Christ-like Husbands
Psalm 45:2 – Grace is poured on your lips; therefore God has blessed you forever.
Reading: Psalm 45:1-9
The wedding of Prince William and Catherine (Kate) Middleton took place on April 29, 2011, in the Westminster Abbey. Around the world people were glued to their screens as they watched the royal bridal pageantry unfold.
Psalm 45 is a love song that describes a royal wedding—not within the House of Windsor, but within the House of David. We don’t know exactly which regal marriage the sons of Korah are singing about, but we do know that this majestic groom, portrayed in the verses 2-9, is also a prophetic description of Christ, the great son of David. Hebrews 1:8-9 makes that connection very clear.
Yet if Psalm 45 speaks about Christ, the Eternal Bridegroom, then it also speaks to Christian husbands today because husbands are called to imitate Christ as they live together with their wives (Eph. 5:25). So what can a God-fearing husband learn from this psalm about how he should treat his wife?
One thing that stands out is how this royal groom has grace poured upon his lips. People also spoke about Jesus Christ in the same way. Indeed, they “marveled at the gracious words that were coming from his mouth” (Luke 4:22). If you are a married man, or hope to be a married man one day, can the same be said about the words that come from your mouth? Are they, in a word, gracious?
Taking this a step farther, what does a grace-filled mouth sound like? In short, grace is undeserved kindness. So, a husband with grace poured on his lips speaks kind words, even when his wife may not deserve it.
To be more specific, a Christ-like husband speaks words of kindness to his wife, even if she has done something that frustrates him. A Christ-like husband also speaks kind words about his wife, rather than highlighting her faults when he’s chatting with the guys. And most importantly, a Christ-like husband speaks grace-filled words with his wife, as he prays with and for her, his hand lovingly folded with hers as they together come before the throne of God in their daily marriage prayers.
Some men like to specialize in macho words. Christ-like husbands, though, aim to excel in grace-filled words. After all, that is the kind of speech that God blesses both now and forevermore.