Monday - Psalm 45 - Anointed with Oil of Gladness

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n many cases we perceive that a psalm or a passage is messianic (prophetically descriptive of Christ) because we find something in the wording that reminds us of the cross... or of some aspect of the events surrounding Christ's death. In Psalm 45 we have a messianic prophecy, but the focus is on the exaltation of Jesus rather than on His humiliation. Here, He is the king; not just a carpenter. Here, instead of being "despised and rejected, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief' (Isaiah 53:2-3), He is "fairer than the children of men" (Psalm 45:2). Here, instead of being pierced by a spear, He is carrying a sword upon His thigh and is riding majestically while shooting arrows effectively into the hearts of His enemies. Rather than His simple garments being parted among vile soldiers while He hangs naked on a tree, here His fine garments smell of sweet fragrances. Here He wears a smile rather than a look of sadness. Here He is accompanied by a beautiful queen instead of by rough malefactors. Here He is worshipped rather than being spat upon.

The very heart of the Psalm is in verses 6 & 7 (see also Hebrews 1:8-9). It is one of the most wonderful proofs of the deity of Jesus and of His eternal place in the Godhead, because we find His Almighty Father calling Him, "God." He is the Son... but so too is He also God. He is not just A son; He is THE Son. And He is the Messiah; the Christ; the Anointed One... anointed with the oil of gladness. And because He is glad, we also can be glad. He has made me glad (Psalm 92:4).