Prayer Guide: Psalm 45

By Brandon Morrow

To the choirmaster: according to Lilies. A Maskil of the Sons of Korah; a love song.

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.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

 

REVERENCE

God’s Praiseworthy Attributes:

  • God fills our hearts with pleasantries – v. 1
  • We have a King we can turn to – v. 1
  • God pours out His grace on us – v. 2
  • We are a blessed people – v. 2
  • God pours out onto us truth, humility and justice – v. 4
  • God’s throne lasts forever – v. 6
  • God’s Kingdom is marked by righteousness – v. 6
  • God loves righteousness (justice) – v. 7
  • God hates wicked and evil things – v. 7
  • God anoints us with the oil of gladness – v. 7
  • All things of value and beauty belong to the Lord – vv. 8-13
  • Just as a bride is united with the groom, so are we (the church) united with Christ (cf 2 Cor 11:2) – v. 14
  • In unity with God is there joy and gladness – v. 15
  • We have received a royal identity – v. 16
  • God lifts up His people – v. 17

Possible Prayer Prompters:

  • We are a blessed people because your name is ________________.
  • We praise you because you are our ____________ (example: King, etc…).
  • We exalt you, Lord, because your eternal nature lasts longer than ______________.
  • I lift up your name, Lord, because you poured out your grace on me even when I _______________.

Response

  • I confess Lord that I have not filled my heart with your pleasantries when I _______________.
  • I confess the sin of _______________ (form of unrighteous) that stands in opposition to the things you love.
  • I confess that I did not recognize my royal value when I fell prey/condemned to/in ___________. (The Belgic Confession, Article 14, has a great comment on this that would be worth looking into. It reads concerning the fall of humanity, “and did not recognize their excellence.”)

Requests

  • Help me to walk in truth, humility, and justice today as I _________________.
  • Because you lift up your people, would you lift up _________________ as they endure…
  • Fill me with joy today as I walk through ___________________.
  • Would you help __________________ see their value and beauty in your eyes as they struggle with…

Readiness

  • Lord, I am submitting into your hands the evil desire of…
  • Lord, I am trusting that you’ll overflow me with your grace today, so that I can pour out your grace on _________.
  • Lord, fill my heart with the knowledge that I’m blessed by you as I walk through…