Psalm 45

A Wedding Song of the Sons of Korah

1 My heart bursts its banks, spilling beauty and goodness. I pour it out in a poem to the king, shaping the river into words:

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.7 You love the right and hate the wrong. And that is why God, your very own God, poured fragrant oil on your head, Marking you out as king from among your dear companions.

8 "Your ozone-drenched garments are fragrant with mountain breeze. Chamber music-from the throne room-makes you want to dance.9 Kings' daughters are maids in your court, the Bride glittering with golden jewelry.

10 "Now listen, daughter, don't miss a word: forget your country, put your home behind you.11 Be here-the king is wild for you. Since he's your lord, adore him.12 Wedding gifts pour in from Tyre; rich guests shower you with presents."

13 (Her wedding dress is dazzling, lined with gold by the weavers;14 All her dresses and robes are woven with gold. She is led to the king, followed by her virgin companions.15 A procession of joy and laughter! a grand entrance to the king's palace!)

16 "Set your mind now on sons-don't dote on father and grandfather. You'll set your sons up as princes all over the earth.17 I'll make you famous for generations; you'll be the talk of the town for a long, long time."

Psalm 46

A Song of the Sons of Korah

1 God is a safe place to hide, ready to help when we need him.2 We stand fearless at the cliff-edge of doom, courageous in seastorm and earthquake,3 Before the rush and roar of oceans, the tremors that shift mountains. Jacob-wrestling God fights for us, God of angel armies protects us.

4 River fountains splash joy, cooling God's city, this sacred haunt of the Most High.5 God lives here, the streets are safe, God at your service from crack of dawn.6 Godless nations rant and rave, kings and kingdoms threaten, but Earth does anything he says.

7 Jacob-wrestling God fights for us, God of angel armies protects us.

8 Attention, all! See the marvels of God! He plants flowers and trees all over the earth,9 Bans war from pole to pole, breaks all the weapons across his knee.10 "Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your High God, above politics, above everything."

11 Jacob-wrestling God fights for us, God of angel armies protects us.

Psalm 47

A Psalm of the Sons of Korah

1 Applause, everyone. Bravo, bravissimo! Shout God-songs at the top of your lungs!2 God Most High is stunning, astride land and ocean.3 He crushes hostile people, puts nations at our feet.4 He set us at the head of the line, prize-winning Jacob, his favorite.5 Loud cheers as God climbs the mountain, a ram's horn blast at the summit.6 Sing songs to God, sing out! Sing to our King, sing praise!7 He's Lord over earth, so sing your best songs to God.8 God is Lord of godless nations-sovereign, he's King of the mountain.9 Princes from all over are gathered, people of Abraham's God. The powers of earth are God's-he soars over all.