The Book of Psalms

⭑ Catholic Public Domain Version 2009 ⭑

- Chapter 45 -

My heart is moved by a noble theme

(1 Kings 3:1-15; 2 Chronicles 1:1-13; Psalm 72:1-20)

Unto the end. For those who will be changed. To the sons of Korah, toward understanding. A Canticle for the Beloved.(a)

(b)

My heart has uttered a good word. I speak of my works to the king. My tongue is like the pen of a scribe who writes quickly.

You are a brilliant form before the sons of men. Grace has been poured freely into your lips. Because of this, God has blessed you in eternity.(c)

Fasten your sword to your thigh, O most powerful one.(d)

With your splendor and your excellence extended, proceed prosperously, and reign for the sake of truth and meekness and justice, and so will your right hand lead you wondrously.

Your arrows are sharp; the people will fall under you, with the hearts of the enemies of the king.

Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. The scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of true aim.

You have loved justice and hated iniquity. Because of this, God, your God, has anointed you,(e) before your co-heirs, with the oil of gladness.

Myrrh and balsam and cinnamon perfume your garments, from the houses of ivory.(f) From these, they have delighted you:

the daughters of kings in your honor. The queen assisted at your right hand, in clothing of gold, encircled with diversity.

Listen, daughter, and see, and incline your ear. And forget your people and your father’s house.

And the king will desire your beauty. For he is the Lord your God, and they will adore him.

And the daughters of Tyre will entreat your countenance with gifts:(g) all the rich men of the people.

All the glory of the daughter of its king is inside, in golden fringes,

clothed all around with diversities. After her, virgins will be led to the king. Her neighbors will be brought to you.

They will be brought with gladness and exultation. They will be led into the temple of the king.

For your fathers, sons have been born to you. You will establish them as leaders over all the earth.

They will remember your name always, for generation after generation. Because of this, people will confess to you in eternity, even forever and ever.

Footnotes

(a)44:1 For them that shall be changed:i.e., for souls happily changed, by being converted to God.(Challoner)

(b)44:1 The Beloved:Viz., Our Lord Jesus Christ.(Challoner)

(c)44:3 This verse refers to the Virgin Mary, into whose lips grace has been freely poured. She is blessed by God in eternity.(Conte)

(d)44:4 But this subsequent verse now refers to Christ himself, for the word ‘potentissime’ is singular masculine. Also, the superlative expression ‘most powerful one’ is fitting only for God, so it must refer to Christ, not Mary. As does the next verse also.(Conte)

(e)44:8 The word ‘consortibus’ has a fairly wide range of meaning in Latin. It can refer to siblings, to associates or co-workers, but it can also refer to those who are to inherit something, to siblings who are co-heirs. The verse has the meaning of someone being anointed, while others who are also anointed watch. It also has the meaning of someone who is an heir, standing among others who are co-heirs. But the one being anointed is an Anointed among anointed ones, an Heir among co-heirs, a Prince among princes, a King among kings.(Conte)

(f)44:9 The word ‘gutta’ refers to a tree or plant resin that is aromatic. The translation ‘balsam’ is used because a balsam is any type of tree or plant resin, but typically one that is aromatic.(Conte)

(g)44:13 The word ‘filiæ’ is clearly feminine plural: ‘And the daughters of Tyre.’ Tyre was a wealthy city due to its prosperous dye (Tyrian purple) and clothier industry in Biblical times. However, ‘divites’ is clearly masculine plural: ‘all the rich men of the people.’ Ordinarily, a translator ought to prefer to translate one noun with one noun, but English does not allow one to indicate gender, even with many words that refer to people, such as ‘the rich’ or ‘the wealthy.’ Since the first part of the verse is clearly referring to the women of wealthy Tyre, the last part is also specifically meant to indicate the successful wealthy men among the people (not merely any or all of the people. Keeping the gender references intact in this verse is essential to understanding its meaning.(Conte)