For the choir director: A love song to be sung to the tune “Lilies.” A psalma of the descendants of Korah.
1 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.
1 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.
2 You are the most handsome of all.
Gracious words stream from your lips.
God himself has blessed you forever.
Gracious words stream from your lips.
God himself has blessed you forever.
3 Put on your sword, O mighty warrior!
You are so glorious, so majestic!
You are so glorious, so majestic!
4 In your majesty, ride out to victory,
defending truth, humility, and justice.
Go forth to perform awe-inspiring deeds!
defending truth, humility, and justice.
Go forth to perform awe-inspiring deeds!
5 Your arrows are sharp, piercing your enemies’ hearts.
The nations fall beneath your feet.
The nations fall beneath your feet.
6 Your throne, O God,b endures forever and ever.
You rule with a scepter of justice.
You rule with a scepter of justice.
7 You love justice and hate evil.
Therefore God, your God, has anointed you,
pouring out the oil of joy on you more than on anyone else.
Therefore God, your God, has anointed you,
pouring out the oil of joy on you more than on anyone else.
8 Myrrh, aloes, and cassia perfume your robes.
In ivory palaces the music of strings entertains you.
In ivory palaces the music of strings entertains you.
9 Kings’ daughters are among your noble women.
At your right side stands the queen,
wearing jewelry of finest gold from Ophir!
At your right side stands the queen,
wearing jewelry of finest gold from Ophir!
10 Listen to me, O royal daughter; take to heart what I say.
Forget your people and your family far away.
Forget your people and your family far away.
11 For your royal husband delights in your beauty;
honor him, for he is your lord.
honor him, for he is your lord.
12 The princess of Tyrec will shower you with gifts.
The wealthy will beg your favor.
The wealthy will beg your favor.
13 The bride, a princess, looks glorious
in her golden gown.
in her golden gown.
14 In her beautiful robes, she is led to the king,
accompanied by her bridesmaids.
accompanied by her bridesmaids.
15 What a joyful and enthusiastic procession
as they enter the king’s palace!
as they enter the king’s palace!
16 Your sons will become kings like their father.
You will make them rulers over many lands.
You will make them rulers over many lands.
17 I will bring honor to your name in every generation.
Therefore, the nations will praise you forever and ever.
Therefore, the nations will praise you forever and ever.