לַמְנַצֵּחַ עַל שֹׁשַׁנִּים לִבְנֵי קֹרַח מַשְׂכִּיל שִׁיר יְדִידֹת

For the chief musician, on shoshanim.A contemplation by the sons of Korah, a song of affection. Unlike other psalms that have the word “contemplation” in their introductory verse, this psalm contains no incisive admonitions or discussions of lofty topics; rather, it contains advice and good wishes for the bride and groom. Some commentators suggest that the psalm was written in praise of King Solomon, or possibly the messianic king.

רָחַשׁ לִבִּי דָּבָר טוֹב אֹמֵר אָנִי מַעֲשַׂי לְמֶלֶךְ לְשׁוֹנִי עֵט סוֹפֵר מָהִיר

By way of introduction, the psalmist declares his noble intentions and his hope that his work will be of excellent quality: My heart abounds with good words; I address my works to the king. This verse restates the main purpose of the psalm, namely, to honor the king. My tongue, while reciting this song, is like the pen of a swift transcriber.

יָפְיָפִיתָ מִבְּנֵי אָדָם הוּצַק חֵן בְּשִׂפְתוֹתֶיךָ עַל כֵּן בֵּרַכְךָ אֱלֹהִים לְעוֹלָם

You are fairer than all the other sons of man; grace flows from your lips. You express yourself gracefully, in a manner that is pleasant to hear. Thus God has blessed you forever.

חֲגוֹר חַרְבְּךָ עַל יָרֵךְ גִּבּוֹר הוֹדְךָ וַהֲדָרֶךָ

As the king is also a warrior, the psalmist describes his military aspect: Gird your sword upon your thigh, mighty one, as this will be for your majesty and glory.

והֲדָרְךָ צְלַח רְכַב עַל דְּבַר אֱמֶת וְעַנְוָה צֶדֶק וְתוֹרְךָ נוֹרָאוֹת יְמִינֶךָ

Ride forth in your glory upon the word of truth. The king’s chariot, in a metaphorical sense, is the word of truth, humility, and righteousness. In addition to his role as warrior, the king serves as a judge. Here the military expressions acquire an additional metaphorical meaning: The glory and might of a king are manifest in his pursuit of truth in a manner that is both just and self-effacing. In similar fashion: Let your right hand, the symbol of both power and uprightness, guide you along a wondrous path that leads you to victory.

חִצֶּיךָ שְׁנוּנִים עַמִּים תַּחְתֶּיךָ יִפְּלוּ בְּלֵב אוֹיְבֵי הַמֶּלֶךְ

Your arrows are sharp, piercing the hearts of the king’s enemies; nations fall before you.

כִּסְאֲךָ אֱלֹהִים עוֹלָם וָעֶד שֵׁבֶט מִישֹׁר שֵׁבֶט מַלְכוּתֶךָ

Your throne is the throne of God forever. It is said of King Solomon that he “sat on the throne of the Lord.” The staff of righteousness is the scepter of your kingship.

אָהַבְתָּ צֶּדֶק וַתִּשְׂנָא רֶשַׁע עַל כֵּן מְשָׁחֲךָ אֱלֹהִים אֱלֹהֶיךָ שֶׁמֶן שָׂשׂוֹן מחֲבֵרֶךָ

You love righteousness and abhor wickedness. Because of this, God your God has anointed you, the king, over your fellows with the oil of joy, a reference to the oil used to anoint the king, as his rise to power, culminating in his coronation, is an occasion of great joy.

מֹר וַאֲהָלוֹת קְצִיעוֹת כָל בִּגְדֹתֶיךָ מִן הֵיכְלֵי שֵׁן מִנִּי שִׂמְּחוּךָ

The psalmist describes the king as a bridegroom: Myrrh, aloes, and cassia were on all your garments as you went from ivory halls. This was so ever since they began to rejoice for you, starting from when the wedding festivities began.

בְּנוֹת מְלָכִים בִּיקְּרוֹתֶיךָ נִצְּבָה שֵׁגַל לִימִינְךָ בְּכֶתֶם אוֹפִיר

The daughters of kings are among those who honor you; at your right hand stands the consort, the queen, attired in gold from faraway Ofir, a land known for its fine gold.

שִׁמְעִי בַת וּרְאִי וְהַטִּי אָזְנֵךְ וְשִׁכְחִי עַמֵּךְ וּבֵית אָבִיךְ

The psalmist now addresses the bride: Listen, daughter, and take note of all the splendor you will enjoy after your marriage; incline your ear. Forget your people and your father’s house after you become the king’s wife.

וְיִתְאָו הַמֶּלֶךְ יָפְיֵךְ כִּי הוּא אֲדֹנַיִךְ וְהִשְׁתַּחֲוִי לוֹ

The king will desire your beauty, as he is your master, your king as well as your husband. Bow to him.

וּבַת צֹר בְּמִנְחָה פָּנַיִךְ יְחַלּוּ עֲשִׁירֵי עָם

The populace of Tyre will come with gifts for the future queen, seeking your favor, the wealthiest of the people.

כָּל כְּבוּדָּה בַת מֶלֶךְ פְּנִימָה מִמִּשְׁבְּצוֹת זָהָב לְבוּשָׁהּ

All of the glory of the princess is within. She does not appear in public; people honor her from a distance. Her dress is interwoven with gold.

לִרְקָמוֹת תּוּבַל לַמֶּלֶךְ בְּתוּלוֹת אַחֲרֶיהָ רֵעוֹתֶיהָ מוּבָאוֹת לָךְ

In embroidered clothing she is led to the king; her virgin companions follow her, escorting her to you, the king.

תּוּבַלְנָה בִּשְׂמָחֹת וָגִיל תְּבֹאֶינָה בְּהֵיכַל מֶלֶךְ

They, the bride and her attendants, are brought forth in gladness and rejoicing, entering the palace of the king.

תַּחַת אֲבֹתֶיךָ יִהְיוּ בָנֶיךָ תְּשִׁיתֵמוֹ לְשָׂרִים בְּכָל הָאָרֶץ

A blessing for the groom follows: May your sons follow in the wake of your fathers. May the dynasty remain unbroken, with your sons continuing to reign after you. You will appoint them as ministers throughout the land.

אַזְכִּירָה שִׁמְךָ בְּכָל דֹּר וָדֹר עַל כֵּן עַמִּים יְהוֹדוּךָ לְעֹלָם וָעֶד

I commemorate your name for all generations to come; thus nations will praise you forever.