Psalm 45 – Spiritual Leadership
Now that we have read and reflected on 44 psalms, it is instantly clear that Psalm 45 is different. The purpose of the psalm is not to complain to G-d, to praise G-d, to thank G-d or to marvel at His Word or Temple. Psalm 45 is classified as a royal psalm because its focus is on the king, and specifically, it is a liturgical poem that seems to have been recited at the king’s wedding (note the superscript). The king’s name is not mentioned but scholarly speculation is that it may have been originally created for King Ahab of the Northern Kingdom when he married Jezebel, who was a foreign princess (and a pagan). That historical scenario seems to fit the psalm’s content.
If that is the case, Ahab and Jezebel didn’t achieve the bar set for them in verses 6 and 7: the throne G-d set before them was to be a “scepter of justice;” they were to “love righteousness and hate wickedness.” The Old Testament book of I Kings narrates the reign of Ahab and Jezebel, and to say that they defied the exhortation set before them is an understatement.
To be the King of Israel, to be G-d’s representative on earth, to be not just a secular leader, but a spiritual leader as well, was to be tasked with righteous and just obedience so that your life might be a witness and testimony to the goodness of G-d. This is the obligation of spiritual leadership.
We all have a realm of influence, an environment where someone is looking to us for leadership and guidance. We all have a choice each day to use our influence for G-d’s righteousness and justice … or to follow the apostate path taken by Ahab. Today is the day to live out the exhortations of Psalm 45. Today is the day to live by G-d’s righteousness and justice so that you are a witness and testimony to all that is good about a relationship with G-d.
Godspeed,
DWach
