Psalm 45:1
New International Version
For the director of music. To the tune of “Lilies.” Of the Sons of Korah. A maskil. A wedding song. My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer.

New Living Translation
Beautiful words stir my heart. I will recite a lovely poem about the king, for my tongue is like the pen of a skillful poet.

English Standard Version
My heart overflows with a pleasing theme; I address my verses to the king; my tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe.

Berean Standard Bible
For the choirmaster. To the tune of “The Lilies.” A Maskil of the sons of Korah. A love song. My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses to the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer.

King James Bible
To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim, for the sons of Korah, Maschil, A Song of loves. My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer.

New King James Version
To the Chief Musician. Set to “The Lilies.” A Contemplation of the sons of Korah. A Song of Love. My heart is overflowing with a good theme; I recite my composition concerning the King; My tongue is the pen of a ready writer.

New American Standard Bible
For the music director; according to the Shoshannim. A Maskil of the sons of Korah. A Song of Love. My heart is moved with a good theme; I address my verses to the King; My tongue is the pen of a ready writer.

NASB 1995
For the choir director; according to the Shoshannim. A Maskil of the sons of Korah. A Song of Love. My heart overflows with a good theme; I address my verses to the King; My tongue is the pen of a ready writer.

NASB 1977
My heart overflows with a good theme; I address my verses to the King; My tongue is the pen of a ready writer.

Legacy Standard Bible
For the choir director. According to Shoshannim. Of the sons of Korah. A Maskil. A Song of Love. My heart overflows with a good theme; I address my verses to the King; My tongue is the pen of a skillful scribe.

Amplified Bible
To the Chief Musician; set to the [tune of] “Lilies.” A Psalm of the sons of Korah. A skillful song, or a didactic or reflective poem. A Song of Love. My heart overflows with a good theme; I address my psalm to the King. My tongue is like the pen of a skillful writer.

Christian Standard Bible
For the choir director: according to “The Lilies.” † A Maskil of the sons of Korah. A love song. My heart is moved by a noble theme as I recite my verses to the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For the choir director: according to “The Lilies.” A Maskil of the sons of Korah. A love song. My heart is moved by a noble theme as I recite my verses to the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer.

American Standard Version
For the Chief Musician; set to Shoshannim. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. Maschil. A Song of loves. My heart overfloweth with a goodly matter; I speak the things which I have made touching the king: My tongue is the pen of a ready writer.

Contemporary English Version
My thoughts are filled with beautiful words for the king, and I will use my voice as a writer would use pen and ink.

English Revised Version
For the Chief Musician; set to Shoshannim; a Psalm of the sons of Korah. Maschil. A Song of loves. My heart overfloweth with a goodly matter: I speak the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
[For the choir director; according to [shoshannim]; a [maskil] by Korah's descendants; a love song.] My heart is overflowing with good news. I will direct my song to the king. My tongue is a pen for a skillful writer.

Good News Translation
Beautiful words fill my mind, as I compose this song for the king. Like the pen of a good writer my tongue is ready with a poem.

International Standard Version
My heart is overflowing with good news; I speak what I have composed to the king; my tongue is like the pen of an articulate scribe.

Majority Standard Bible
For the choirmaster. To the tune of “The Lilies.” A Maskil of the sons of Korah. A love song. My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses to the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer.

NET Bible
For the music director; according to the tune of "Lilies;" by the Korahites, a well-written poem, a love song. My heart is stirred by a beautiful song. I say, "I have composed this special song for the king; my tongue is as skilled as the stylus of an experienced scribe."

New Heart English Bible
[For the Chief Musician. Set to "The Lilies." A contemplation by the sons of Korah. A wedding song.] My heart overflows with a noble theme. I recite my verses for the king. My tongue is like the pen of a skillful writer.

Webster's Bible Translation
To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim, for the sons of Korah, Maschil, A Song of loves. My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made concerning the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer.

World English Bible
For the Chief Musician. Set to “The Lilies.” A contemplation by the sons of Korah. A wedding song. My heart overflows with a noble theme. I recite my verses for the king. My tongue is like the pen of a skillful writer.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
TO THE OVERSEER. [SET] ON “LILIES.” AN INSTRUCTION OF THE SONS OF KORAH. A SONG OF LOVES. My heart has stirred a good word, "" I am telling my works to the King, "" My tongue [is] the pen of a speedy writer.

Young's Literal Translation
To the Overseer. -- 'On the Lilies.' -- By sons of Korah. -- An Instruction. -- A song of loves. My heart hath indited a good thing, I am telling my works to a king, My tongue is the pen of a speedy writer.

Smith's Literal Translation
To the overseer over the lilies, for the sons of Korah, instruction: a song of the beloved. My heart boiled over a good word: I say my works to the king: my tongue the pen of one writing promptly.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Unto the end, for them that shall be changed, for the sons of Core, for understanding. A canticle for the Beloved. My heart hath uttered a good word I speak my works to the king; My tongue is the pen of a scrivener that writeth swiftly.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Unto the end. For those who will be changed. To the sons of Korah, toward understanding. A Canticle for the Beloved. 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.

New American Bible
For the leader; according to “Lilies.” A maskil of the Korahites. A love song. [2] My heart is stirred by a noble theme, as I sing my ode to the king. My tongue is the pen of a nimble scribe.

New Revised Standard Version
My heart overflows with a goodly theme; I address my verses to the king; my tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
MY heart bubbles forth good news and I will tell my deeds to the king; my tongue is the pen of a ready writer.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
My heart brings forth good accounts and tells the deeds of The King; my tongue is the pen of a ready Scribe,
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
For the Leader; upon Shoshannim; [a Psalm] of the sons of Korah. Maschil. A Song of loves. My heart overfloweth with a goodly matter; I say: 'My work is concerning a king'; My tongue is the pen of a ready writer.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
For the end, for alternate strains by the sons of Core; for instruction, a Song concerning the beloved. My heart has uttered a good matter: I declare my works to the king: my tongue is the pen of a quick writer.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
My Heart is Stirred by a Noble Theme
1For the choirmaster. To the tune of “The Lilies.” A Maskil of the sons of Korah. A love song. My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses to the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer. 2You are the most handsome of men; grace has anointed your lips, since God has blessed you forever.…

Cross References
Hebrews 1:8-9
But about the Son He says: “Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever, and justice is the scepter of Your kingdom. / You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You above Your companions with the oil of joy.”

Isaiah 61:1
The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners,

Luke 4:18-19
“The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed, / to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

Song of Solomon 1:4
Take me away with you—let us hurry! May the king bring me to his chambers. We will rejoice and delight in you; we will praise your love more than wine. It is only right that they adore you.

Revelation 19:11-16
Then I saw heaven standing open, and there before me was a white horse. And its rider is called Faithful and True. With righteousness He judges and wages war. / He has eyes like blazing fire, and many royal crowns on His head. He has a name written on Him that only He Himself knows. / He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His name is The Word of God. ...

Isaiah 9:6-7
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. / Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from that time and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will accomplish this.

John 1:14
The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Ephesians 5:25-27
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her / to sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, / and to present her to Himself as a glorious church, without stain or wrinkle or any such blemish, but holy and blameless.

1 Peter 1:10-12
Concerning this salvation, the prophets who foretold the grace to come to you searched and investigated carefully, / trying to determine the time and setting to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow. / It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, when they foretold the things now announced by those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.

Matthew 21:9
The crowds that went ahead of Him and those that followed were shouting: “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest!”

2 Samuel 23:2
The Spirit of the LORD spoke through me; His word was on my tongue.

Isaiah 11:1-5
Then a shoot will spring up from the stump of Jesse, and a Branch from his roots will bear fruit. / The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and strength, the Spirit of knowledge and fear of the LORD. / And He will delight in the fear of the LORD. He will not judge by what His eyes see, and He will not decide by what His ears hear, ...

Philippians 2:9-11
Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names, / that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, / and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

1 Timothy 6:15-16
which the blessed and only Sovereign One—the King of kings and Lord of lords—will bring about in His own time. / He alone is immortal and dwells in unapproachable light. No one has ever seen Him, nor can anyone see Him. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.

Jeremiah 33:15-16
In those days and at that time I will cause to sprout for David a righteous Branch, and He will administer justice and righteousness in the land. / In those days Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will dwell securely, and this is the name by which it will be called: The LORD Our Righteousness.


Treasury of Scripture

My heart is gushing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer.

(Title.

1 Chronicles 17:27
Now therefore let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it may be before thee for ever: for thou blessest, O LORD, and it shall be blessed for ever.

Shoshannim

Psalm 69:1
To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim, A Psalm of David. Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul.

Psalm 80:1
To the chief Musician upon ShoshannimEduth, A Psalm of Asaph. Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; thou that dwellest between the cherubims, shine forth.

Maschil.

Song of Solomon 1:1,2
The song of songs, which is Solomon's…

Isaiah 5:1
Now will I sing to my wellbeloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard. My wellbeloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill:

Ephesians 5:32
This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

is inditing [heb.

Job 32:18-20
For I am full of matter, the spirit within me constraineth me…

Proverbs 16:23
The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.

Matthew 12:35
A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.

a good

Psalm 49:3
My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.

Job 33:3
My words shall be of the uprightness of my heart: and my lips shall utter knowledge clearly.

Job 34:4
Let us choose to us judgment: let us know among ourselves what is good.

touching

Psalm 2:6
Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.

Psalm 24:7-10
Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in…

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Chief Choirmaster Contemplation Good Goodly Heart Korah Lilies Love Maskil Matter Musician Noble Overflows Pen Psalm Recite Skillful Song Speak Theme Tongue Wedding Writer
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Psalm 45
1. The majesty and grace of Christ's kingdom
10. The duty of the church, and the benefits thereof














My heart is stirred
The phrase "My heart is stirred" conveys a deep emotional response, suggesting an inner movement or inspiration. In Hebrew, the word for "stirred" can imply a boiling or bubbling up, indicating a passionate and fervent feeling. This reflects the psalmist's profound excitement and readiness to express something significant. In a conservative Christian perspective, this stirring can be seen as the work of the Holy Spirit, moving within the believer to inspire worship and praise.

by a noble theme
The "noble theme" refers to a subject of great importance and worthiness. In the context of Psalm 45, this theme is often interpreted as a royal wedding or a messianic prophecy. The Hebrew word for "noble" can also mean excellent or praiseworthy, suggesting that the theme is not only important but also virtuous and honorable. This aligns with the Christian understanding of Christ as the ultimate noble theme, the King of Kings, whose life and mission are the highest subjects of praise.

as I recite my verses to the king
The act of reciting "my verses to the king" indicates a personal and direct communication with royalty. Historically, this could refer to a literal king of Israel, but prophetically, it points to Jesus Christ, the King of Kings. The psalmist's verses are not mere words but are crafted with the intention of honoring and glorifying the king. This reflects the Christian call to offer our best to Christ, recognizing His sovereignty and majesty.

my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer
This metaphor highlights the psalmist's role as a conduit for divine inspiration. The "pen of a skillful writer" suggests precision, artistry, and intentionality. In Hebrew culture, writing was a revered skill, and the psalmist likens his ability to articulate praise to that of a master scribe. For Christians, this can be seen as an encouragement to use our God-given talents to glorify God, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide our words and actions in service to the King.

(1) Inditing.--A most unhappy rendering of a word, which, though only used here, must, from the meaning of its derivative (a "pot," or "cauldron"), have something to do with a liquid, and means either to "boil over" or to "bubble up." The LXX. and Vulg. have apparently thought of the bursting out of a fountain: eructavit. Symmachus has, "been set in motion." The "spring," or "fountain," is a common emblem of inspired fancy:--

"Ancient founts of inspiration well through all my fancy yet."

TENNYSON: Locksley Hall.

A good matter.--That is, a theme worthy a poet's song. Luther: "A fine song."

I speak of the things which I have made touching the king.--This rendering follows the LXX., Vulg., and most of the older translations. Perhaps, however, we are to understand Aquila and Symmachus as rendering "my poems;" and undoubtedly the true rendering is, I am speaking: my poem is of a king (not the king, as in Authorised Version).

My tongue . . .--So lofty a theme, so august a subject, inspires him with thoughts that flow freely. The ready or expeditious scribe (LXX. and Vulg., "A scribe writing quickly") was, as we learn from Ezra 7:6, a recognised form of praise for a distinguished member of that body, one of whose functions was to make copies of the Law.

Verse 1. - My heart is inditing a good matter; literally, bubbleth with a good matter - is so full of it that the matter will burst forth. I speak of the things which I have made touching the king; or, I utter that which I have composed concerning the king. My tongue is the pen of a ready writer. It is noted that only "psalms of high and solemn import" have formal exordia of this kind, announcing the intention of the writer.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
For the choirmaster.
לַמְנַצֵּ֣חַ (lam·naṣ·ṣê·aḥ)
Preposition-l, Article | Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5329: To glitter from afar, to be eminent, to be permanent

To the tune of
עַל־ (‘a·lō·šō-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

“The Lilies.”
שֹׁ֭שַׁנִּים (šan·nîm)
Noun - common plural
Strong's 7799: A lily, as a, flower of architectural ornament, a, trumpet

A Maskil
מַ֝שְׂכִּ֗יל (maś·kîl)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4905: Instructive, a didactic poem

of the sons
לִבְנֵי־ (liḇ·nê-)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Korah.
קֹ֑רַח (qō·raḥ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7141: Korah -- an Edomite name, also an Israelite name

A love
יְדִידֹֽת׃ (yə·ḏî·ḏōṯ)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 3039: Beloved

song.
שִׁ֣יר (šîr)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7892: A song, singing

My heart
לִבִּ֨י ׀ (lib·bî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 3820: The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre

is stirred
רָ֘חַ֤שׁ (rā·ḥaš)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7370: To keep moving, stir

by a noble
ט֗וֹב (ṭō·wḇ)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good

theme
דָּ֘בָ֤ר (dā·ḇār)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

as I
אָ֭נִי (’ā·nî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589: I

recite
אֹמֵ֣ר (’ō·mêr)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

my verses
מַעֲשַׂ֣י (ma·‘ă·śay)
Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 4639: An action, a transaction, activity, a product, property

to the king;
לְמֶ֑לֶךְ (lə·me·leḵ)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

my tongue
לְ֝שׁוֹנִ֗י (lə·šō·w·nî)
Noun - common singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 3956: The tongue

is the pen
עֵ֤ט ׀ (‘êṭ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5842: A stylus, marking stick

of a skillful
מָהִֽיר׃ (mā·hîr)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 4106: Quick, prompt, ready, skilled

writer.
סוֹפֵ֬ר (sō·w·p̄êr)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5608: To count, recount, relate


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OT Poetry: Psalm 45:1 For the Chief Musician (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 44:26
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