WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:11.800 Well, I wonder if you spotted the surprise in that royal wedding of Psalm 45 as we read it. 00:00:11.800 --> 00:00:20.000 ! Who is the centre of attention? It is the bridegroom, isn't it? It is the man, the king, not his bride. 00:00:20.000 --> 00:00:29.980 We see that by how it is introduced to us there in verse 1. It is a love song for a royal wedding addressed to the king, to the bridegroom. 00:00:30.660 --> 00:00:38.140 Which is rather unique in the whole Psalter. Every other psalm is either addressed to God or it is about God. 00:00:38.140 --> 00:00:46.640 But here it is about the bridegroom. The bridegroom remains the centre of attention even throughout the whole song. 00:00:47.379 --> 00:00:54.980 The bridegroom gets ten verses from verse 2 to verse 9 and verse 16 and 17. 00:00:54.979 --> 00:01:01.519 And the bride, she just gets three verses. Verse 13, 14 and 15. 00:01:02.539 --> 00:01:06.479 This love song is about the bridegroom on his wedding day. 00:01:06.879 --> 00:01:10.039 Not about the bride on her wedding day. 00:01:10.040 --> 00:01:16.320 The songwriter in verse 1 may be the king's best man, which I think makes good sense. 00:01:16.860 --> 00:01:20.880 He's certainly someone who knows the king and has great admiration for him. 00:01:21.380 --> 00:01:26.500 And his admiration is so great that his heart overflows into song for him. 00:01:26.500 --> 00:01:33.620 The older versions have the lovely phrase of his heart bubbling over into song. 00:01:34.159 --> 00:01:38.140 Here's a best man who can't keep his wedding speech to himself. 00:01:38.620 --> 00:01:40.900 He has to sing it to everyone. 00:01:40.900 --> 00:01:44.180 And it is sung before it is written. 00:01:44.440 --> 00:01:45.800 Did you see that in verse 1? 00:01:46.520 --> 00:01:49.340 My heart overflows with a pleasing theme. 00:01:50.000 --> 00:01:52.060 I address my verses to the king. 00:01:52.640 --> 00:01:56.200 My tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe. 00:01:57.260 --> 00:02:03.800 It's in his heart first, then on his tongue, before it flows out of his pen. 00:02:04.480 --> 00:02:06.500 That's the best kind of love song, isn't it? 00:02:06.800 --> 00:02:08.620 One that comes from the heart. 00:02:08.620 --> 00:02:17.120 But what is it about this king that makes this songwriter burst into spontaneous praise? 00:02:18.060 --> 00:02:19.900 Well, the answer is there in verse 2. 00:02:20.800 --> 00:02:24.500 You are the most handsome of the sons of men. 00:02:26.159 --> 00:02:27.700 It's the beauty of the king. 00:02:28.819 --> 00:02:31.219 This is the big surprise of this psalm. 00:02:31.620 --> 00:02:34.740 The bridegroom out-beautifies the bride. 00:02:35.740 --> 00:02:37.319 He's the center of attention. 00:02:37.319 --> 00:02:39.139 He's the beautiful one. 00:02:40.519 --> 00:02:44.319 The songwriter shows us that he's beautiful in six ways. 00:02:45.280 --> 00:02:48.519 Number one, there's the beauty of his words. 00:02:48.939 --> 00:02:50.439 The beauty of his words. 00:02:50.560 --> 00:02:51.180 Verse 2. 00:02:52.879 --> 00:02:56.019 You are the most handsome of the sons of men. 00:02:56.680 --> 00:02:59.060 Grace is poured upon your lips. 00:02:59.759 --> 00:03:01.799 Therefore God has blessed you forever. 00:03:01.800 --> 00:03:07.500 Here's another surprise in this royal wedding love song. 00:03:07.500 --> 00:03:14.300 The defining mark of beauty in this king is not his looks, but his lips. 00:03:15.000 --> 00:03:19.840 It's not his height, or his hair, or his eyes, or his physique. 00:03:20.200 --> 00:03:21.620 It's his speech. 00:03:22.040 --> 00:03:24.100 It's not what he looks like that is beautiful. 00:03:24.099 --> 00:03:26.560 It's what he sounds like. 00:03:27.500 --> 00:03:29.759 His words drip with grace. 00:03:30.780 --> 00:03:34.419 They're full of forgiveness, freedom, favor. 00:03:35.159 --> 00:03:36.299 They cleanse the dirty. 00:03:36.740 --> 00:03:37.979 They release the captive. 00:03:38.180 --> 00:03:39.699 They forgive the guilty. 00:03:40.979 --> 00:03:42.240 They're full of grace. 00:03:43.060 --> 00:03:44.479 Spurgeon puts it beautifully. 00:03:44.479 --> 00:03:48.060 His words turn our midnight into morning. 00:03:48.379 --> 00:03:50.419 Our winter into spring. 00:03:51.599 --> 00:03:56.479 This is what it would have been like in the Israeli daily the day after the wedding. 00:03:56.639 --> 00:03:58.379 The king's speech. 00:03:59.120 --> 00:04:01.479 Sounds like a movie we know, isn't it? 00:04:02.019 --> 00:04:04.579 What is King George VI remembered for? 00:04:05.079 --> 00:04:05.939 His speech. 00:04:06.379 --> 00:04:07.579 Speech impediment. 00:04:08.299 --> 00:04:12.839 But his speech as we went off to war in the Second World War. 00:04:12.840 --> 00:04:16.680 And that's the identifying mark of this royal bridegroom. 00:04:16.800 --> 00:04:17.540 His speech. 00:04:17.899 --> 00:04:19.780 His gracious words. 00:04:20.660 --> 00:04:21.899 And for his grace. 00:04:22.459 --> 00:04:23.860 Did you see that in verse 2? 00:04:24.240 --> 00:04:25.939 He receives a reward. 00:04:26.879 --> 00:04:30.600 Therefore, God has blessed you forever. 00:04:30.759 --> 00:04:34.459 There are three therefores in this psalm. 00:04:34.519 --> 00:04:35.639 And this is the first one. 00:04:37.680 --> 00:04:39.579 As a reward for his grace. 00:04:39.579 --> 00:04:43.759 He receives blessing from God. 00:04:43.959 --> 00:04:45.300 Eternal blessing. 00:04:46.039 --> 00:04:49.680 In Bible times, the concept of blessing was primarily physical. 00:04:50.180 --> 00:04:50.680 Material. 00:04:51.039 --> 00:04:55.599 In this case, it would be primarily linked to the king having children. 00:04:56.379 --> 00:05:01.339 So for being a man of grace, he gets to be a king with posterity. 00:05:02.159 --> 00:05:04.519 He's blessed with an eternal dynasty. 00:05:05.039 --> 00:05:07.199 He gets a son on his throne forever. 00:05:07.199 --> 00:05:13.339 So that's the first way this songwriter shows us the beauty of this king. 00:05:13.439 --> 00:05:14.920 There's the beauty of his words. 00:05:15.579 --> 00:05:18.259 Second, there's the beauty of his war. 00:05:18.920 --> 00:05:20.180 Verse 3 to 5. 00:05:20.279 --> 00:05:22.519 The beauty of his war. 00:05:23.659 --> 00:05:26.439 Gird your sword on your thigh, O mighty one. 00:05:26.519 --> 00:05:28.339 In your splendor and majesty. 00:05:28.980 --> 00:05:35.019 In your majesty ride out victoriously for the cause of truth and meekness and righteousness. 00:05:35.019 --> 00:05:38.599 Let your right hand teach you awesome deeds. 00:05:39.279 --> 00:05:42.799 Your arrows are sharp in the heart of the king's enemies. 00:05:42.959 --> 00:05:45.279 The peoples fall under you. 00:05:46.579 --> 00:05:50.459 If in verse 2, he is a king who knows how to forgive. 00:05:51.139 --> 00:05:53.919 Here, he is a king who knows how to fight. 00:05:55.120 --> 00:05:56.979 His lips drip with grace. 00:05:56.980 --> 00:06:00.439 But on his thigh is a sword. 00:06:01.319 --> 00:06:03.879 And on his back is a quiver full of arrows. 00:06:04.600 --> 00:06:05.920 It's not a toy sword. 00:06:06.720 --> 00:06:08.160 They're not plastic arrows. 00:06:09.200 --> 00:06:09.840 Verse 5. 00:06:09.960 --> 00:06:12.819 They pierce the heart of his enemies. 00:06:13.020 --> 00:06:16.620 People fall down before him on the battlefield. 00:06:17.420 --> 00:06:20.120 He is a warrior who slays his enemies. 00:06:20.120 --> 00:06:23.519 That's what makes him and his war beautiful. 00:06:25.379 --> 00:06:28.180 Now that might sound like a bit of a contradiction, doesn't it? 00:06:28.939 --> 00:06:33.100 How can a warrior and his war ever be called beautiful? 00:06:33.980 --> 00:06:36.639 How can war ever be beautiful? 00:06:37.680 --> 00:06:39.360 Well, let me take you to Buchenwald. 00:06:39.360 --> 00:06:45.500 Buchenwald, one of the Nazi concentration camps in Germany in the Second World War. 00:06:45.980 --> 00:06:49.300 Jackie and I visited it a few years ago as we traveled through Germany. 00:06:49.800 --> 00:06:54.360 We saw the inhumane conditions that the Jewish prisoners lived in. 00:06:54.840 --> 00:07:01.259 We saw the bear cage beside the wire fence where the Nazis would feed the bears with meat 00:07:01.259 --> 00:07:05.540 to taunt the Jews that the bears were better fed than them. 00:07:06.420 --> 00:07:08.199 We saw the gas chambers. 00:07:08.199 --> 00:07:15.060 We saw an execution chamber where the Nazis for fun would line up the Jews against a wall 00:07:15.060 --> 00:07:18.000 and ask them to look through a hole in the wall. 00:07:18.680 --> 00:07:22.039 And on the other side there were Nazi officers taking shots 00:07:22.039 --> 00:07:25.139 to see who could get a bullet through the hole in the wall. 00:07:26.199 --> 00:07:31.180 I remember we both felt physically sick as we walked around this camp. 00:07:32.539 --> 00:07:36.980 But there was one thing that spoke of freedom from the torment. 00:07:38.199 --> 00:07:41.259 It was the clock at the entrance gate. 00:07:42.120 --> 00:07:44.079 It read 3.15pm. 00:07:45.060 --> 00:07:48.420 It has never read anything else since the end of the war. 00:07:48.420 --> 00:07:57.100 Because that was the time when the American soldiers discovered Buchenwald and released the prisoners from their captivity. 00:07:58.580 --> 00:08:06.280 Now imagine the Jewish prisoners that day seeing American soldiers roll up in their tanks and military vehicles 00:08:06.280 --> 00:08:08.860 and in their uniforms and with their guns. 00:08:08.860 --> 00:08:11.840 These were fighting men. 00:08:11.840 --> 00:08:14.860 Were they horrible men? 00:08:15.720 --> 00:08:17.100 Or beautiful men? 00:08:20.780 --> 00:08:22.180 Beautiful of course. 00:08:22.960 --> 00:08:25.259 Because of what they fought for. 00:08:26.259 --> 00:08:30.780 What did the Second World War look like to those Jewish prisoners? 00:08:30.779 --> 00:08:33.039 A beautiful war. 00:08:35.439 --> 00:08:37.199 Because it was a just war. 00:08:37.639 --> 00:08:38.480 A good war. 00:08:38.639 --> 00:08:42.860 A war that won their freedom from the tyranny of evil men. 00:08:43.259 --> 00:08:46.579 Fighting men can be beautiful men. 00:08:46.580 --> 00:08:50.360 When they have a just and good cause to fight for. 00:08:50.360 --> 00:08:52.900 And that's like this King's War. 00:08:53.680 --> 00:08:59.860 The songwriter celebrates the beauty of this King's War because of what he fights for. 00:09:00.620 --> 00:09:01.259 Verse 4. 00:09:01.759 --> 00:09:09.960 In your majesty ride out victoriously for the cause of truth and meekness and righteousness. 00:09:11.360 --> 00:09:12.100 Do you see that? 00:09:12.560 --> 00:09:15.640 His war is beautiful because of what he fights for. 00:09:15.639 --> 00:09:20.039 He fights to replace lies with truth. 00:09:20.539 --> 00:09:22.120 Pride with humility. 00:09:22.559 --> 00:09:24.439 Wickedness with righteousness. 00:09:26.019 --> 00:09:30.720 But the question is, why is this songwriter speaking of war at all? 00:09:31.340 --> 00:09:33.199 This is a love song, is it not? 00:09:33.319 --> 00:09:34.639 For a royal wedding. 00:09:35.279 --> 00:09:37.639 It's not a military song for battle. 00:09:38.460 --> 00:09:41.399 So why combine war and wedding? 00:09:41.399 --> 00:09:47.340 Well, in the case of King's wedding and war go together. 00:09:47.879 --> 00:09:51.419 Just think about Prince Charles or Prince William on the day of their weddings. 00:09:52.419 --> 00:09:54.759 What did they get married in, if you can remember? 00:09:55.720 --> 00:09:57.299 Their military uniforms. 00:09:57.299 --> 00:09:59.799 Why the military uniform? 00:10:00.539 --> 00:10:04.179 They could have worn a nice set of tails or a nice tuxedo. 00:10:04.819 --> 00:10:06.459 Why the military uniform? 00:10:06.459 --> 00:10:10.839 Well, because for King's wedding and war go together. 00:10:11.599 --> 00:10:17.240 The defense of the realm is linked to the continuation of the royal line. 00:10:17.799 --> 00:10:19.959 Kings are called to defend their kingdom. 00:10:19.960 --> 00:10:24.440 And one of the ways they do that is by extending their kindred. 00:10:25.639 --> 00:10:32.780 If you have no kindred, no offspring, then when you die the enemy comes in and takes over your kingdom. 00:10:33.400 --> 00:10:36.879 Wedding and war, when you're a king, go together. 00:10:36.879 --> 00:10:43.000 And that's why the songwriter includes this aspect of the king's beauty in his wedding song. 00:10:43.379 --> 00:10:50.100 Because the establishment of this king's kingdom will be connected to his marriage, to his bride. 00:10:51.159 --> 00:10:56.320 It's why there's such interest in Prince William and Prince George. 00:10:56.860 --> 00:11:02.200 Because Prince George symbolizes the future of the British Empire. 00:11:02.200 --> 00:11:05.120 They ensure the Queen's dynasty. 00:11:05.280 --> 00:11:09.660 They ensure that the British Empire will continue to stand. 00:11:10.020 --> 00:11:13.259 To stand for goodness, for truth, for justice. 00:11:13.920 --> 00:11:16.660 And if we're going to grasp the beauty of this king this morning, 00:11:16.940 --> 00:11:20.000 we need to see him as a fighting king. 00:11:20.940 --> 00:11:22.940 Not just a forgiving king. 00:11:23.740 --> 00:11:25.620 He's a forgiving king, yes. 00:11:26.200 --> 00:11:27.780 He's also a fighting king. 00:11:28.200 --> 00:11:30.980 Who is about to get married. 00:11:30.980 --> 00:11:33.340 And that's what makes him beautiful. 00:11:33.800 --> 00:11:34.420 His war. 00:11:34.820 --> 00:11:36.259 There's the beauty of his words. 00:11:36.519 --> 00:11:38.700 And there's the beauty of his war. 00:11:38.860 --> 00:11:41.940 And third, there's the beauty of his rule. 00:11:42.600 --> 00:11:45.360 The beauty of his rule, verse 6 to 7. 00:11:46.000 --> 00:11:49.340 Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. 00:11:49.460 --> 00:11:52.960 The scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of righteousness. 00:11:53.779 --> 00:11:57.860 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness. 00:11:57.860 --> 00:12:01.600 The king's throne is an eternal throne. 00:12:01.680 --> 00:12:03.840 The last forever, verse 6. 00:12:03.899 --> 00:12:06.720 Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. 00:12:07.840 --> 00:12:12.560 Now addressing the king as God is not entirely out of place in the Old Testament. 00:12:12.840 --> 00:12:16.500 Since the king was called God's son in Psalm 2. 00:12:16.740 --> 00:12:19.000 He had divine-like status. 00:12:19.159 --> 00:12:22.420 His rule was to feel like God's rule. 00:12:22.419 --> 00:12:27.019 And that's because of the kind of kingdom he establishes, verse 6. 00:12:27.339 --> 00:12:28.959 A kingdom of uprightness. 00:12:29.519 --> 00:12:31.759 His rule is founded in the right. 00:12:31.899 --> 00:12:33.179 It maintains the right. 00:12:33.519 --> 00:12:34.860 It promotes the right. 00:12:35.699 --> 00:12:37.779 He's no usurper or oppressor. 00:12:37.860 --> 00:12:40.919 He is a good king who stands for righteousness. 00:12:42.019 --> 00:12:45.319 And this is because of the kind of person he is, verse 7. 00:12:45.320 --> 00:12:50.240 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness. 00:12:50.620 --> 00:12:52.180 There's no neutrality in him. 00:12:52.620 --> 00:12:57.840 He understands the great antithesis in the world between righteousness and wickedness. 00:12:58.360 --> 00:13:02.080 And he loves the one and he hates the other. 00:13:03.160 --> 00:13:08.220 This is what serves as the foundation to the kingdom of uprightness. 00:13:08.220 --> 00:13:09.840 His moral compass. 00:13:10.879 --> 00:13:13.139 His moral affection for good. 00:13:13.560 --> 00:13:15.960 His moral disaffection for evil. 00:13:16.800 --> 00:13:20.660 In other words, this king's beauty is not so much outward. 00:13:21.840 --> 00:13:22.600 It's inward. 00:13:23.420 --> 00:13:24.840 We look on the outside. 00:13:25.600 --> 00:13:26.840 On the outward appearance. 00:13:27.000 --> 00:13:30.220 This songwriter is looking on his heart. 00:13:31.019 --> 00:13:35.300 And what he sees is a man who loves righteousness. 00:13:35.960 --> 00:13:37.540 And hates wickedness. 00:13:39.180 --> 00:13:42.379 And just as there was a reward for the beauty of his words. 00:13:43.060 --> 00:13:46.180 In verse 2, he was eternally blessed by God. 00:13:46.560 --> 00:13:50.820 So now there's a reward for the beauty of his war and rule. 00:13:51.779 --> 00:13:53.360 You see that in verse 7. 00:13:54.040 --> 00:14:02.080 Therefore, your God, God your God has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions. 00:14:02.500 --> 00:14:04.800 He is joyfully anointed. 00:14:05.500 --> 00:14:06.720 Coronated as king. 00:14:06.720 --> 00:14:11.080 Anointing here speaks of some kind of ceremonial occasion. 00:14:11.600 --> 00:14:15.019 Perhaps his coronation following his victories in battle. 00:14:15.019 --> 00:14:17.220 But the sounding note. 00:14:17.220 --> 00:14:18.439 Do you see it? 00:14:18.799 --> 00:14:19.980 It's gladness. 00:14:20.939 --> 00:14:23.639 For his love of righteousness and hate of wickedness. 00:14:24.139 --> 00:14:27.879 For his war on lies, pride and wickedness. 00:14:28.139 --> 00:14:31.000 In the name of truth, humility and righteousness. 00:14:31.579 --> 00:14:37.259 This king gets to be the happiest man on earth. 00:14:37.259 --> 00:14:40.439 The happiest man who has ever lived. 00:14:40.439 --> 00:14:43.879 Which is a nice reward if you've just been at war. 00:14:44.679 --> 00:14:47.480 The note of gladness is there with the oil. 00:14:48.480 --> 00:14:52.419 But also with the smell of the nice fragrances on his clothes. 00:14:52.539 --> 00:14:53.659 Verse 7. 00:14:54.100 --> 00:14:56.100 Myrrh and aloes and cassia. 00:14:56.100 --> 00:15:00.860 Then there's the music echoing through his ivory palaces. 00:15:01.040 --> 00:15:01.639 Verse 8. 00:15:02.200 --> 00:15:03.720 And the guests in attention. 00:15:03.879 --> 00:15:04.500 Verse 9. 00:15:05.000 --> 00:15:08.500 Royal daughters of other kings come to honour his beauty. 00:15:09.019 --> 00:15:10.019 And then there's the queen. 00:15:11.139 --> 00:15:13.100 Now the queen here might be his bride. 00:15:13.100 --> 00:15:15.500 Or it might be his mother. 00:15:16.019 --> 00:15:16.800 The queen mother. 00:15:17.440 --> 00:15:20.560 Who herself is decked out in the finest gold available. 00:15:21.480 --> 00:15:23.139 If the queen is the bride. 00:15:23.300 --> 00:15:26.820 Then the songwriter sort of fast forwards proceedings. 00:15:27.040 --> 00:15:30.240 And gives us a snapshot of the king in his palace. 00:15:30.720 --> 00:15:32.720 With his new bride on his right arm. 00:15:33.379 --> 00:15:34.840 But I don't think that's the case. 00:15:34.920 --> 00:15:35.960 I think if that's the case. 00:15:36.259 --> 00:15:38.340 It breaks the flow of the psalm. 00:15:38.920 --> 00:15:41.139 The wedding has not yet taken place. 00:15:41.139 --> 00:15:44.259 The bride doesn't enter until verse 13. 00:15:44.939 --> 00:15:48.580 All glorious is the princess in her chamber. 00:15:49.100 --> 00:15:51.299 With robes interwoven with gold. 00:15:51.840 --> 00:15:54.919 And many coloured robes she is led to the king. 00:15:55.379 --> 00:15:58.759 With her virgin companions following behind her. 00:15:59.259 --> 00:15:59.659 Do you see? 00:16:00.120 --> 00:16:01.559 I think it breaks the flow. 00:16:01.679 --> 00:16:02.620 I don't think it's the bride. 00:16:02.699 --> 00:16:03.960 I think it's the queen mother. 00:16:06.039 --> 00:16:09.019 She's the one waiting at the side of her son. 00:16:09.019 --> 00:16:11.639 Before the bride enters. 00:16:13.000 --> 00:16:15.100 But in either case we get the picture. 00:16:15.240 --> 00:16:15.720 The oil. 00:16:15.899 --> 00:16:16.539 The clothes. 00:16:16.679 --> 00:16:17.299 The smell. 00:16:17.819 --> 00:16:18.779 The ivory palace. 00:16:18.980 --> 00:16:19.480 The music. 00:16:19.679 --> 00:16:21.240 The beautiful ladies in the room. 00:16:21.519 --> 00:16:22.419 The queen mother. 00:16:22.860 --> 00:16:24.899 Decked out in the finest gold. 00:16:25.019 --> 00:16:26.699 That's the gold of Ophir. 00:16:27.639 --> 00:16:31.360 It's a picture of perfect joy and gladness. 00:16:31.360 --> 00:16:32.820 Isn't it? 00:16:33.940 --> 00:16:34.720 Or is it? 00:16:36.519 --> 00:16:38.399 Boys and girls you can help me here. 00:16:38.980 --> 00:16:41.220 Why is this picture of this beautiful king. 00:16:41.399 --> 00:16:43.519 With his beautiful smelling clothes. 00:16:43.639 --> 00:16:45.259 And his ivory palace. 00:16:45.399 --> 00:16:46.500 With the music playing. 00:16:47.000 --> 00:16:49.379 And the beautiful ladies surrounding him. 00:16:49.580 --> 00:16:52.620 Why is this not the perfect picture. 00:16:53.060 --> 00:16:54.560 Of joy and gladness? 00:16:56.480 --> 00:16:57.300 Who's missing? 00:16:57.299 --> 00:17:00.319 It's the bride isn't it? 00:17:01.279 --> 00:17:02.679 You can't have a love song. 00:17:02.759 --> 00:17:04.859 About the most beautiful man in the world. 00:17:05.159 --> 00:17:07.299 The most handsome of the sons of men. 00:17:07.960 --> 00:17:09.119 And he's on his own. 00:17:10.500 --> 00:17:11.879 He has to get married. 00:17:12.819 --> 00:17:14.019 As Jane Austen put it. 00:17:14.059 --> 00:17:14.819 It is a truth. 00:17:15.480 --> 00:17:16.460 Universally acknowledged. 00:17:16.599 --> 00:17:19.119 That a single man in possession of a good fortune. 00:17:19.779 --> 00:17:21.379 Is in want of a wife. 00:17:21.380 --> 00:17:25.840 And this king is in possession of a good fortune. 00:17:26.000 --> 00:17:27.820 Having won his battles. 00:17:28.520 --> 00:17:31.120 Having access to the gold of Ophir. 00:17:31.760 --> 00:17:34.120 And he's in want of a wife. 00:17:35.800 --> 00:17:37.860 And so we're waiting for the bride to walk in. 00:17:39.060 --> 00:17:40.880 And that's what we'd expect to happen next. 00:17:40.940 --> 00:17:41.840 In verse 10 right. 00:17:41.960 --> 00:17:43.180 He's sitting in his chamber. 00:17:44.000 --> 00:17:44.720 Everything's ready. 00:17:44.840 --> 00:17:45.840 The music's playing. 00:17:45.980 --> 00:17:46.660 He's waiting. 00:17:47.460 --> 00:17:49.660 And you expect it to go to verse 13. 00:17:49.660 --> 00:17:52.040 All glorious is the princess. 00:17:52.740 --> 00:17:54.860 As she is led to the king. 00:17:55.140 --> 00:17:55.640 But no. 00:17:56.240 --> 00:17:57.000 Verse 10. 00:17:58.940 --> 00:18:00.040 Hear oh daughter. 00:18:00.220 --> 00:18:02.300 And consider and incline your ear. 00:18:02.880 --> 00:18:03.980 Forget your people. 00:18:04.160 --> 00:18:05.300 And your father's house. 00:18:05.900 --> 00:18:07.920 And the king will desire your beauty. 00:18:08.640 --> 00:18:10.180 Since he is your lord. 00:18:10.380 --> 00:18:11.160 Bow to him. 00:18:11.880 --> 00:18:13.040 The people of Tyre. 00:18:13.220 --> 00:18:14.759 Will seek your favor with gifts. 00:18:15.380 --> 00:18:17.320 The riches of the people. 00:18:17.319 --> 00:18:21.799 If this man is the most beautiful of men. 00:18:21.879 --> 00:18:22.679 With a good fortune. 00:18:22.879 --> 00:18:24.559 Surely the bride's on her way. 00:18:25.279 --> 00:18:27.539 Surely she can't wait to marry the king. 00:18:28.639 --> 00:18:30.379 But did you see the surprise there. 00:18:30.480 --> 00:18:31.619 In verse 10 to 12. 00:18:32.460 --> 00:18:34.119 Sounds like she's not coming. 00:18:34.279 --> 00:18:35.099 She's hesitating. 00:18:35.259 --> 00:18:37.299 She's having second thoughts. 00:18:38.000 --> 00:18:40.839 Notice again the four rapid commands. 00:18:40.980 --> 00:18:41.700 In verse 10. 00:18:42.439 --> 00:18:43.039 Consider. 00:18:43.039 --> 00:18:43.159 Consider. 00:18:44.240 --> 00:18:44.720 Incline. 00:18:45.079 --> 00:18:45.399 Forget. 00:18:46.180 --> 00:18:46.680 Hear. 00:18:47.259 --> 00:18:47.920 Oh daughter. 00:18:48.940 --> 00:18:49.440 Hear. 00:18:49.680 --> 00:18:50.119 Consider. 00:18:50.420 --> 00:18:50.879 Incline. 00:18:51.019 --> 00:18:51.279 Forget. 00:18:51.639 --> 00:18:53.539 It's an exhortation to the bride. 00:18:53.680 --> 00:18:54.700 To not delay. 00:18:55.480 --> 00:18:56.559 To not look back. 00:18:56.659 --> 00:18:57.839 To not be distracted. 00:18:58.220 --> 00:18:58.879 To come. 00:18:59.339 --> 00:19:00.619 To the wedding of her king. 00:19:02.019 --> 00:19:03.759 This is the tense part of any wedding. 00:19:03.859 --> 00:19:04.200 Isn't it? 00:19:04.599 --> 00:19:05.180 The beginning. 00:19:05.859 --> 00:19:08.019 Will the bride actually turn up? 00:19:09.079 --> 00:19:10.139 In our culture. 00:19:10.319 --> 00:19:10.960 That's the tradition. 00:19:11.079 --> 00:19:11.319 Isn't it? 00:19:11.319 --> 00:19:13.000 She's supposed to be a little bit late. 00:19:14.259 --> 00:19:15.460 Adds to the tension. 00:19:15.639 --> 00:19:16.980 Will she follow through. 00:19:17.240 --> 00:19:18.299 With her commitment. 00:19:18.480 --> 00:19:19.379 To marry the man. 00:19:19.460 --> 00:19:20.519 Who proposed to her. 00:19:20.859 --> 00:19:22.299 Who put an engagement ring. 00:19:22.299 --> 00:19:23.000 On her finger. 00:19:23.700 --> 00:19:25.319 Or will she back out? 00:19:26.939 --> 00:19:27.720 And that's a bit like. 00:19:27.799 --> 00:19:28.740 What's going on here. 00:19:28.819 --> 00:19:29.599 It's as if she's. 00:19:29.980 --> 00:19:31.119 Feeling the weight. 00:19:31.679 --> 00:19:33.039 Of what she's about to do. 00:19:33.179 --> 00:19:33.700 And perhaps. 00:19:34.419 --> 00:19:35.819 Feeling slightly unsure. 00:19:35.960 --> 00:19:37.220 Perhaps having sideways. 00:19:37.779 --> 00:19:39.000 Glances at other men. 00:19:39.119 --> 00:19:39.720 She knows. 00:19:39.720 --> 00:19:41.279 Because getting married. 00:19:41.279 --> 00:19:42.759 Is a lifelong commitment. 00:19:42.759 --> 00:19:43.799 To one person. 00:19:44.519 --> 00:19:45.720 And it's a big commitment. 00:19:46.279 --> 00:19:47.620 Especially for a girl. 00:19:48.539 --> 00:19:49.420 The Anglican book. 00:19:49.480 --> 00:19:50.240 Of common prayer. 00:19:50.400 --> 00:19:51.420 Says that marriage. 00:19:51.740 --> 00:19:52.839 Is not to be entered. 00:19:53.440 --> 00:19:53.960 Inadvisedly. 00:19:54.900 --> 00:19:55.420 Lightly. 00:19:55.860 --> 00:19:57.019 Or wantonly. 00:19:58.019 --> 00:19:58.519 Why? 00:19:58.799 --> 00:19:59.620 Because marriage. 00:19:59.720 --> 00:20:01.100 Is a big deal. 00:20:01.779 --> 00:20:02.299 And I think. 00:20:02.380 --> 00:20:03.140 That most couples. 00:20:03.839 --> 00:20:04.600 Have moments. 00:20:04.700 --> 00:20:05.519 When the weight. 00:20:06.000 --> 00:20:07.240 Of what they're about to do. 00:20:07.240 --> 00:20:08.240 In their courtship. 00:20:08.299 --> 00:20:09.359 Or in their engagement. 00:20:09.819 --> 00:20:10.400 Hits them. 00:20:11.079 --> 00:20:11.759 A lot of couples. 00:20:11.859 --> 00:20:12.299 I know. 00:20:12.400 --> 00:20:13.620 Who are happily married now. 00:20:14.099 --> 00:20:14.960 Had wobbles. 00:20:15.039 --> 00:20:16.400 In their engagement period. 00:20:16.900 --> 00:20:17.700 Or courtship. 00:20:18.160 --> 00:20:18.799 Jackie and I. 00:20:18.839 --> 00:20:19.480 Were no different. 00:20:19.920 --> 00:20:20.940 We had a wee wobble. 00:20:21.980 --> 00:20:23.599 I still try to tell myself. 00:20:23.740 --> 00:20:24.680 That Jackie had the wobble. 00:20:24.759 --> 00:20:25.920 Because she was feeling weak. 00:20:25.920 --> 00:20:26.680 At the knees. 00:20:27.319 --> 00:20:28.259 Because she couldn't believe. 00:20:28.259 --> 00:20:28.720 Her luck. 00:20:28.799 --> 00:20:29.400 But. 00:20:30.720 --> 00:20:32.579 The Jackie side of the story. 00:20:32.940 --> 00:20:34.099 Is that marrying me. 00:20:34.240 --> 00:20:35.059 Was a big deal. 00:20:35.059 --> 00:20:36.879 Because marrying me. 00:20:37.139 --> 00:20:38.599 Meant leaving her family. 00:20:39.079 --> 00:20:40.159 Who she had lived with. 00:20:40.200 --> 00:20:41.659 Up until the age of 21. 00:20:42.480 --> 00:20:43.960 And leaving her country. 00:20:44.960 --> 00:20:46.019 No small thing. 00:20:46.139 --> 00:20:46.940 For a young girl. 00:20:48.099 --> 00:20:49.279 If you're married. 00:20:50.000 --> 00:20:50.599 Internationally. 00:20:50.679 --> 00:20:51.559 Or cross culturally. 00:20:51.740 --> 00:20:53.119 Then you know exactly. 00:20:53.240 --> 00:20:54.399 How we both felt. 00:20:54.980 --> 00:20:55.799 It involves. 00:20:55.799 --> 00:20:56.720 At least one of you. 00:20:56.799 --> 00:20:57.740 Leaving your family. 00:20:57.960 --> 00:20:58.659 And your country. 00:20:59.539 --> 00:21:00.940 Marriage is a big deal. 00:21:01.079 --> 00:21:01.779 And it was the same. 00:21:01.899 --> 00:21:02.639 For this bride. 00:21:02.640 --> 00:21:05.240 She's clearly from another country. 00:21:05.780 --> 00:21:06.960 From another people. 00:21:07.280 --> 00:21:08.420 She clearly lives at home. 00:21:08.480 --> 00:21:09.220 With her father. 00:21:09.340 --> 00:21:10.040 And her family. 00:21:10.540 --> 00:21:11.580 Leaving her home. 00:21:11.620 --> 00:21:12.480 And her country. 00:21:13.259 --> 00:21:14.380 Was a big deal. 00:21:14.940 --> 00:21:16.000 And that's why there's this. 00:21:16.200 --> 00:21:17.500 Interlude in this song. 00:21:17.960 --> 00:21:19.180 That's why the songwriter. 00:21:19.320 --> 00:21:20.840 Sort of stops the flow. 00:21:21.420 --> 00:21:22.300 Of the song. 00:21:22.360 --> 00:21:22.980 Of the wedding. 00:21:23.640 --> 00:21:24.660 And pauses. 00:21:24.820 --> 00:21:25.700 To exhort. 00:21:25.840 --> 00:21:26.520 The bride. 00:21:28.040 --> 00:21:29.380 To come to the wedding. 00:21:29.380 --> 00:21:31.840 And he exhorts her. 00:21:31.920 --> 00:21:32.480 By giving her. 00:21:32.640 --> 00:21:33.380 Some motivation. 00:21:34.480 --> 00:21:35.120 You see that. 00:21:35.160 --> 00:21:36.440 If she leaves her father. 00:21:36.440 --> 00:21:37.340 And family. 00:21:37.580 --> 00:21:39.000 To cleave to the king. 00:21:39.560 --> 00:21:40.260 The king. 00:21:40.560 --> 00:21:41.800 Will desire. 00:21:42.140 --> 00:21:42.800 Her beauty. 00:21:43.660 --> 00:21:44.100 She. 00:21:44.340 --> 00:21:45.080 Will become. 00:21:45.200 --> 00:21:45.680 The center. 00:21:45.800 --> 00:21:46.640 Of his attention. 00:21:47.100 --> 00:21:48.360 He might be the center. 00:21:48.620 --> 00:21:49.280 Of attention. 00:21:49.460 --> 00:21:50.080 In this song. 00:21:50.340 --> 00:21:50.900 But she. 00:21:51.020 --> 00:21:51.920 Will become the center. 00:21:52.020 --> 00:21:52.860 Of his attention. 00:21:53.520 --> 00:21:54.300 If she leaves. 00:21:54.400 --> 00:21:54.980 Her father. 00:21:55.080 --> 00:21:55.600 And family. 00:21:55.720 --> 00:21:56.480 She will come under. 00:21:56.840 --> 00:21:57.740 His authority. 00:21:57.740 --> 00:21:58.800 As her lord. 00:21:58.799 --> 00:22:00.159 Nothing bad. 00:22:00.159 --> 00:22:00.680 About that. 00:22:00.799 --> 00:22:01.480 If he is a man. 00:22:01.559 --> 00:22:02.059 Of truth. 00:22:02.359 --> 00:22:02.859 Humility. 00:22:03.460 --> 00:22:04.180 And righteousness. 00:22:05.099 --> 00:22:05.700 If she leaves. 00:22:05.779 --> 00:22:06.279 Her father. 00:22:06.419 --> 00:22:06.940 And family. 00:22:07.220 --> 00:22:07.759 She will become. 00:22:07.839 --> 00:22:08.139 A woman. 00:22:08.259 --> 00:22:09.240 Of influence. 00:22:10.200 --> 00:22:10.720 Tyre. 00:22:10.899 --> 00:22:11.599 Was the most. 00:22:11.779 --> 00:22:12.859 Prosperous neighbor. 00:22:13.180 --> 00:22:13.740 To Israel. 00:22:14.139 --> 00:22:14.740 The richest. 00:22:15.180 --> 00:22:15.839 Of the peoples. 00:22:16.619 --> 00:22:17.119 Especially. 00:22:17.240 --> 00:22:18.180 In Solomon's day. 00:22:18.700 --> 00:22:19.259 Yet the people. 00:22:19.440 --> 00:22:20.240 From Tyre. 00:22:20.659 --> 00:22:21.440 Will come. 00:22:21.619 --> 00:22:22.180 To her. 00:22:22.839 --> 00:22:23.500 For favor. 00:22:24.079 --> 00:22:24.759 It's a bit like. 00:22:24.819 --> 00:22:25.220 Kate. 00:22:25.220 --> 00:22:26.059 The Duchess. 00:22:26.099 --> 00:22:26.759 Of Cambridge. 00:22:27.339 --> 00:22:27.680 Do you remember. 00:22:27.859 --> 00:22:28.119 When her. 00:22:28.220 --> 00:22:28.579 And William. 00:22:28.579 --> 00:22:29.699 Had their wee wobble. 00:22:30.500 --> 00:22:31.099 They broke up. 00:22:31.199 --> 00:22:31.799 For a time. 00:22:31.939 --> 00:22:32.179 Well. 00:22:32.279 --> 00:22:32.879 Let's imagine. 00:22:32.960 --> 00:22:33.519 They'd never. 00:22:33.659 --> 00:22:34.480 Gotten married. 00:22:35.619 --> 00:22:36.139 Do you think. 00:22:36.199 --> 00:22:36.539 Kate. 00:22:36.599 --> 00:22:37.339 Would have been asked. 00:22:37.419 --> 00:22:38.399 To open hospitals. 00:22:38.939 --> 00:22:40.439 Attend charity balls. 00:22:40.899 --> 00:22:42.179 If she just remained. 00:22:42.179 --> 00:22:43.059 Kate Middleton. 00:22:43.559 --> 00:22:44.319 Or married. 00:22:44.439 --> 00:22:45.039 Someone else. 00:22:46.319 --> 00:22:46.839 No. 00:22:46.919 --> 00:22:47.759 It was her marriage. 00:22:47.759 --> 00:22:48.859 To Prince William. 00:22:49.419 --> 00:22:50.099 That made her. 00:22:50.240 --> 00:22:51.199 A woman of influence. 00:22:51.759 --> 00:22:53.039 For good causes. 00:22:53.879 --> 00:22:54.359 Perhaps. 00:22:54.460 --> 00:22:55.139 That was one of her. 00:22:55.199 --> 00:22:56.220 Motivating factors. 00:22:56.220 --> 00:22:57.079 Not a bad. 00:22:57.079 --> 00:22:58.120 Motivating factor. 00:22:58.600 --> 00:22:59.519 Along with her. 00:22:59.900 --> 00:23:00.400 With William. 00:23:00.539 --> 00:23:01.680 Desiring her beauty. 00:23:02.759 --> 00:23:03.720 And we all know. 00:23:03.839 --> 00:23:04.279 What happened. 00:23:04.559 --> 00:23:05.500 In that royal wedding. 00:23:05.640 --> 00:23:06.299 William and Kate. 00:23:06.380 --> 00:23:07.660 Got over their wobbles. 00:23:07.779 --> 00:23:08.920 She came to the church. 00:23:10.000 --> 00:23:11.360 And so does this bride. 00:23:11.819 --> 00:23:12.600 Verse 13. 00:23:12.599 --> 00:23:14.559 All glorious. 00:23:14.559 --> 00:23:15.939 Is the princess. 00:23:16.319 --> 00:23:17.000 In her chamber. 00:23:17.179 --> 00:23:17.939 With robes. 00:23:18.059 --> 00:23:19.559 Interwoven with gold. 00:23:20.279 --> 00:23:21.699 In many colored robes. 00:23:21.759 --> 00:23:22.899 She is led to the king. 00:23:23.279 --> 00:23:25.139 With her virgin companions. 00:23:25.339 --> 00:23:26.439 Following behind her. 00:23:26.799 --> 00:23:27.579 With joy. 00:23:27.819 --> 00:23:28.599 And gladness. 00:23:28.719 --> 00:23:29.839 They are led along. 00:23:30.459 --> 00:23:31.879 As they enter the palace. 00:23:32.439 --> 00:23:33.159 Of the king. 00:23:34.419 --> 00:23:35.419 This brings us. 00:23:35.500 --> 00:23:36.759 To the fourth way. 00:23:36.859 --> 00:23:37.299 We see. 00:23:37.500 --> 00:23:38.719 The beauty of this king. 00:23:39.199 --> 00:23:40.039 His bride. 00:23:40.819 --> 00:23:42.179 The beauty of his words. 00:23:42.180 --> 00:23:43.400 The beauty of his war. 00:23:43.560 --> 00:23:44.480 The beauty of his rule. 00:23:44.560 --> 00:23:45.019 And here. 00:23:45.720 --> 00:23:46.420 The beauty. 00:23:47.180 --> 00:23:48.279 Of his bride. 00:23:49.660 --> 00:23:50.380 But notice. 00:23:50.500 --> 00:23:51.140 Where her beauty. 00:23:51.279 --> 00:23:51.900 Comes from. 00:23:52.680 --> 00:23:53.340 The only thing. 00:23:53.420 --> 00:23:54.340 We are told about her. 00:23:55.120 --> 00:23:56.259 Is her dress. 00:23:56.620 --> 00:23:57.860 We are not told about her hair. 00:23:58.100 --> 00:23:59.799 We are not told about the color of her eyes. 00:24:00.700 --> 00:24:02.700 We are only told about her dress. 00:24:02.840 --> 00:24:03.759 It is multicolored. 00:24:03.900 --> 00:24:05.640 And it is interwoven with gold. 00:24:07.160 --> 00:24:07.860 Which means. 00:24:07.940 --> 00:24:09.240 She could only have received that. 00:24:09.340 --> 00:24:10.420 From the king himself. 00:24:10.820 --> 00:24:11.840 Gold was the most. 00:24:11.839 --> 00:24:13.559 Expensive material. 00:24:13.559 --> 00:24:14.799 The gold of Ophir. 00:24:14.919 --> 00:24:15.500 Verse 9. 00:24:16.059 --> 00:24:16.959 Only kings. 00:24:16.959 --> 00:24:18.619 Could afford to buy gold. 00:24:19.139 --> 00:24:20.279 In the ancient Near East. 00:24:20.399 --> 00:24:21.639 And to wear clothes. 00:24:22.039 --> 00:24:23.059 With gold in them. 00:24:23.500 --> 00:24:23.959 Which means. 00:24:24.059 --> 00:24:24.779 Her robes. 00:24:24.879 --> 00:24:26.319 Have been given to her. 00:24:26.819 --> 00:24:27.740 By her groom. 00:24:28.259 --> 00:24:30.339 She couldn't have afforded this dress. 00:24:30.679 --> 00:24:31.359 Her beauty. 00:24:31.539 --> 00:24:32.519 Is given to her. 00:24:32.899 --> 00:24:34.299 By her husband to be. 00:24:34.579 --> 00:24:35.619 She looks beautiful. 00:24:36.319 --> 00:24:37.599 But only because of him. 00:24:37.599 --> 00:24:41.619 And this focus on the bridegroom. 00:24:41.619 --> 00:24:42.419 And his beauty. 00:24:42.419 --> 00:24:42.619 Returns. 00:24:42.619 --> 00:24:45.379 In the closing verses here. 00:24:46.319 --> 00:24:47.419 Verse 16. 00:24:48.419 --> 00:24:49.879 In place of your fathers. 00:24:50.319 --> 00:24:51.639 Shall be your sons. 00:24:52.279 --> 00:24:53.480 You will make them princes. 00:24:53.480 --> 00:24:54.480 In all the earth. 00:24:54.819 --> 00:24:55.619 Here is the fifth. 00:24:56.099 --> 00:24:57.279 Beauty of this king. 00:24:57.399 --> 00:24:57.839 The beauty. 00:24:58.319 --> 00:24:59.719 Of his posterity. 00:25:00.519 --> 00:25:02.279 The beauty of his posterity. 00:25:02.279 --> 00:25:05.480 This is. 00:25:06.359 --> 00:25:07.359 This is a bit like. 00:25:07.480 --> 00:25:08.660 The best man's toast. 00:25:08.940 --> 00:25:10.059 At the wedding reception. 00:25:10.460 --> 00:25:11.079 Only this is. 00:25:11.299 --> 00:25:12.639 Not his best wishes. 00:25:12.639 --> 00:25:13.420 For the groom. 00:25:13.859 --> 00:25:14.440 But rather. 00:25:14.680 --> 00:25:15.899 A prophetic prediction. 00:25:15.899 --> 00:25:16.839 About the groom. 00:25:17.379 --> 00:25:17.920 The your. 00:25:18.200 --> 00:25:19.240 In verse 16. 00:25:19.379 --> 00:25:20.019 In place of. 00:25:20.440 --> 00:25:21.379 Your fathers. 00:25:21.759 --> 00:25:23.119 Shall be your sons. 00:25:23.460 --> 00:25:24.220 Is singular. 00:25:25.680 --> 00:25:26.680 The bride. 00:25:26.779 --> 00:25:27.660 Is just being led. 00:25:27.940 --> 00:25:28.500 To the king. 00:25:28.559 --> 00:25:29.339 And you would expect. 00:25:29.720 --> 00:25:30.500 Verse 16. 00:25:30.599 --> 00:25:30.899 To say. 00:25:31.000 --> 00:25:31.420 In place. 00:25:31.420 --> 00:25:32.820 Of yours. 00:25:33.460 --> 00:25:34.060 Fathers. 00:25:34.900 --> 00:25:35.880 And yours. 00:25:36.360 --> 00:25:36.720 Sons. 00:25:37.160 --> 00:25:38.120 The two of you. 00:25:38.759 --> 00:25:39.240 But no. 00:25:40.019 --> 00:25:40.720 It's in the place. 00:25:40.759 --> 00:25:41.660 Of the king's. 00:25:42.060 --> 00:25:42.420 Fathers. 00:25:43.000 --> 00:25:43.940 Shall be his. 00:25:44.500 --> 00:25:44.920 Sons. 00:25:45.960 --> 00:25:47.380 He will make them princes. 00:25:47.980 --> 00:25:48.940 In all the earth. 00:25:49.920 --> 00:25:50.880 The beauty here. 00:25:51.019 --> 00:25:51.860 Is that this king. 00:25:51.940 --> 00:25:53.140 Has a posterity. 00:25:54.279 --> 00:25:54.800 He has. 00:25:55.240 --> 00:25:55.759 Sons. 00:25:56.140 --> 00:25:57.060 And he has sons. 00:25:57.140 --> 00:25:57.880 Who will rule. 00:25:58.340 --> 00:25:58.840 The earth. 00:25:58.839 --> 00:26:01.759 That's the fifth way. 00:26:01.839 --> 00:26:02.599 We see the beauty. 00:26:03.179 --> 00:26:04.059 Of this king. 00:26:04.619 --> 00:26:05.579 And then finally. 00:26:05.579 --> 00:26:06.179 Sick. 00:26:06.379 --> 00:26:07.819 The beauty of his praise. 00:26:08.439 --> 00:26:09.740 The beauty of his praise. 00:26:09.899 --> 00:26:10.579 Verse 17. 00:26:11.419 --> 00:26:12.359 I will cause. 00:26:12.879 --> 00:26:13.419 Your name. 00:26:13.619 --> 00:26:14.399 To be remembered. 00:26:15.139 --> 00:26:15.579 In all generations. 00:26:16.619 --> 00:26:17.059 Therefore. 00:26:17.779 --> 00:26:18.759 There's the third. 00:26:18.959 --> 00:26:19.419 Therefore. 00:26:19.659 --> 00:26:20.099 Therefore. 00:26:20.939 --> 00:26:21.419 Nations. 00:26:21.539 --> 00:26:22.399 Will praise you. 00:26:22.980 --> 00:26:23.819 Forever and ever. 00:26:23.819 --> 00:26:28.319 Boys and girls. 00:26:28.579 --> 00:26:29.139 At present. 00:26:29.240 --> 00:26:29.759 When we sing. 00:26:29.839 --> 00:26:30.659 The national anthem. 00:26:31.139 --> 00:26:31.679 In the UK. 00:26:31.679 --> 00:26:32.339 We're singing. 00:26:32.460 --> 00:26:33.139 About the queen. 00:26:33.759 --> 00:26:35.079 God save our. 00:26:35.639 --> 00:26:36.639 Gracious queen. 00:26:37.139 --> 00:26:37.939 But one day. 00:26:38.500 --> 00:26:39.460 In your lifetime. 00:26:40.159 --> 00:26:40.659 You'll sing. 00:26:40.659 --> 00:26:41.939 A different national anthem. 00:26:42.419 --> 00:26:42.879 One day. 00:26:42.980 --> 00:26:43.299 The queen. 00:26:43.419 --> 00:26:43.899 Will die. 00:26:44.299 --> 00:26:45.159 And prince Charles. 00:26:45.259 --> 00:26:45.919 Or prince William. 00:26:46.139 --> 00:26:47.099 Will sit on the throne. 00:26:47.500 --> 00:26:48.339 And when they do. 00:26:48.679 --> 00:26:49.700 Then the national anthem. 00:26:49.700 --> 00:26:50.319 Will change. 00:26:50.419 --> 00:26:51.419 We'll no longer sing. 00:26:51.519 --> 00:26:52.439 God save our. 00:26:52.519 --> 00:26:53.359 Gracious queen. 00:26:53.359 --> 00:26:53.959 Will sing. 00:26:54.299 --> 00:26:55.479 God save our. 00:26:55.559 --> 00:26:56.079 Gracious. 00:26:56.599 --> 00:26:56.939 King. 00:26:57.599 --> 00:26:58.019 Why? 00:26:58.199 --> 00:26:59.079 Because the queen. 00:26:59.199 --> 00:27:00.019 Will be dead. 00:27:00.619 --> 00:27:01.899 And we'll have a new king. 00:27:02.299 --> 00:27:03.019 Prince Charles. 00:27:03.079 --> 00:27:03.799 Or prince William. 00:27:04.159 --> 00:27:05.679 Will be king Charles. 00:27:05.859 --> 00:27:06.599 King William. 00:27:06.740 --> 00:27:07.839 And we will praise. 00:27:08.179 --> 00:27:08.459 Him. 00:27:08.559 --> 00:27:09.279 We will sing. 00:27:09.599 --> 00:27:10.119 To God. 00:27:10.179 --> 00:27:11.179 About him. 00:27:11.599 --> 00:27:12.319 Not the queen. 00:27:13.379 --> 00:27:14.559 But that will never. 00:27:14.779 --> 00:27:15.959 Happen to this king. 00:27:16.059 --> 00:27:16.939 In psalm 45. 00:27:17.179 --> 00:27:17.979 Did you see that? 00:27:18.459 --> 00:27:19.419 The songs. 00:27:19.419 --> 00:27:20.959 Will not be about him. 00:27:21.259 --> 00:27:22.639 And then his children. 00:27:23.359 --> 00:27:25.119 The songs. 00:27:25.479 --> 00:27:26.619 Will only ever. 00:27:26.799 --> 00:27:27.559 Be about him. 00:27:28.679 --> 00:27:29.819 He will have. 00:27:30.500 --> 00:27:31.419 Sons forever. 00:27:31.919 --> 00:27:33.000 Who will reign the earth. 00:27:33.339 --> 00:27:34.399 But the praise. 00:27:35.099 --> 00:27:36.240 Will always be his. 00:27:37.240 --> 00:27:37.939 His name. 00:27:38.099 --> 00:27:38.779 Will be remembered. 00:27:39.339 --> 00:27:40.240 Forever and ever. 00:27:41.619 --> 00:27:42.379 Which makes. 00:27:42.779 --> 00:27:43.959 Makes us ask. 00:27:44.079 --> 00:27:44.659 The question. 00:27:44.819 --> 00:27:47.279 Just who is this royal wedding song. 00:27:47.719 --> 00:27:48.059 About. 00:27:48.059 --> 00:27:50.799 Who is it about? 00:27:51.220 --> 00:27:53.039 We've seen the beauty of his words. 00:27:53.559 --> 00:27:54.839 The beauty of his war. 00:27:55.059 --> 00:27:56.319 The beauty of his rule. 00:27:56.700 --> 00:27:58.079 The beauty of his bride. 00:27:58.319 --> 00:28:00.039 The beauty of his posterity. 00:28:00.419 --> 00:28:02.079 The beauty of his praise. 00:28:02.879 --> 00:28:04.079 But who is this about? 00:28:05.200 --> 00:28:06.720 Well in the first instance. 00:28:06.879 --> 00:28:09.000 It certainly relates to a real king. 00:28:09.519 --> 00:28:10.960 In Old Testament times. 00:28:10.960 --> 00:28:13.000 The mention of the gold of Ophir. 00:28:13.120 --> 00:28:13.880 In verse 9. 00:28:14.319 --> 00:28:15.700 And the people of Tyre. 00:28:15.779 --> 00:28:16.720 In verse 12. 00:28:17.200 --> 00:28:18.100 Give the song. 00:28:18.340 --> 00:28:19.900 A historical setting. 00:28:20.519 --> 00:28:21.299 Some people think. 00:28:21.299 --> 00:28:22.019 It's a love song. 00:28:22.100 --> 00:28:22.980 About Ahab. 00:28:23.059 --> 00:28:24.660 And his marriage to Jezebel. 00:28:25.140 --> 00:28:26.500 Who was from Sidon. 00:28:26.620 --> 00:28:27.579 A foreign country. 00:28:28.120 --> 00:28:29.059 But that wasn't a marriage. 00:28:29.120 --> 00:28:29.960 Any Israelites. 00:28:30.200 --> 00:28:31.660 Could write a song about. 00:28:31.660 --> 00:28:34.160 I think Solomon's marriage. 00:28:34.279 --> 00:28:35.120 To Pharaoh's daughter. 00:28:35.319 --> 00:28:36.440 Might be the best guess. 00:28:36.880 --> 00:28:38.779 We know Solomon was a handsome man. 00:28:38.779 --> 00:28:40.720 From the song of songs. 00:28:41.319 --> 00:28:42.839 His father David was handsome. 00:28:43.460 --> 00:28:44.420 Solomon was known. 00:28:44.559 --> 00:28:46.220 For his wise words. 00:28:46.579 --> 00:28:47.660 Words of grace. 00:28:47.879 --> 00:28:48.639 We might say. 00:28:49.339 --> 00:28:50.799 We know he married a foreigner. 00:28:51.259 --> 00:28:52.160 Pharaoh's daughter. 00:28:52.480 --> 00:28:53.319 Who had to leave. 00:28:53.599 --> 00:28:54.259 Her father. 00:28:54.420 --> 00:28:55.220 And her country. 00:28:56.460 --> 00:28:58.139 She was like a latter day Ruth. 00:28:58.920 --> 00:29:00.079 Who committed herself. 00:29:00.200 --> 00:29:01.379 To the faith of Israel. 00:29:02.379 --> 00:29:04.420 Tyre was the most prosperous neighbor. 00:29:04.420 --> 00:29:06.180 To Israel in Solomon's day. 00:29:06.700 --> 00:29:07.940 So there are good reasons. 00:29:07.940 --> 00:29:10.100 To think that this is a song about Solomon. 00:29:11.240 --> 00:29:12.799 But that can only be a guess. 00:29:13.480 --> 00:29:14.279 And that's the point. 00:29:14.380 --> 00:29:15.420 It's only a guess. 00:29:16.000 --> 00:29:16.299 Why? 00:29:16.779 --> 00:29:17.980 Because this songwriter. 00:29:18.180 --> 00:29:19.140 Has written this song. 00:29:19.240 --> 00:29:20.100 In such a way. 00:29:20.640 --> 00:29:22.480 That he has left us guessing. 00:29:24.080 --> 00:29:25.720 If it was about Solomon. 00:29:25.880 --> 00:29:27.680 Why didn't he just tell us? 00:29:29.980 --> 00:29:30.539 Besides. 00:29:30.680 --> 00:29:31.759 Some of these descriptions. 00:29:31.759 --> 00:29:33.320 Seem larger than life. 00:29:33.480 --> 00:29:34.600 Too good to be true. 00:29:34.600 --> 00:29:36.860 Too beautiful to be real. 00:29:36.859 --> 00:29:40.299 A man beyond our wildest dreams. 00:29:41.559 --> 00:29:43.240 He seems in another league. 00:29:43.500 --> 00:29:44.119 To Solomon. 00:29:44.759 --> 00:29:46.379 Just glance back over the passage. 00:29:46.559 --> 00:29:47.599 And I'll show you what I mean. 00:29:48.019 --> 00:29:48.759 Verse 2. 00:29:49.579 --> 00:29:52.099 You are the most handsome of the sons of men. 00:29:52.539 --> 00:29:53.919 The sons of men there. 00:29:54.039 --> 00:29:55.439 Could literally be translated. 00:29:55.879 --> 00:29:58.119 You are the most handsome of the sons. 00:29:58.740 --> 00:30:00.000 Or you are more handsome. 00:30:00.619 --> 00:30:02.659 Than the sons of Adam. 00:30:02.660 --> 00:30:05.180 It's as if this king. 00:30:05.360 --> 00:30:06.660 Is in another league. 00:30:07.060 --> 00:30:08.620 To the descendants of Adam. 00:30:09.420 --> 00:30:10.180 In verse 2. 00:30:10.300 --> 00:30:12.840 He is said to be blessed forever by God. 00:30:13.580 --> 00:30:15.900 Solomon was blessed initially by God. 00:30:16.480 --> 00:30:17.759 But not eternally. 00:30:17.920 --> 00:30:18.840 God judged him. 00:30:18.900 --> 00:30:19.880 And split the kingdom. 00:30:20.040 --> 00:30:21.580 After his idolatrous worship. 00:30:21.980 --> 00:30:23.800 Through his multiple marriages. 00:30:23.800 --> 00:30:24.880 To foreign women. 00:30:24.880 --> 00:30:26.660 In verse 3. 00:30:26.800 --> 00:30:28.640 This king is presented as a warrior. 00:30:29.140 --> 00:30:30.740 And the only other great warrior. 00:30:30.960 --> 00:30:31.740 In the Old Testament. 00:30:31.960 --> 00:30:32.900 Who rides forth. 00:30:33.340 --> 00:30:35.300 In splendor and majesty. 00:30:36.120 --> 00:30:36.900 Is God. 00:30:37.220 --> 00:30:38.080 The warrior. 00:30:39.500 --> 00:30:40.360 In verse 6. 00:30:40.460 --> 00:30:42.340 He is addressed as God. 00:30:42.760 --> 00:30:43.120 And yes. 00:30:43.220 --> 00:30:44.640 Sometimes in the Old Testament. 00:30:44.800 --> 00:30:45.920 Angels and kings. 00:30:46.260 --> 00:30:47.700 Were given the title of God. 00:30:47.760 --> 00:30:49.860 But only in a God like sense. 00:30:50.240 --> 00:30:52.420 This king is addressed as God. 00:30:52.420 --> 00:30:52.519 God. 00:30:53.120 --> 00:30:55.580 Which naturally raises our eyebrows. 00:30:57.100 --> 00:30:58.279 In verse 7. 00:30:58.400 --> 00:31:00.960 He is anointed the happiest king on earth. 00:31:01.539 --> 00:31:02.360 In verse 9. 00:31:02.480 --> 00:31:05.900 He is the envy and praise of the daughters of many kings. 00:31:06.400 --> 00:31:07.460 In verse 16. 00:31:07.600 --> 00:31:10.880 He is promised princes who will rule over the earth. 00:31:11.000 --> 00:31:12.140 Not just Israel. 00:31:12.539 --> 00:31:14.300 As it was for Solomon. 00:31:14.920 --> 00:31:15.820 In verse 17. 00:31:15.960 --> 00:31:18.460 He is promised eternal praise. 00:31:18.779 --> 00:31:19.640 From the nations. 00:31:19.640 --> 00:31:22.500 Here is a king. 00:31:22.500 --> 00:31:24.480 Who is peerless. 00:31:25.320 --> 00:31:26.440 Here is a king. 00:31:26.640 --> 00:31:29.160 Who is beautiful beyond compare. 00:31:29.740 --> 00:31:30.759 Here is. 00:31:31.680 --> 00:31:32.720 A king. 00:31:33.040 --> 00:31:34.220 Of all kings. 00:31:36.000 --> 00:31:37.740 Here is Jesus Christ. 00:31:38.220 --> 00:31:39.680 The most beautiful of men. 00:31:40.360 --> 00:31:41.820 Because he is more beautiful. 00:31:42.280 --> 00:31:43.600 Than all the sons. 00:31:44.120 --> 00:31:44.680 Of Adam. 00:31:45.560 --> 00:31:47.160 Because he himself is. 00:31:47.640 --> 00:31:48.480 The last. 00:31:48.900 --> 00:31:49.220 Adam. 00:31:49.640 --> 00:31:52.920 There is the beauty of his words. 00:31:53.280 --> 00:31:54.520 They drip with grace. 00:31:54.960 --> 00:31:55.420 They forgive. 00:31:55.900 --> 00:31:56.480 They free. 00:31:57.020 --> 00:31:59.060 They favor undeserved sinners. 00:31:59.060 --> 00:31:59.960 Like you and me. 00:32:00.740 --> 00:32:01.540 His words. 00:32:01.720 --> 00:32:03.740 Are his defining mark of beauty. 00:32:04.500 --> 00:32:05.820 Because Isaiah tells us. 00:32:05.820 --> 00:32:07.420 That there was no outward beauty. 00:32:07.560 --> 00:32:08.800 That we should behold him. 00:32:09.220 --> 00:32:10.640 That we should desire him. 00:32:10.640 --> 00:32:11.940 Have you ever thought of that? 00:32:13.060 --> 00:32:14.540 Jesus probably had. 00:32:14.660 --> 00:32:15.680 A really big nose. 00:32:16.280 --> 00:32:17.480 Sticky out ears. 00:32:17.660 --> 00:32:18.500 Or a mono bra. 00:32:18.500 --> 00:32:20.319 Or a square face. 00:32:20.779 --> 00:32:22.140 Or dull eyes. 00:32:22.640 --> 00:32:24.519 There was no beauty about him. 00:32:24.720 --> 00:32:26.180 If you saw him in a crowd. 00:32:26.599 --> 00:32:28.200 You wouldn't take a second look. 00:32:28.680 --> 00:32:29.519 Or if you did. 00:32:30.039 --> 00:32:32.000 It would have been because of his ugliness. 00:32:33.460 --> 00:32:35.160 Yet when he spoke. 00:32:35.160 --> 00:32:39.860 People were captured. 00:32:41.560 --> 00:32:43.259 There is the beauty of his war. 00:32:44.000 --> 00:32:46.040 He fights for good and just causes. 00:32:46.180 --> 00:32:47.240 In the name of truth. 00:32:48.019 --> 00:32:49.240 Humility and righteousness. 00:32:50.240 --> 00:32:51.800 Just think of how he went to war. 00:32:51.860 --> 00:32:53.120 With the devil in the wilderness. 00:32:53.300 --> 00:32:54.440 He spoke the truth. 00:32:55.100 --> 00:32:56.540 Just think of how he went to war. 00:32:56.540 --> 00:32:58.320 With the Pharisees in his day. 00:32:58.640 --> 00:33:00.279 He condemned their wickedness. 00:33:00.820 --> 00:33:02.380 Just think of how he went to war. 00:33:02.380 --> 00:33:04.520 With the world authorities in Jerusalem. 00:33:05.040 --> 00:33:07.020 He exposed their pride. 00:33:07.280 --> 00:33:09.020 By riding into Jerusalem. 00:33:09.760 --> 00:33:10.440 On a donkey. 00:33:11.520 --> 00:33:13.020 He humbled himself. 00:33:13.260 --> 00:33:14.100 Yet further. 00:33:14.700 --> 00:33:16.460 By becoming obedient to death. 00:33:16.560 --> 00:33:18.420 Even death on a cross. 00:33:18.660 --> 00:33:20.240 At the very heart. 00:33:20.480 --> 00:33:21.480 Of the war. 00:33:22.520 --> 00:33:23.400 He hung. 00:33:23.940 --> 00:33:24.880 On a cross. 00:33:25.620 --> 00:33:26.360 In humility. 00:33:26.359 --> 00:33:30.500 That's the kind of war he fights. 00:33:31.039 --> 00:33:33.159 And that's the kind of way he fights it. 00:33:34.199 --> 00:33:35.979 There's the beauty of his rule. 00:33:36.359 --> 00:33:38.199 His cross was his throne. 00:33:38.819 --> 00:33:39.959 And from that throne. 00:33:40.099 --> 00:33:42.139 He established a king of uprightness. 00:33:42.799 --> 00:33:43.859 On the cross. 00:33:44.000 --> 00:33:45.259 He demonstrated to us. 00:33:45.319 --> 00:33:47.619 That he loves righteousness. 00:33:48.500 --> 00:33:49.819 And hates wickedness. 00:33:49.819 --> 00:33:52.479 And now seated at his father's right hand. 00:33:52.899 --> 00:33:55.179 He rules the world with uprightness. 00:33:55.180 --> 00:33:57.740 Still loving righteousness. 00:33:58.720 --> 00:33:59.880 And healing wickedness. 00:34:00.720 --> 00:34:02.620 There's the beauty of his bride. 00:34:03.440 --> 00:34:04.860 That's you and me this morning. 00:34:05.380 --> 00:34:05.940 But remember. 00:34:06.360 --> 00:34:07.160 Our beauty. 00:34:07.779 --> 00:34:09.240 Doesn't come from ourselves. 00:34:09.400 --> 00:34:10.320 It comes from him. 00:34:11.519 --> 00:34:13.260 That's why we're not the center of attention. 00:34:13.400 --> 00:34:14.639 In this royal wedding. 00:34:14.760 --> 00:34:15.559 How could we be? 00:34:15.960 --> 00:34:18.300 We have no beauty of our own. 00:34:18.820 --> 00:34:20.559 That's why Paul tells us. 00:34:20.659 --> 00:34:21.519 In Ephesians 5. 00:34:21.659 --> 00:34:22.579 That he died. 00:34:22.579 --> 00:34:25.000 So that he might present us. 00:34:25.539 --> 00:34:26.159 To himself. 00:34:26.400 --> 00:34:27.279 In splendor. 00:34:27.400 --> 00:34:28.880 Without spot or wrinkle. 00:34:29.559 --> 00:34:30.759 Or any such thing. 00:34:31.539 --> 00:34:33.400 As Robert Murray McSheehan put it. 00:34:33.759 --> 00:34:35.860 When I stand before the throne. 00:34:36.500 --> 00:34:38.079 Dressed in beauty. 00:34:38.079 --> 00:34:40.119 Not my own. 00:34:41.059 --> 00:34:43.299 There's the beauty of his posterity. 00:34:43.739 --> 00:34:44.659 That's us two. 00:34:44.779 --> 00:34:46.139 And that's you boys and girls. 00:34:46.699 --> 00:34:48.840 If you choose to follow this king. 00:34:49.159 --> 00:34:51.179 Then you can be the young princes. 00:34:51.460 --> 00:34:52.619 And princesses. 00:34:53.039 --> 00:34:54.599 That rule the earth one day. 00:34:54.599 --> 00:34:56.179 And cause the nations. 00:34:56.719 --> 00:34:59.659 To eternally praise this king. 00:35:00.719 --> 00:35:01.199 And finally. 00:35:01.360 --> 00:35:02.900 There's the beauty of his praise. 00:35:02.900 --> 00:35:06.000 He will be praised. 00:35:06.000 --> 00:35:07.340 Across this world. 00:35:07.539 --> 00:35:08.639 By all the nations. 00:35:09.200 --> 00:35:09.920 And one day. 00:35:10.079 --> 00:35:11.119 All those nations. 00:35:11.320 --> 00:35:12.820 Will gather before the throne. 00:35:13.619 --> 00:35:15.059 To praise King Jesus. 00:35:15.900 --> 00:35:17.420 That's who this song is about. 00:35:18.160 --> 00:35:19.559 It's about King Jesus. 00:35:20.700 --> 00:35:21.559 Spurgeon said. 00:35:21.680 --> 00:35:23.260 If we think it's just about Solomon. 00:35:23.740 --> 00:35:25.099 Then we're short sighted. 00:35:25.440 --> 00:35:27.500 If we think it's about Solomon and Jesus. 00:35:27.680 --> 00:35:28.160 Equally. 00:35:28.320 --> 00:35:29.680 Then we're cross eyed. 00:35:29.679 --> 00:35:32.419 It may be about Solomon. 00:35:32.519 --> 00:35:33.480 In the first instance. 00:35:33.599 --> 00:35:34.839 But only as a shadow. 00:35:35.719 --> 00:35:37.519 Of one greater than Solomon. 00:35:38.279 --> 00:35:40.219 Because all the way through the song. 00:35:40.319 --> 00:35:42.179 The songwriter was dropping hints. 00:35:42.619 --> 00:35:45.639 That this is a king of all kings. 00:35:46.759 --> 00:35:48.440 This is Jesus Christ. 00:35:49.899 --> 00:35:51.799 And that's why this love song was written. 00:35:51.940 --> 00:35:53.839 So that we might fix our eyes. 00:35:54.339 --> 00:35:55.339 On the king. 00:35:55.940 --> 00:35:58.659 The one who is the fairest of ten thousand. 00:35:58.659 --> 00:36:00.500 The one who is more beautiful. 00:36:00.500 --> 00:36:02.319 Than all the sons of Adam. 00:36:03.119 --> 00:36:04.420 It's what love songs do. 00:36:04.539 --> 00:36:04.839 Isn't it? 00:36:05.119 --> 00:36:06.699 They stir our affections. 00:36:06.819 --> 00:36:07.599 And our emotions. 00:36:08.339 --> 00:36:11.099 Towards the one exalted in the song. 00:36:12.359 --> 00:36:13.539 That's what this song. 00:36:13.819 --> 00:36:15.559 Ought to do for us this morning. 00:36:16.039 --> 00:36:16.440 We. 00:36:17.000 --> 00:36:17.980 Brothers and sisters. 00:36:18.159 --> 00:36:19.659 Are the betrothed bride. 00:36:20.599 --> 00:36:21.799 Of this king. 00:36:21.800 --> 00:36:26.560 So whatever your life circumstances at the moment. 00:36:27.300 --> 00:36:28.760 God says to us. 00:36:29.360 --> 00:36:31.820 Don't take your eyes. 00:36:32.620 --> 00:36:33.600 Off the king. 00:36:34.760 --> 00:36:36.100 Whatever your struggles. 00:36:36.360 --> 00:36:37.140 In your singleness. 00:36:37.900 --> 00:36:38.940 Or in your marriage. 00:36:39.519 --> 00:36:40.660 Or with your children. 00:36:41.380 --> 00:36:42.880 Or without children. 00:36:43.680 --> 00:36:44.960 With your job. 00:36:45.140 --> 00:36:46.120 With your old age. 00:36:46.200 --> 00:36:47.560 With its aches and pains. 00:36:47.680 --> 00:36:48.740 And the sleepless nights. 00:36:48.739 --> 00:36:51.419 Whatever your life circumstances are. 00:36:51.779 --> 00:36:53.859 God says to you this morning. 00:36:54.259 --> 00:36:56.799 Don't take your eyes. 00:36:57.559 --> 00:36:58.399 Off the king. 00:36:59.799 --> 00:37:01.899 Because soon and very soon. 00:37:02.699 --> 00:37:04.159 We are going to see. 00:37:04.899 --> 00:37:05.399 The king. 00:37:05.400 --> 00:37:05.840 desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde 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