Book 2: Psalm 42-72 God’s presence going before us
Title: To the chief musician upon Shoshannim, for the sons of Korah, Maschil, a song of loves.
The word Shoshannim means a lily. It is also used of a straight tubular (lily shaped) trumpet. A song of loves, or simply a love song. This psalm is written to be used at a royal wedding.
I. A prelude to the great wedding (1)
A. The psalmist is overwhelmed with emotion.
B. The psalmist records the joy of the occasion.II. The charge to the groom (2-9)
A. He is greatly blessed by God above all men. (2)
B. He is a mighty warrior and honorable man. (3-5)
C. He is chosen by God to be exalted above all. (6-8)
D. He is blessed with the women in his life. (9)III. The charge to the bride (10-17)
A. Leave your family and join to your husband. (10)
B. Cleave to your husband and honor him alone. (11)
C. Be exalted in your position as the queen. (12-15)
D. Be prosperous through your offspring. (16-17)IV. The prophecy of Christ and His church
A. Jesus is the King of Kings who will rule eternally.
B. The Church is the glorious bride of Christ.Much has been written as to the identification of the king and bride with several possibilities given. While none perfectly fit the specifics of the psalm, Solomon, Hezekiah, Ahab, or one of the Persian kings during the exile have been suggested.
Many believe the psalm is a metaphor alluding to the great messianic king yet to come. That the king is Jesus and His bride, the church. A better option is that this psalm was written on the occasion of a historical wedding of one of Israel’s kings with a prophetic application intended by God to point us to Christ and His church.