Psalm 45

Abraham Coles

2 Fair, fair art Thou, O fairer far
Than fairest of earth's children are:
What grace into Thy lips is poured!
What hives of sweetness there are stored!
Therefore has God pronounced Thee blest —
Th'Eternal Darling of His breast.

3 Gird Thou Thy sword upon Thy thigh,
4 O Mighty One, for triumphs high:
In glory and in majesty
Ascend Thy car, ride prosperously:
Because of meekness, truth and right.
Thy trained hand terribly shall smite.

5 Sharp are Thine arrows in Thy foes,
Whereby the people that oppose
Fall under Thee: Thy work pursue,
Till Thou all nations shalt subdue.
6 Thy throne, O God, forever stands —
Thy righteous sceptre sways all lands.

7 Thou righteousness lov'st evermore,
And hatest wickedness — therefore,
Hath God, Thy God, anointed Thee
With oil of gladness plenteously
Above Thy fellows. When astir,
8 All Thy rich garments smell of myrrh,

Of aloes, cassia, fragrant gums —
While, ever and anon, there comes
Out of the ivory palaces
The noise of instruments to please —
The mighty melody of strings,
That lifts the soul on heavenly wings.

9 Daughters of kings are with Thee seen:
On Thy right hand there stands the Queen,
In gold of Ophir: Daughter, hear!
10 Forget thy father's house once dear;
11 So shall the King thy beauty prize:
For He's thy Lord, lift reverent eyes!

His beauty makes thy beauty dim;
But thou art fair since fair to Him:
The sweet reflections of His face
Give majesty to thine and grace —
Thou art a portion of His state.
So that His greatness makes thee great.

12 Therefore proud Tyre, will, bowing low.
On thee rich nuptial gifts bestow;
Th'opulent will thee entreat.
And sue for favors at thy feet:
Honors flow in from every side,
Such as befit a royal bride.

13 Lo, the king's daughter sits admired
In her apartments: all attired
In gorgeous dress inwrought with gold —
Embroidered work fair to behold —
14 She shall be led in to the King;
15 Attendant virgins shall her bring.

16 Thou in Thy fathers' stead shalt see
Thy sons, a royal progeny,
Whom Thou, in view of their high birth,
Shalt princes make in all the earth.
17 Thy Name shall still remembered be,
And praise forever rise to Thee.