Single lesson
Psalm 45: My Heart Is Stirred by a Noble Theme
Psalms 45:1–17
Psalm 45 is a poem spoken for a king. It begins with the writer’s eager words, praises the king’s character and rule, then turns to the queen and ends with a promise that the king’s name will be remembered.
Before you teach
In this psalm, the speaker says his heart overflows and that he recites verses for the king. The poem praises the king’s grace, majesty, righteousness and lasting throne, then speaks to a daughter who stands as queen, and finishes with future generations giving thanks.
Students will identify the speaker, describe the poem’s main images, and trace how Psalm 45 moves from the writer’s opening words to praise for the king, then to the queen, and finally to lasting remembrance.
Welcome: A poem with movement
4 minTell the class that Psalm 45 is a poem. Ask them to listen for who is speaking and who is being addressed. Read verse 1 aloud first and notice the overflowing heart, the king, and the tongue compared to a skilful writer’s pen. This helps children expect rich picture language.
Psalms 45:1
Read and explain: Praise for the king
8 minRead verses 2 to 9. Point out the images: graceful lips, sword, majesty, arrows, throne, sceptre, fragrant garments, music, and the queen in gold. Explain that the poem praises the king’s rule with words like truth, humility, righteousness and equity. Help children hear both beauty and strength in the poem.
Psalms 45:2, Psalms 45:3, Psalms 45:4, Psalms 45:5, Psalms 45:6, Psalms 45:7, Psalms 45:8, Psalms 45:9
Discuss: The poem turns to the queen
6 minRead verses 10 to 15. Show that the poem changes direction by speaking to the daughter and describing the queen and princess. Ask children to notice repeated listening and honour words, rich clothing, companions, gladness and rejoicing. This part helps them trace the poem’s movement instead of treating every line the same way.
Psalms 45:10, Psalms 45:11, Psalms 45:12, Psalms 45:13, Psalms 45:14, Psalms 45:15
Make and respond: Noble theme image card
8 minChildren create a folded card with three panels: the writer’s opening words, the king’s praise, and the queen with the joyful procession. In each panel they draw one image from the psalm and write a matching phrase. As they work, remind them that poems use images to express honour, joy and remembrance.
Psalms 45:1, Psalms 45:4, Psalms 45:6, Psalms 45:13, Psalms 45:15, Psalms 45:17
Closing: Remembered in all generations
4 minRead verses 16 and 17 to finish. Ask children to tell the order of the poem in their own words: the writer begins, the king is praised, the queen is addressed, and the name is remembered. End by repeating that this poem celebrates a noble theme with careful, joyful words.
Psalms 45:16, Psalms 45:17
Questions to explore
In verse 1, who is speaking, and what clues show that this is a carefully prepared poem?
Look for the words about the heart overflowing, reciting verses for the king, and the tongue being like a skilful writer’s pen.
Psalms 45:1
Which words in verses 4 to 7 show what kind of rule the poem praises?
Notice the words truth, humility, righteousness, equity, loved righteousness and hated wickedness.
Psalms 45:4, Psalms 45:6, Psalms 45:7
Where does the poem clearly change focus, and what new person is addressed after that point?
Listen for the line that begins with a direct call to listen, then identify the daughter or queen who is described afterwards.
Psalms 45:10, Psalms 45:11, Psalms 45:13, Psalms 45:15
Make, think or respond
Noble Theme Three-Panel Card
What you’ll need
- paper or thin card
- pencils
- coloured pencils or crayons
- Bible text
Try it together
- Fold one sheet into three panels.
- Label the panels: Writer, King, and Queen with Procession.
- In each panel, draw one image from the psalm and copy a short matching phrase from the passage.
- Share the card with a partner and explain how the poem moves from one panel to the next.
This activity helps children notice the speaker, the poem’s images, and the way Psalm 45 moves through its different parts.
Adapt for your group
- For younger children, pre-select three short phrases for copying: 'My heart overflows', 'A scepter of equity', and 'With gladness and rejoicing'.
- For stronger readers, ask them to add verse numbers beside each drawing and explain why that image fits its place in the poem.
An optional closing prayer
You may pray: 'God, thank you for giving us poems in Scripture. Please help us listen carefully to your words and understand what this psalm praises. Amen.'
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Psalms 45
1 My heart overflows with a noble theme. I recite my verses for the king. My tongue is like the pen of a skillful writer.
2 You are the most excellent of the sons of men. Grace has anointed your lips, therefore God has blessed you forever.
3 Strap your sword on your thigh, O mighty one, in your splendor and your majesty.
4 In your majesty ride on victoriously on behalf of truth, humility, and righteousness. Let your right hand display awesome deeds.
5 Your arrows are sharp. The nations fall under you, with arrows in the heart of the king’s enemies.
6 Your throne, God, is forever and ever. A scepter of equity is the scepter of your kingdom.
7 You have loved righteousness, and hated wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows.
8 All your garments smell like myrrh, aloes, and cassia. Out of ivory palaces stringed instruments have made you glad.
9 Kings’ daughters are among your honorable women. At your right hand the queen stands in gold of Ophir.
10 Listen, daughter, consider, and turn your ear. Forget your own people, and also your father’s house.
11 So the king will desire your beauty, honor him, for he is your lord.
12 The daughter of Tyre comes with a gift. The rich among the people entreat your favor.
13 The princess inside is all glorious. Her clothing is interwoven with gold.
14 She shall be led to the king in embroidered work. The virgins, her companions who follow her, shall be brought to you.
15 With gladness and rejoicing they shall be led. They shall enter into the king’s palace.
16 Your sons will take the place of your fathers. You shall make them princes in all the earth.
17 I will make your name to be remembered in all generations. Therefore the peoples shall give you thanks forever and ever.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.