The King in His Beauty

Monday, October 26, 2026

Songs of Grace: The Psalms of the Sons of Korah

The King in His Beauty

Psalm 45

Friends,

Last Sunday we listened to the sons of Korah wrestle with suffering in Psalm 44. Their questions were painful, and the psalm ended without telling us how their trouble was resolved. But I appreciate that because even if our pain resolves, the effects are often lingering. Then again, some trouble or pain may last a long time and be difficult to understand.

This Sunday, however, we turn to Psalm 45, and the change is striking. Instead of a lament, we hear a wedding song. Instead of asking why God seems distant, the psalmist celebrates a king whose beauty, righteousness, and reign fill him with joy. And… as we read, we discover that this is more than a song about an ancient royal wedding. It directs our attention to Jesus Christ.

Psalm 45 begins with a poet whose heart overflows with a pleasing theme (v 1). He wants his words to honor the king. The language is lavish, as wedding poetry often is, but his claims eventually reach beyond what we could say of any ordinary king. Like Paul with Psalm 44, the writer of Hebrews 1:8–9 quotes vs 6–7 and applies them to Jesus. That New Testament connection helps us understand why this psalm belongs in our series and why it matters to us.

Teana and I left church yesterday for Chattanooga and returned this morning in time for the Monday staff meeting at 1:30. So, I’m still working through the sermon, but here is the direction I want us to take together this Sunday.

Big Idea: Jesus is the beautiful and righteous King who deserves our worship, our allegiance, and our joy.

First: Let’s Behold the Beauty of the King (vs 1–5)

The psalmist praises the king’s appearance and gracious speech, then describes his strength and victorious cause. Notice the values for which this king rides: truth, meekness, and righteousness (v 4). His greatness is not simply that he can defeat his enemies. He exercises power for what is right and to do what is right. And in the Bible, beauty is never just a matter of physical appearance. The king’s character is part of his glory, and it should become a part of ours also. (That will be an APP point for Sunday).

That last thought is worth thinking about in a world that often admires power without asking whether it is good. Jesus is not merely stronger than every rival. He is perfectly good. His words are gracious, His judgments are righteous, and His power never becomes cruelty. As we lead our CGs, let’s help people see that the more clearly we know Jesus, the more reason we have to love Him.

Second: Let’s Rejoice in the Righteous Reign of the King (vs 6–9)

In this section, the language becomes extraordinary: “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever” (v 6). The king loves righteousness and hates wickedness (v 7). These words fit immediately into Israel’s royal poetry, but Hebrews 1:8–9 identifies their fullest meaning in Jesus. The Son is no temporary ruler. His throne endures, and His scepter is a scepter of uprightness. We can all say, “hallelujah,” right there.

Think about what that means for our people. Elections are upon us, and we know that anyone we elect will disappoint us, circumstances will change, and promises will be broken. That’s the nature of politics. But Christ’s rule is different. He never needs correction, never makes a selfish decision, and never abandons what is just. We can trust His authority because we can trust His heart. Because this is true,

Third: Let’s Listen to the Call to Belong to the King (vs 10–15)

Here, the psalmist turns toward the bride; toward you and me, saying, “Hear, O daughter, and consider, and incline your ear” (v 10). She is called to leave her former attachments and enter a new life with the king. The wedding procession is full of beauty and gladness. In this section, we should first hear this as a royal wedding song, rather than treating every detail as a secret symbol. Yet the Bible also gives us the larger picture of Christ as the bridegroom and His church as His bride (Eph 5:25–32; Rev 19:6–9).

There is a personal question here. What does it mean to belong to Jesus? It means that our deepest loyalty has changed. We still love our families, serve our neighbors, and carry out our responsibilities, but none of these can take His place. His love draws us into a new identity and teaches us to find our joy in Him. That is not a loss of life. It is the

beginning of life as God intended it. And when we love Jesus first and most, we love everyone and everything else best.

Fourth: Let’s Look Toward the King’s Everlasting Name (vs 16–17)

The song closes by looking beyond the wedding day. The king’s name will be remembered through the generations, and the nations will praise him forever (v 17). An earthly dynasty (I use that word because I’m thinking of the Chinese dynasties that extend back to 1600 BC) might hope for that kind of remembrance, but no human kingdom can guarantee it. Leaders come, and leaders go. In Jesus, the promise reaches its true fulfillment. His kingdom has no end, and people from every nation will praise Him.

That gives us a larger horizon for worship. We are not simply trying to help our people get through another week, important as that is. We are helping them know the King whose name will be praised forever. So, each time we gather, we’re asking them to lift their eyes beyond any earthly government. Otherwise, their strength and joy is dependent on kingdoms that are doomed to fail us. In other words, our Sunday gatherings, CG conversations, prayers, and acts of obedience all belong to that greater story and we need to remember that, especially during election season.

Fifth: And This Is Where The Gospel Meets Us

The beautiful King didn't come simply to receive honor. He came to give His life for sinners. Think about the terrible irony of what happened at His crucifixion. The One whose throne lasts forever wore a crown of thorns. The One whose glory fills the temple wore a robe of mockery. The One who rules with a scepter of righteousness held a reed placed in His hand by Roman soldiers. And the One before whom every knee will someday bow endured the mocking worship of men who knelt before Him without knowing who He really was. They meant to humiliate Him, but every insult unknowingly testified to His true identity.

And here's what makes His beauty so astonishing. He could've ended their mockery with a word, but He willingly endured it because He loved us. He loved the church and gave Himself up for her (Eph 5:25). And through His death and resurrection, this beautiful King brings sinners into His kingdom by grace. His beauty isn't diminished by His suffering. In His sacrificial love, we discover just how beautiful our King really is. (That, friends, will teach and preach).

Conclusion: See the King, and Love Him More

I hope we won’t read Psalm 45 merely as an interesting royal poem. It invites us

to look again at Jesus and ask whether our hearts still overflow with praise for Him.

Psalm 44 reminded us that faith can keep praying when God’s ways are difficult to understand. Psalm 45 reminds us who rules even in those moments. (That might make a great intro for this Sunday’s sermon). The King is beautiful, righteous, and faithful, whether or not we can make sense of what is happening around us. (And that, a fitting conclusion, this Sunday).

As you prepare for your CG, help your people move beyond simply knowing facts about Jesus to delighting in Him. Ask what they admire, what they trust, and where their loyalties rest. Then open the Bible together and let this psalm show them a King worthy of their whole lives.

Well, that’s it so far. Thank you, my dear friends, for loving Jesus and caring for the people He has entrusted to us. I’m praying that this Sunday will deepen our joy in the King who first loved us.

PS. If you see one of the ladies who is reading through the Bible this year, they’ve

been at it for 300 days today!!!

In the love of Jesus for you and me, Pastor Reggie