Psalms 45:4

4 Ride on the side of truth! Ride for the righteous meek! "Your instructions are glow-in-the-dark;

Psalms 45:4 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 45:4

And in thy majesty ride prosperously
Not literally, as was prophesied of him he should, and as he did, ( Zechariah 9:9 ) ( Matthew 21:7 Matthew 21:9 Matthew 21:16 ) ; but mystically and spiritually, either in the chariots of angels up to heaven, ( Psalms 68:17 Psalms 68:18 ) ; or on the white horse of the Gospel, with his bow and arrows after mentioned, conquering and to conquer, ( Revelation 6:2 ) ; and where he rides "in [his] majesty", showing forth his glory both as a divine Person and as Mediator; and which is very conspicuous in the Gospel, and the ministry of it; and also "prosperously", as he did in the first preaching of the word by the apostles, when it was made the power of God to salvation to multitudes, and the Lord caused them to triumph in Christ everywhere; and as he will in the latter day, when the Jews will be converted, and the fulness of the Gentiles brought in;

because of truth, and meekness, [and] righteousness;
either because he himself is "truth", the truth of all types, promises, prophecies, and doctrines; or because of the Gospel of truth which comes by him; or on account of his truth and faithfulness in fulfilling his own engagements, and the promises of his father: and because of the "meekness" which was so apparent in him, in taking upon him the form of a servant; in his marriage to sinners, and conversation with them; in ministering: to his disciples; in his conduct towards his enemies; and in seeking not his own glory, but his Father's: and because of "righteousness", the holiness of his nature, the purity of his life and actions; and because of the righteousness he is the author of to his people, and of his righteous administration of his offices, especially as a King;

and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things;
or thy power, which the right hand is a symbol of, shall perform terrible things; as it did in the work of redemption, by conquering and destroying the enemies of his people, and of himself; and as it does in the conversion of men, which makes terrible work in their consciences, as the instances of the three thousand, of Saul, and of the jailer show; and as it has in his judgments on his enemies the Jews, in the utter ruin of their nation, city, and temple; and will do on all the antichristian powers in the latter day. The Targum paraphrases it,

``the Lord shall teach thee to do terrible things with thy right hand F6.''


FOOTNOTES:

F6 "Dextra mihi Deus" Virgil. Aeneid. 10. prope finem.

Psalms 45:4 In-Context

2 "You're the handsomest of men; every word from your lips is sheer grace, and God has blessed you, blessed you so much.
3 Strap your sword to your side, warrior! Accept praise! Accept due honor! Ride majestically! Ride triumphantly!
4 Ride on the side of truth! Ride for the righteous meek! "Your instructions are glow-in-the-dark;
5 you shoot sharp arrows Into enemy hearts; the king's foes lie down in the dust, beaten.
6 "Your throne is God's throne, ever and always; The scepter of your royal rule measures right living.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.