My Heart Is Stirred by a Noble Theme (1 Kings 3:1–15; 2 Chronicles 1:1–13; Psalm 72:1–20)
1 UST There is something wonderful that I feel so strongly about that I must sing about it. I will sing a song that I have composed in honor of the king. As I sing, I will express my ideas in an orderly and complete way, just like a scribe who records quickly and accurately what he hears people say. BSB BSB: For the choirmaster. To the tune of “The Lilies.” A Maskil of the sons of Korah. A love song. My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses to the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer.
2 UST O King, you are the most handsome man in the world! You speak very graciously! So we know that God has always blessed you. BSB BSB: You are the most handsome of men; grace has anointed your lips; therefore God has blessed you forever.
3 UST Prepare yourself to keep fighting powerfully{ for justice}! You are glorious and majestic when you do that. BSB BSB: Strap your sword at your side, O mighty warrior; appear in your majesty and splendor.
4 UST Go and win victories to establish yourself as a king who is honest, who does not proudly oppress his people, and who does what is right. As you do that, may you find that your skill as a warrior terrifies anyone who would resist you. BSB BSB: In your splendor ride forth in victory on behalf of truth and humility and justice; may your right hand show your awesome deeds.
5 UST Your sharp arrows pierce into the hearts of your enemies. You defeat the people groups that fight against you. BSB BSB: Your arrows pierce the hearts of the king’s foes; the nations fall beneath your feet.
6 UST Your Majesty, you will be the king for a very long time. You decide people’ s cases fairly as you rule your kingdom. BSB BSB: Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever, and justice is the scepter of Your kingdom.
7 UST You love it when people do what is right, and you hate it when people do what is wrong. That is why God, whom you worship, has made you so happy. You are happier than all the people around you. BSB BSB: You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you above your companions with the oil of joy.
8 UST Your royal robes smell beautifully of{ the spices} myrrh, aloes, and cassia. From within your palace, which has ivory decorations, you hear people playing stringed instruments. That music makes you happy. BSB BSB: All your garments are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia; from palaces of ivory the harps make you glad.
9 UST The honored women of your court include foreign princesses.{ Your bride,} the queen, is standing at your right side. Threads of gold fine gold from Ophir decorate her robe. BSB BSB: The daughters of kings are among your honored women; the queen stands at your right hand, adorned with the gold of Ophir.
10 UST And as for you, dear bride, please listen carefully to my advice. From now on, regard this as your country and these people as your family. BSB BSB: Listen, O daughter! Consider and incline your ear: Forget your people and your father’s house,
11 UST If you do that, the king will love and appreciate you even more. Bow down in front of him to honor him as your husband and king. BSB BSB: and the king will desire your beauty; bow to him, for he is your lord.
12 UST Representatives of{ foreign kingdoms such as the wealthy kingdom} of Tyre will bring gifts to you. The wealthy people of this kingdom will ask you to treat them favorably. BSB BSB: The Daughter of Tyre will come with a gift; men of wealth will seek your favor.
13 UST This royal princess looked so beautiful in her private room where she had dressed for the wedding! She had put on a robe that gold threads richly decorated. BSB BSB: All glorious is the princess in her chamber; her gown is embroidered with gold.
14 UST As she came in procession to where you are, O king, people could see that her robe also had beautiful designs of colored thread. Other young women, her bridesmaids, followed her in that procession. BSB BSB: In colorful garments she is led to the king; her virgin companions are brought before you.
15 UST As they came in procession into your palace, this made everyone very happy. BSB BSB: They are led in with joy and gladness; they enter the palace of the king.
16 UST You will be famous not because of your ancestors but because of your descendants. They will have influence and authority all over the world. BSB BSB: Your sons will succeed your fathers; you will make them princes throughout the land.
17 UST { By this song,} I want to make the people of future generations remember what a great king you are. Then people will always say good things about you. BSB BSB: I will commemorate your name through all generations; therefore the nations will praise you forever and ever.
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.