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July 2nd, 2020 Daily Devotional

Today’s Psalm—a song of praise to a human king—is pretty challenging to the modern

ear. I nearly laughed at the elaborate fawning over the king’s appearance (“you are the

most handsome of men”) and definitely bristled at the patriarchal language (“the

princess is decked in her chamber with gold-woven robes; in many-colored robes she is

led to the king”). Ewww.


J. Clinton McCann’s commentary in the New Interpreter’s Bible prods me (a little bit)

past those initial reactions:

“It would be possible to dismiss Psalm 45 as a relic of the ancient Near Eastern ideology

of kingship or as a piece of Israelite or Judean political propaganda. Indeed, if its

portrayal of women is taken as a criterion, Psalm 45 should be dismissed. But it seems

that the psalm was preserved as Scripture, because it has the potential to facilitate

theological reflection about the nature of legitimate political authority. Such reflection is

crucial, especially…in the light of the persistent human tendency to be fascinated with

powerful people, be they royalty or politicians or even self-appointed dictators.”

Often now in our liturgy, we use the word “kin-dom” to think about the “kingdom of

God” less as a “top-down monarchy” and instead “a more horizontal structure of

power in which everyone is a beloved child of God” (to use the words of Prof. Deborah

Krause from Eden Theological Seminary).


What does kin-dom look like? How is it different from “kingdom”? How can we, as a

church, work together to build the inclusive kin-dom of God?


Psalm 45

1 My heart overflows with a goodly theme; I address my verses to the king; my tongue

is like the pen of a ready scribe.

2 You are the most handsome of men; grace is poured upon your lips; therefore God has

blessed you forever.

3 Gird your sword on your thigh, O mighty one, in your glory and majesty.

4 In your majesty ride on victoriously for the cause of truth and to defend the right; let

your right hand teach you dread deeds.

5 Your arrows are sharp in the heart of the king’s enemies; the peoples fall under you.

6 Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever. Your royal scepter is a scepter of

equity;

7 you love righteousness and hate wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed

you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions;

8 your robes are all fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia. From ivory palaces

stringed instruments make you glad;

9 daughters of kings are among your ladies of honor; at your right hand stands the

queen in gold of Ophir.

10 Hear, O daughter, consider and incline your ear; forget your people and your

father’s house,

11 and the king will desire your beauty. Since he is your lord, bow to him;

12 the people of Tyre will seek your favor with gifts, the richest of the people

13 with all kinds of wealth. The princess is decked in her chamber with gold-woven

robes;

14 in many-colored robes she is led to the king; behind her the virgins, her companions,

follow.

15 With joy and gladness they are led along as they enter the palace of the king.

16 In the place of ancestors you, O king, shall have sons; you will make them princes in

all the earth.

17 I will cause your name to be celebrated in all generations; therefore the peoples will

praise you forever and ever.

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