“Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.”
(Psalm 45:6)
The King promised to Zion did not arrive as the world expects kings to arrive. He did not enter Jerusalem in polished armor surrounded by an impressive entourage. Instead, He came riding on a colt the foal of an ass. His entrance was not one of circumstance but the deliberate fulfillment of prophecy and a declaration of the nature of His kingdom.
Still Jerusalem’s streets echoed with cries of praise. “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord!” The city rejoiced. The crowd exulted. But the adoration was short-lived. The same voices that cried blessing were soon raised in hatred. “Crucify him! Crucify him!”
Yet this rejection did not undo His reign. Heaven did not hesitate. God had already set Him upon His holy hill of Zion and this decree was unmovable. “Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.” The inheritance was promised. The ends of the earth were placed under His dominion. The Father declared it, and man could not overturn it because Christ’s throne was not dependent on popular approval; it was established by divine decree.
Psalm 45 declares, “Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever.” This is no ordinary kingship. This throne belongs to One who is called God, One who loves righteousness and hates wickedness. For this reason God has anointed Him with the oil of gladness above His fellows. These words belong to One who is both God and man, and Jesus of Nazareth alone fits the description.[1]
His kingship is inseparable from His resurrection and exaltation. As the psalmist echoes the voice of Christ, “Thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.” The crucified King did not remain in the grave. He rose the third day and showed Himself alive by many infallible proofs. He ascended in the presence of witnesses, and a cloud received Him.
God, as Spirit, fills all places; He does not move from one space to another. The ascension, therefore, belongs to the incarnate Son. The same One who breathed His final breath on Calvary rose the third day, appeared to His disciples, and was taken up into heaven. The throne spoken of in Psalm 45 is occupied by the risen Christ. His reign is active, present, and unending because His throne is forever, His scepter is righteous, and His rule is just.
Contemplations:
- Christ’s kingship does not depend on human approval. I am reminded that praise can be loud and shallow at the same time. The crowd welcomed Christ one day and rejected Him the next. Yet rights to His throne remained untouched. Christ reigns whether He is welcomed or despised. I am grateful that my security does not rest on public favor but on a throne established by God.
- The humility of Christ reveals the nature of His power. He came lowly, not because He lacked authority but because His authority is perfect. His rule is righteous and His scepter is straight. I bow before my King whose power is governed by holiness.
- The resurrection guarantees the permanence of Christ’s reign. I give thanks that Christ did not remain in the grave. His ascension confirms that His work was accepted and His authority secured. When I look at the instability around me, I am thankful for Christ’s rule that is everlasting.
- Creation itself affirms Christ’s right to reign. The trembling earth and darkened sky testified that Christ’s death and reign are not small matters. Even the elements responded. I am thankful that the truth of Christ’s kingship is woven into history, prophecy, and the witness of creation itself.
Prayer (thanksgiving)
Righteous King, I give You thanks that Your throne is forever and ever. You reign without interruption, without threat, and without end. I thank You that Your authority does not rise and fall with the opinions of men. You were rejected, mocked, and crucified, yet never dethroned. Your scepter remains righteous. Your rule remains just.
I thank You for Your resurrection. You did not leave Your people with empty promises but showed Yourself alive. You stood among witnesses. You ascended in glory.
I am grateful that Your kingdom is righteous and that Your authority is never arbitrary, never corrupt, never unstable. When earthly power disappoints, You remain faithful.
I thank You that creation itself affirms Your kingship. At Your death the earth trembled. The heavens darkened. History itself responded. The truth of who You are is forever established in what You have done and what You continue to do.
And I am grateful that I live under such a King and belong to a kingdom that cannot be shaken. Receive my gratitude, my allegiance, and my praise, for You are worthy.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Further Scripture References for Psalm 45:6:
Heb. 1:8-9, Psalm 93:2, Isa. 9:7, Psalm 2:6
[1] William Cooper, The Promised Seed. Early American Imprints, 1639-1800; No. 30279 (Boston: Manning & Loring, 1796), 25-28.
