The Meaning of Psalms 45:3 Explained

Psalms 45:3

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

YLT: Gird Thy sword upon the thigh, O mighty, Thy glory and Thy majesty!

Darby: Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O mighty one, in thy majesty and thy splendour;

ASV: Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O mighty one, Thy glory and thy majesty.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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

What does Psalms 45:3 Mean?

Context Summary

Psalms 45:1-17 - The King's Wedding Song
Though this psalm was probably composed to celebrate Solomon's marriage with Pharaoh's daughter, we must remember that it is distinctly applied to our Lord in Hebrews 1:8. See also Ephesians 5:23; Revelation 19:7. What wonder that the psalmist's heart overflowed! It was bubbling up with good matter! His work was for a King! See Psalms 45:1, R.V., margin.
The Warrior, Psalms 45:2-5. The Word of God rides forth to war, followed by the armies of heaven. See Revelation 19:13. His glory is the Cross; His majesty is in His meekness; His prosperity, in His loyalty to truth. His arrows are tipped with love, and those who fall beneath them die that they may live. The King, Psalms 45:6-8. The oil of gladness is the anointing of the Holy Spirit, which we also may share. See 1 John 2:20; 1 John 2:27. The Bridegroom, Psalms 45:9-17. Clad in glistening raiment, the Church stands by her Lord, who claims her love and loyalty. But these are not inconsistent claims! By nature she was without beauty or dower; but she has won both in Him. See to it that you are not missing at that wedding-feast! Matthew 7:22-23. [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalms 45

1  The majesty and grace of Christ's kingdom
10  The duty of the church, and the benefits thereof

What do the individual words in Psalms 45:3 mean?

Gird Your sword upon [Your] thigh Mighty one with Your glory and Your majesty
חֲגֽוֹר־ חַרְבְּךָ֣ עַל־ יָרֵ֣ךְ גִּבּ֑וֹר ה֝וֹדְךָ֗ וַהֲדָרֶֽךָ

חֲגֽוֹר־  Gird 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperative, masculine singular
Root: חָגַר  
Sense: to gird, gird on, gird oneself, put on a belt.
חַרְבְּךָ֣  Your  sword 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular construct, second person masculine singular
Root: חֶרֶב  
Sense: sword, knife.
עַל־  upon 
Parse: Preposition
Root: עַל 
Sense: upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against.
יָרֵ֣ךְ  [Your]  thigh 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular
Root: יָרֵךְ  
Sense: thigh, side, loin, base.
גִּבּ֑וֹר  Mighty  one 
Parse: Adjective, masculine singular
Root: גִּבֹּור  
Sense: strong, mighty.
ה֝וֹדְךָ֗  with  Your  glory 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, second person masculine singular
Root: הֹוד  
Sense: splendour, majesty, vigour.
וַהֲדָרֶֽךָ  and  Your  majesty 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, masculine singular construct, second person masculine singular
Root: הָדָר  
Sense: ornament, splendour, honour.