The Eternal Throne
The king addressed as "God" would reign forever with a scepter of justice.
The Prophecy
Psalm 45:6-7
~1000 BCE
Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom. You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.
Manuscript Attestation
Dead Sea Scrolls Psalms manuscripts; all codices.
Ancient Jewish Interpretation
The Targum identifies the king as the Messiah. The psalm addresses the king as "God" (Elohim) while simultaneously distinguishing him from "God, your God" — creating the paradox of a divine yet distinct messianic figure. Bereshit Rabbah 99 connects this with the non-departing scepter of Genesis 49:10.
The Fulfillment
Hebrews 1:8-9
But about the Son he says, "Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom."
Narrative Context
The New Testament applies this royal wedding psalm directly to Jesus, arguing that the Messiah is addressed as "God" in the Hebrew Scriptures themselves.
The Evidence
The Targum's messianic identification and the psalm's address of the king as "Elohim" (God) are significant. Bereshit Rabbah 99 linking Psalm 45 to Genesis 49:10's scepter prophecy shows the rabbis saw a unified messianic thread connecting these texts. The Dead Sea Scrolls Psalms manuscripts confirm the text.