“You are the most handsome of the sons of men; grace is poured upon your lips; therefore God has blessed you forever.  Gird your sword on your thigh, O mighty one, in Your splendor and majesty! In your majesty ride out victoriously for the cause of truth and meekness and righteousness; let your right hand teach awesome deeds! Your arrows are sharp in the heart of the king’s enemies; the peoples fall under you.  Your throne, O God, is forever and ever.  The scepter of your kingdom us a scepter of uprightness; you have loved righteousness and hated wickedness.  Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions; your robes are all fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia. ”  Psalm 45:2-8 ESV

My first Valentine’s Day as a Christian I prayed to God for a date with a godly man.  The day approached with no suitors.  I ended up riding a trolley in San Diego alone.   My heart uttered a simple and honest cry, “God please show me how much you love me.”  My Beloved answered me with an overwhelming affirmation of His great love.  I was on my way back from the mall when I met a girl with a Forever 21 shopping bag.  I started a conversation and pointed to the Bible reference on the bottom of the bag, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.   God’s presence filled my thirsty soul when I got to share the gospel with her.  I remember having so much joy on the ride home that I was moved to tears.  I praised God for a date with my Savior and His abounding love in giving up His Son for the forgiveness of my sins.

Four years later, God answered my prayer not just a date but for marriage.  The day after Valentine’s Day I married an amazing man of God named Josh.  He was the second greatest gift I received from the Lord, after my salvation.  The Lord gave, so my soul praised God.  Four years after that, God took Josh home to heaven from a rare genetic disease we had no idea about.  The Lord took away, and my soul still praised God.  His faithfulness supplies the grace to praise His name in any circumstance we find ourselves in this Valentine’s Day.

When our hearts long for a sweeter intimacy and a satisfying love may our Heavenly Father comfort our souls with His promises.  This psalm reflects of the beauty of marriage, likely a royal wedding of the Davidic lineage.  This first time I read it anew it caused a deep sense of sorrow for the loss of that blessed union I had with my husband.  Then, the Holy Spirit showed me that Christ is my all-sufficient betrothed, and opened my eyes to see Him in this love song.  Who is enthroned forever and ever? None other than the Lord Jesus Christ.

Christ is more attractive than any other of the sons of men.  Even Solomon in all his wisdom and splendor was merely a man.  Therefore this psalm does not only refer to any earthly king.  No matter the name of the celebrity or model—no human figure can top the beauty of this King. “So Christ should not be depicted with gall or a sword in his mouth, as they always portray him, unless it is to be understood spiritually.  He should be depicted in such a way that his lips seem to be pure sugar or honey.” (Martin Luther, Lecture on Psalm 45)

God bestowed an eternal blessing and anointed this King forever.  Furthermore, He is clothed in righteousness.  The divine Messiah is the only one who is completely pure in righteousness.  All of us are sinners.  When two sinners come together in marriage, it is sanctifying because we see our selfish tendencies all the more, and then beget more sinners that draw it out of us.  However, our heavenly bridegroom is perfect in holiness and so patient with our grievances.  And He is adorning His bride with that same holiness through His Spirit and the Word.  There is amazing joy at the thought of the church’s union with Christ, and it’s consummation in heavenly glory.

King of kings, my Beloved, You are more radiant than any man made of mere flesh and blood, in Your arms are the most blessedness found—convince us of Your love, and woo us with Your kindness we pray this day.