Dr. Couch, is Psalm 45 messianic?
ANSWER: Yes, everyone agrees that it is, even the Jewish Rabbis. However, they say little about some of the principle verses in the chapter. Especially interesting is verse 16 where it says "In place of your fathers will be your sons; you shall make them princes in all the earth." In other words if the King in the passage is the Messiah, His fathers of old will become His sons! This reminds us of Psalm 110:1 where David's "Lord says to his Lord ..." Christ claims this Psalm 110:1 as referring to Him. It is a twist that caused a great consternation to the Jews. How could a Son of David be David's Lord?
The great old Calvinist scholar John Gill agrees that Psalm 45:16 has the same twist as in Psalm 110:1 and is definitely messianic. In the Kingdom, when the earthly fathers of the Messiah are resurrected, they will become the spiritual sons of the Messiah! There is one problem in Psalm 45, and that is the "daughters" of the King. Most believe these are the Jewish people, the nation of Israel, who will be like daughters to the Messiah.
Another compelling argument that this psalm is directly referring to Christ is that verses 6-7 are quoted verbatim in Hebrews 1:8-9 and are applied directly to Jesus! "Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever; a scepter of uprightness is the scepter of Thy kingdom. ... Therefore God, Thy God, has anointed You (made you the HaMaschioch, the Christ) with the oil of joy above Your fellows." In 45:17 there is an eternal praise given to this King. This has to be about the Messiah! "I will cause Your name to be remembered in all generations; therefore the peoples will give You thanks forever and ever."
Thanks for asking.
Dr. Mal Couch
ANSWER: Yes, everyone agrees that it is, even the Jewish Rabbis. However, they say little about some of the principle verses in the chapter. Especially interesting is verse 16 where it says "In place of your fathers will be your sons; you shall make them princes in all the earth." In other words if the King in the passage is the Messiah, His fathers of old will become His sons! This reminds us of Psalm 110:1 where David's "Lord says to his Lord ..." Christ claims this Psalm 110:1 as referring to Him. It is a twist that caused a great consternation to the Jews. How could a Son of David be David's Lord?
The great old Calvinist scholar John Gill agrees that Psalm 45:16 has the same twist as in Psalm 110:1 and is definitely messianic. In the Kingdom, when the earthly fathers of the Messiah are resurrected, they will become the spiritual sons of the Messiah! There is one problem in Psalm 45, and that is the "daughters" of the King. Most believe these are the Jewish people, the nation of Israel, who will be like daughters to the Messiah.
Another compelling argument that this psalm is directly referring to Christ is that verses 6-7 are quoted verbatim in Hebrews 1:8-9 and are applied directly to Jesus! "Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever; a scepter of uprightness is the scepter of Thy kingdom. ... Therefore God, Thy God, has anointed You (made you the HaMaschioch, the Christ) with the oil of joy above Your fellows." In 45:17 there is an eternal praise given to this King. This has to be about the Messiah! "I will cause Your name to be remembered in all generations; therefore the peoples will give You thanks forever and ever."
Thanks for asking.
Dr. Mal Couch
