group Analysis
- Kings' daughters were among thy honorable women: This phrase establishes the extensive reach of the King's renown and the reverence accorded to him by foreign powers. It depicts his court as a hub of international nobility, a testament to his sovereignty and magnetism. It is not about his dominion over these daughters as much as their voluntary participation in the honor of his court.
- upon thy right hand did stand the queen: This highlights the exclusive and elevated status of the Queen. While others attend, she holds the most privileged position, indicating intimacy, shared authority, and a special union. It positions her as the primary focus and partner of the King, emphasizing her significance.
- the queen in gold of Ophir: This depicts the ultimate standard of beauty, purity, and magnificence associated with the King's bride. The imagery evokes not only material wealth but also intrinsic worth and spiritual perfection. This resplendent adornment symbolizes the glory and righteousness bestowed upon the Church by Christ, making her perfectly suitable and beautiful for her King.
Psalm 45 9 Bonus section
- Polemic against earthly monarchs: The unparalleled descriptions of this King and his court, particularly the extent of his dominion and the eternal nature implied earlier in the psalm, subtly elevate Him above typical ancient Near Eastern kings whose reigns were limited and often founded on conquest rather than pure righteousness. The very fine gold symbolizes something divine and incorruptible, contrasting with perishable earthly wealth.
- Esoteric Significance: The queen's adornment in gold of Ophir can also be seen symbolically. Just as gold undergoes purification, the Church (the Queen) undergoes refinement through Christ's work and the Holy Spirit, making her pure and spotless for her Bridegroom. This is spiritual beautification.
- Ancient Near Eastern Context: Royal weddings in the ancient world were major diplomatic events, often involving the presentation of queens or princesses from various nations to solidify alliances or honor powerful rulers. This verse may allude to such practices, but elevates them to a spiritual plane where the "kings' daughters" come in homage not through political necessity but compelled by the King's inherent majesty.
- Ethical Application: As the Church is depicted as the beautiful and honorable Queen adorned by Christ, believers are called to live lives that reflect this spiritual purity and honor. Our "adornment" is not merely external but primarily "the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight" (1 Pet 3:4) and the righteous deeds that accompany faith (Rev 19:8).
Psalm 45 9 Commentary
Psalm 45:9 unveils the splendor of the Messianic King's court and, particularly, the unparalleled dignity of His bride, the Queen. The presence of royal daughters among the King's esteemed ladies-in-waiting illustrates the widespread respect and honor accorded to the King, signifying His global sovereignty and magnetic glory. This visual immediately broadens the scope of the King's influence far beyond mere earthly boundaries, pointing towards His universal dominion. Most poignantly, the verse focuses on the Queen, positioned at the King's right hand—the ultimate place of honor, power, and intimate fellowship. Her attire, specified as "gold of Ophir," conveys supreme purity, immeasurable value, and divine splendor. This entire scene prophetically illustrates Christ, the Heavenly King, whose ultimate majesty draws all honor. His bride, the Church, is shown in perfect communion with Him, adorned with His righteousness and glory, sharing in His eternal reign and authority. It is a profound picture of Christ's love for His Church, presenting her in magnificent array, perfectly beautiful in His sight.