Slices
Prepare
The institution of marriage has changed over the centuries and is hotly debated. The importance of faith within a marriage attracts less interest. Ask God to help you reflect on this.
Bible passage
For the director of music. To the tune of ‘Lilies’. Of the Sons of Korah. A maskil. A wedding song.
1 My heart is stirred by a noble theme
as I recite my verses for the king;
my tongue is the pen of a skilful writer.
2 You are the most excellent of men
and your lips have been anointed with grace,
since God has blessed you for ever.
3 Gird your sword on your side, you mighty one;
clothe yourself with splendour and majesty.
4 In your majesty ride forth victoriously
in the cause of truth, humility and justice;
let your right hand achieve awesome deeds.
5 Let your sharp arrows pierce the hearts of the king’s enemies;
let the nations fall beneath your feet.
6 Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever;
a sceptre of justice will be the sceptre of your kingdom.
7 You love righteousness and hate wickedness;
therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions
by anointing you with the oil of joy.
8 All your robes are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia;
from palaces adorned with ivory
the music of the strings makes you glad.
9 Daughters of kings are among your honoured women;
at your right hand is the royal bride in gold of Ophir.
10 Listen, daughter, and pay careful attention:
Forget your people and your father’s house.
11 Let the king be enthralled by your beauty;
honour him, for he is your lord.
12 The city of Tyre will come with a gift,
people of wealth will seek your favour.
13 All glorious is the princess within her chamber;
her gown is interwoven with gold.
14 In embroidered garments she is led to the king;
her virgin companions follow her –
those brought to be with her.
15 Led in with joy and gladness,
they enter the palace of the king.
16 Your sons will take the place of your fathers;
you will make them princes throughout the land.
17 I will perpetuate your memory through all generations;
therefore the nations will praise you for ever and ever.
Explore
Every message on a wedding card contains warm, appreciative comments. The bride and groom are the prince and princess on this one day. This song is no exception. Possibly it is composed for King Solomon marrying yet another foreign wife. As such it is culturally freighted.
More is made of his virtues than hers. As God’s representative he’s challenged to rule well, being faithful to God (v 4) for his throne is ultimately God’s (v 6). Solomon’s descendants did belong to an eternal line, which is why the writer of Hebrews, when referring to Christ, quotes verses 6 and 7 (Hebrews 1:8,9).
The royal bride is told to reject the gods of her own people (v 10). Jezebel, King Ahab’s wife, is one example of failing to do so for she turned her husband’s heart away from the Lord to serve her foreign gods (1 Kings 16:31–33; 21:25,26). In sharp contrast, Ruth, another foreign bride, rejected the gods of her dead first husband and eventually gave birth to the royal line of David (Ruth 1:16).
Marriage today is different from this writer’s understanding. For a start, in most countries, polygamy is unlawful. In Christian marriage husband and wife are both accountable to God and both are called upon to enable the flourishing of faith and trust in him (Ephesians 5:21).
Respond
Pray for those preparing for their marriage.
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Ezra 7,8; Luke 4
Pray for Scripture Union
Pray for a revitalising of SU work in Brazil. Pray for wisdom in identifying and inviting associates and board members for a General Assembly (last held 33 years ago) to name a transitional board of directors.
