Bible Strands
Psalms 45:2
You are the most handsome of men; grace has anointed your lips; therefore God has blessed you forever.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — A son of Korah addresses the king during a royal wedding or coronation, reciting verses that stir his heart (v. 1). The moment is celebratory and public.
The words — חֵן (chen, "grace, favor") is the object of ה֣וּצַק (hu.tzak, "poured out"); the image is liquid grace poured onto the king's lips, as if his speech itself is anointed.
The thread — Luke 4:22 records the same effect: gracious words from Jesus' lips that move a crowd. Song of Solomon 5:10 echoes the superlative beauty ("outstanding among ten thousand"), and Psalm 21:6 repeats the "forever" blessing.
Why it lands — The verse ties the king's worth to his speech: grace is not merely on him but on his words. It asks the reader to consider what kind of speech God blesses and what it means that favor is poured on lips rather than on the head.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.
Cross-references
- Luke 4:22 All spoke well of Him and marveled at the gracious words that came from His lips. “Isn’t this the son of Joseph?” they asked.
- Song of Solomon 5:10 My beloved is dazzling and ruddy, outstanding among ten thousand.
- Psalms 21:6 For You grant him blessings forever; You cheer him with joy in Your presence.
- John 7:46 “Never has anyone spoken like this man!” the officers answered.
- Hebrews 7:26 Such a high priest truly befits us—One who is holy, innocent, undefiled, set apart from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.
- Song of Solomon 2:3 Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest is my beloved among the young men. I delight to sit in his shade, and his fruit is sweet to my taste.
- John 1:14 The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
- Psalms 72:17 May his name endure forever; may his name continue as long as the sun shines. In him may all nations be blessed; may they call him blessed.
- Proverbs 22:11 He who loves a pure heart and gracious lips will have the king for a friend.
- Matthew 17:2 There He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.