The definition of identity is who you are, the way you think about yourself, the way you are viewed by the world, and the characteristics that define you. In some senses, identity is something you give yourself. Do you know the definition of our self-identity is ever-changing? Anything rooted in the concept of “self” is by its human essence destined to be transient and temporary. Not only do our feelings about “self” shift with age, experience, maturity, circumstance, etc., but the roles that define us (mother, wife, career, etc.) are also subject to the way of all the earth. All or any of the pieces of who I am can be lost to me in a moment. What then is the answer to the question of expectations and self-identity for Christian women? As daughters of the King, who we are and what we have comes from Who He is and what He gives!

In Psalm 45, we find a description of our King. Speaking of the King, “Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever. Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty. And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things. Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the king’s enemies; whereby the people fall under thee. Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre. Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad.” (v. 2-8) Now speaking to the King’s daughter, “Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy father’s house (We are to “forget” all earthly ties in the sense that our Lord is the focus of all our love and service); So shall the King greatly desire thy beauty (The more we forsake the cares and foolishness of this world, the more beautiful we are to Christ): for He is thy Lord; and worship thou Him.” (v. 10-11)

Who He Is:

First, He is “fairer than the children of men.” The Psalmist, who was after God’s own heart, declares in Psalm 27:4, “One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord…” He speaks again in Psalm 29:2, “Give unto the Lord the glory due unto His name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.” We read in Psalm 96:6, “Honour and majesty are before Him: strength and beauty are in His sanctuary.” And, of course, Zechariah 9:17, “For how great is His goodness, and how great is His beauty!” Our King is beautiful in His character and attributes; He is gracious in His goodness and in His love. He is so unlike us. We can live a life of personal holiness and yet deal with others unjustly. We can speak in love but forsake the truth of His holiness. Not so our King! He is more beautiful and better than all others… our “Fairest Lord Jesus”!

Our King is also mighty. “Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty.” He is mighty in His omniscience, omnipresence, and omnipotent power! He is infinite in knowledge, everywhere present, and all powerful! He is unlimited in His might. He keeps every promise in His faithful Word. He never fails.

It is no surprise then, as we look at verse five, that our King is victorious. “Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the king’s enemies; whereby the people fall under thee.” He always wins! His sovereign will will go forward.

He is the eternal and unchanging King. “Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever.” He has always been and always shall be. He is the final Judge of all people and nations, make no mistake.

In verse seven, we read of our King, “Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness.” And so, we are reminded that He is holy and righteous. He hates sin, and we see His holiness acted out as He deals with His creation in righteousness, truth, and justice.

Finally, our King is the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Psalm 45:8 says, “All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad.” This is what we call a Messianic Psalm. It prophesies of One Who will come to save His people. Philippians 2:9-11 proclaims: “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.”