The Meaning of Psalms 45:8 Explained

Psalms 45:8

KJV: All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad.

YLT: Myrrh and aloes, cassia! all thy garments, Out of palaces of ivory Stringed instruments have made thee glad.

Darby: Myrrh and aloes, cassia, are all thy garments; out of ivory palaces stringed instruments have made thee glad.

ASV: All thy garments'smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia; Out of ivory palaces stringed instruments have made thee glad.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

All thy garments  [smell] of myrrh,  and aloes,  [and] cassia,  out of the ivory  palaces,  whereby  they have made thee glad. 

What does Psalms 45:8 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 45:8 mean?

With myrrh and aloes [and] cassia all Your garments are [scented] Out of the palaces ivory by which they have made You glad
מֹר־ וַאֲהָל֣וֹת קְ֭צִיעוֹת כָּל־ בִּגְדֹתֶ֑יךָ מִֽן־ הֵ֥יכְלֵי שֵׁ֝֗ן מִנִּ֥י שִׂמְּחֽוּךָ

מֹר־  With  myrrh 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: מֹר  
Sense: myrrh.
וַאֲהָל֣וֹת  and  aloes 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, masculine plural
Root: אָהָל 
Sense: aloes, aloe tree.
קְ֭צִיעוֹת  [and]  cassia 
Parse: Noun, feminine plural
Root: קְצִיעָה  
Sense: cassia.
בִּגְדֹתֶ֑יךָ  Your  garments  are  [scented] 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct, second person masculine singular
Root: בֶּגֶד 
Sense: treachery, deceit.
מִֽן־  Out 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: מִן 
Sense: from, out of, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not, more than.
הֵ֥יכְלֵי  of  the  palaces 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct
Root: הֵיכָל  
Sense: palace, temple, nave, sanctuary.
שֵׁ֝֗ן  ivory 
Parse: Noun, common singular
Root: שֵׁן  
Sense: tooth, ivory.
מִנִּ֥י  by  which 
Parse: Preposition
Root: מֵן 
Sense: string (of harp).
שִׂמְּחֽוּךָ  they  have  made  You  glad 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Perfect, third person common plural, second person masculine singular
Root: שָׂמַח  
Sense: to rejoice, be glad.