"You are the most handsome of the sons of men…" (Psalm 45:2a, ESV)
Who is the most handsome man you can think of? Let’s see.
I can’t think of any of . . .oh yes: James Dean, Brad Pitt, Cary Grant, Myself, Dave Grohl, Jared Leto, Tim McGraw . . . and Myself.
No really, of all the handsome faces out there, I know of someone more handsome yet.
We are not told the identity of the King in Psalm 45. Some think this was King David. Prior to his coronation as king, David was described as “ruddy and had beautiful eyes and was handsome” (1 Sam 16:12, ESV). Others suggest it might be David’s son, King Solomon. Interestingly, there is no description of Solomon other than being the wisest and wealthiest king in Israel; however, the word “handsome” used is our psalm is found in another love song written by Solomon, where a bride sings of her lover--does he describe himself?
"My beloved is radiant and ruddy, distinguished among ten thousand. His head is the finest gold; his locks are wavy, black as a raven. His eyes are like doves beside streams of water, bathed in milk, sitting beside a full pool. His cheeks are like beds of spices, mounds of sweet-smelling herbs. His lips are lilies, dripping liquid myrrh. His arms are rods of gold, set with jewels. His body is polished ivory, bedecked with sapphires. His legs are alabaster columns, set on bases of gold. His appearance is like Lebanon, choice as the cedars. His mouth is most sweet, and he is altogether desirable. This is my beloved and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem." (Song of Solomon 5:10-16)
Now if Solomon (or the man he is describing) is better looking that ten thousand men, look again at the description of the King of Psalm 45--he is more handsome than any man born! Is this even possible? Can this be true, that one man can be more handsome than anyone, of all time, ever? What kind of poetry is this? Who is this guy? Why haven’t we heard of him?
The answer is simple: ask a person in love. The skilled writer describes the King through the eyes of His Bride. What is one person to another in love, but the most beautiful, most handsome, most fair of anyone? Just ask any mother--her baby is the most precious. In the same way, look through the eyes of lovers and see how each views the other--the most radiant and fair. Without compare.
But here’s another way to think: What makes a beautiful human being? There are more than physical features that make a person beautiful, for after a time when features change and perhaps fade, what remains? The true person. Here lies true beauty. Among the “sons of men,” this man is not worried about what others think. He is genuine. He is true to Himself. He is the standard by which others are measured.
More tomorrow!
