Psalms 45:11

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 45:11 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “So will the king desire thy beauty; For he is thy lord; and reverence thou him.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

So will the king desire thy beauty; For he is thy lord; and reverence thou him.
Psalms 45:11 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 45

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
11So will the king desire thy beauty; For he is thy lord; and reverence thou him.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“So shall the King greatly desire thy beauty, etc.] Which lies in the comeliness or righteousness of Christ put upon her; in the holiness of Christ reckoned to her; in being washed from all sin in the blood of Christ; in the graces of the Spirit being implanted in her, in which the beauty of holiness lies; in the salvation she is interested in, and beautified with; in enjoying the order and ordinance of Christ’s house, and in having the presence of God and Christ with her: and this beauty is not natural, nor acquired by her, but what is given her; it is not an outward, but an inward beauty; nor is it fictitious, but real; it is perfect through the comeliness of her Lord upon her; and it is…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty - That is, in consequence of your love to him, and your entire devotion of yourself to him. The word “desire” here is equivalent to having pleasure in; as meaning that his affliction would thus be fixed on her. In this way - by forgetting her own home, and devoting herself to him - she would secure his affection. In the married life, mere “beauty” will not secure permanently the love of a husband. The heart, as given to him, and as faithful to him, will alone secure his love. In like manner, it is nothing but sincere affection - true love on the part of the professed friends of the Saviour - the forgetting and forsaking of all else - that will…”
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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
“So - So thou shalt be acceptable to thy husband; which will abundantly recompence thee, for the loss of thy father's house. Thy Lord - As he is thy husband, and also as he is thy king, and God. Psalms 45:12”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“So shall: Sol 1:8, Sol 1:12-16, Sol 2:2, Sol 2:14, Sol 4:1-5, Sol 4:7, Sol 4:9, Sol 4:10, Sol 6:4, Sol 7:1-10; Isa 62:4, Isa 62:5; Zep 3:17; Eph 5:26, Eph 5:27 Lord: Psa 45:6; Isa 54:5; Jer 23:5, Jer 23:6; Joh 20:28; Act 10:36; Rom 14:9; Phi 2:10, Phi 2:11; Phi 3:8 worship: Psa 2:12, Psa 95:6; Luk 24:52; Joh 4:21, Joh 4:22; Rev 5:8-14 Psalms 45:12”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification