Psalm 45
1My heart is stirring with a noble song;
let me recite what I have fashioned for the king;*
my tongue shall be the pen of a skilled writer.
2You are the fairest of men;*
grace flows from your lips,
because God has blessed you for ever.
3Strap your sword upon your thigh, O mighty warrior,*
in your pride and in your majesty.
4Ride out and conquer in the cause of truth *
and for the sake of justice.
5Your right hand will show you marvelous things; *
your arrows are very sharp, O mighty warrior.
6The peoples are falling at your feet,*
and the king’s enemies are losing heart.
7Your throne, O God, endures for ever and ever,*
a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of your kingdom;
you love righteousness and hate iniquity.
8Therefore God, your God, has anointed you *
with the oil of gladness above your fellows.
9All your garments are fragrant with myrrh, aloes, and cassia,*
and the music of strings from ivory palaces makes you glad.
10Kings’ daughters stand among the ladies of the court;*
on your right hand is the queen,
adorned with the gold of Ophir.
11″Hear, O daughter; consider and listen closely;*
forget your people and your father’s house.
12The king will have pleasure in your beauty; *
he is your master; therefore do him honor.
13The people of Tyre are here with a gift; *
the rich among the people seek your favor.”
14All glorious is the princess as she enters; *
her gown is cloth-of-gold.
15In embroidered apparel she is brought to the king;*
after her the bridesmaids follow in procession.
16With joy and gladness they are brought,*
and enter into the palace of the king.
17″In place of fathers, O king, you shall have sons;*
you shall make them princes over all the earth.
18I will make your name to be remembered
from one generation to another;*
therefore nations will praise you for ever and ever.”
A Collect for Peace
Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but the strength of love: So mightily spread abroad your Spirit, that all peoples may be gathered under the banner of the Prince of Peace, as children of one Father; to whom be dominion and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
