¹ To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim, for the sons of Korah, Maschil, A Song of loves. My heart is overflowing with a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made concerning the king: my tongue is the pen of a skilful writer.¹²

1. Maschil: or, of instruction
2. is inditing: Heb. boileth, or, bubbleth up

² Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.

³ Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty.

⁴ And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things.¹

1. ride...: Heb. prosper thou, ride thou

⁵ Thy arrows are sharp in the heart of the king’s enemies; by which the people fall under thee.

⁶ Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a sceptre of justice.

⁷ Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy companions.

⁸ All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, by which they have made thee glad.

⁹ Kings’ daughters were among thy honourable women: upon thy right hand stood the queen in gold of Ophir.

¹⁰ Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thy ear; forget also thy own people, and thy father’s house;

¹¹ So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for he is thy Lord; and worship thou him.

¹² And the daughter of Tyre shall be there with a gift; even the rich among the people shall entreat thy favour.¹

1. favour: Heb. face

¹³ The king’s daughter is all glorious within: her clothing is of wrought gold.

¹⁴ She shall be brought to the king in raiment of needlework: the virgins her companions that follow her shall be brought to thee.

¹⁵ With gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought: they shall enter into the king’s palace.

¹⁶ Instead of thy fathers shall be thy children, whom thou mayest make princes in all the earth.

¹⁷ I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations: therefore shall the people praise thee for ever and ever.