Psalms 45:10

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 45:10 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; Forget also thine own people, and thy father`s house:” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; Forget also thine own people, and thy father`s house:
Psalms 45:10 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 45

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
10Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; Forget also thine own people, and thy father`s house:

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear, etc.] These words are either spoken by the prophet, the author of the psalm; or by the King, the bridegroom himself; or, as others think, by Jehovah the Father, whose daughter the church is; unless it should be rather thought to be an address of the honourable women, the kings’ daughters, the virgins and companions of the bride, delivered by them to her under the character of the daughter of Zion, the King’s daughter, as she is called, (<194513>Psalm 45:13), “to hearken, incline [her] ear” and listen to her Lord and King, to his Gospel, and the doctrines of it, which are his voice and words, and to all his precepts and commands; and…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“She is invited to the union, for forming which she must leave her father's people. She representing, by the form of the allegory, the Church, this address is illustrated by all those scriptures, from Gen 12:1 on, which speak of the people of God as a chosen, separate, and peculiar people. The relation of subjection to her spouse at once accords with the law of marriage, as given in Gen 3:16; Gen 18:12; Eph 5:22; Pe1 3:5-6, and the relation of the Church to Christ (Eph 5:24). The love of the husband is intimately connected with the entire devotion to which the bride is exhorted.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Hearken, O daughter, and consider - This is probably to be understood as the language of the psalmist, in vision, as uttering counsel and advice which would be appropriate to the new condition of the bride. Some have understood it as the language of the father of the bride, uttering appropriate counsel to his daughter on entering upon her new relationship; exhorting her to affection and obedience in that relationship; charging her to feel that she is his, that she is to go with him, that she is to identify herself with his interests, and to “forget,” - that is, not improperly to long for her own people and her father’s house. All this would be good advice for a father to give to his daughter…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Hearken - The prophet having hitherto spoken to the bridegroom, now addresseth his speech to the bride. O daughter - He speaks like an elder person, and as her spiritual father and counsellor. Incline - He uses several words, signifying the same thing, to shew his vehement desire of her good. Forget - Comparatively. Psalms 45:11”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“45:10-12 The bride is a representative of the king. Powerful people and nations try to gain her favor in order to get close to the king. This is a great honor, and she is encouraged to give herself fully to her new position.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Hearken: Sol 2:10-13; Isa 55:1-3; Co2 6:17, Co2 6:18, Co2 7:1 forget: Gen 2:24, Gen 12:1; Deu 21:13, Deu 33:9; Mat 10:37, Mat 19:29; Luk 14:26; Co2 5:16 Psalms 45:11”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“(Heb.: 45:11-13) The poet next turns to address the one bride of the king, who is now honoured far above the kings' daughters. With שׁמעי he implores for himself a hearing; by ראי yb ;gni he directs her eye towards the new relationship into which she is just entering; by הטּי אזנך he bespeaks her attention to the exhortation that follows; by בּת he puts himself in a position in relation to her similar to that which the teacher and preacher occupies who addresses the bridal pair at the altar. She is to forget her people and her father's house, to sever her natural, inherited, and customary relationships of life, both as regards outward form and inward affections; and should the king desire…”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification