- Psalms 45:1, unlike many of the other introductions, indicates the nature of the Psalm to follow; what is it?
- Is it a woman (bride) who is the speaker (Psalms 45:2)?
- Who is described in Psalms 45:3?
- And is the one “fairer than all men” a hero — a warrior — a king or some other type of leader?
- And, in any case, is his “cause” conquest or does Psalms 45:5 specify a different goal for the hero?
- Based upon Psalms 45:8, would this Psalm appear to be addressed to a king or other ruler?
- And, in Psalms 45:8, note the Hebrew word “m’shahakha” — translated usually in English as “you have been anointed”. How would this relate to the term messiah — but in a human dimension?
- Would Psalms 45:9-10 echo portions of the Song of Songs?
- Who, in Psalms 45:11 is the speaker?
- In Psalms 45:13 reference is made to a “daughter of Tyre” — would this indicate that the bride is non-Jewish by origin but, as in Psalms 45:11, mandated to “forget your people and your father’s house”? Would this imply choosing to become an Israelite?
- In Psalms 45:14-17, is it either the bride or the groom who is speaking or, rather, a third party?
- What is predicted for the “royal couple” in the closing refrains of this chapter?
- Is there any mention, at any point, as to who the “ruler” might have been?
- And, might this, at some later date, have been a “wedding song” at a hatunah?
