RR Psalm 45:9(8) Part 7
Shalom,
Today is designated by the United Nations as Holocaust Remembrance Day. https://www.ungeneva.org/en/meetings-events/events/observances-special-events/2026/01/holocaust-remembrance-day-27-january-2026 Israel will memorialize the Holocaust on another day, usually in May.
Rabbi Trail: Before we dive into today’s verse, I want to comment on the challenge of writing about my meditations on these next few verses of Psalm 45. The language used by the Psalmist is both colorful and symbolic, much like the language used in Song of Songs. This can presents challenges to understanding the symbolism. Now let’s enjoy….
Psalm 45:9 All your robes have myrrh, aloes, cassia. From ivory palaces, stringed instruments make you glad.
We have transitioned from describing this “King" as a “man” (Psalm 45:3a You are the most handsome of the sons of men.) to describing this “King” as a “bridegroom" with a “bride” (Psalm 45:15a She will be led to the king in embroidered garments.). In between these two verses, we have colorful descriptions. Our verse today, starts with the mention of myrrh, aloes and cassia.
Myrrh is well known as a costly fragrant spice which is first mentioned as being transported by the trade caravan into which Joseph was sold. In the New Testament, it was included among the gifts of the Maji to the baby Yeshua. Myrrh is the death spice, an embalming oil that represents death and mourning. Each of us must die to self to have life in Him.
Aloes are described in The Topical Bible as, “a symbol of beauty, wealth, and reverence, reflecting both the cultural practices of the time and deeper spiritual truths.” We know it in modern times as an herb that soothes burns, probably necessary after we go through the fire. It’s soothing qualities represent the consolations and comforts of the Lord.
Lastly, “cassia” is a precious resin valued for it’s strong aroma which is representative of His diverse graces. It is used (along with myrrh) in the formula for holy anointing oil. Exodus 30:22 Moreover Adonai spoke to Moses saying, 23 “Now take for yourself the best spices: 500 shekels of flowing myrrh, half as much sweet cinnamon (250), also 250 shekels of sweet calamus, 24 500 of cassia, after the Sanctuary shekel, plus a hin of olive oil. 25 You are to make holy anointing oil from it, a fragrant mixture, blended as the work of a perfumer. It will be holy anointing oil.
To these sweetly scented perfumes, let’s add a little string music (at the end of our subject verse) for gladness, and we have the perfect setting for a most pleasant wedding night. Revelation 19:7 Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready. Let’s meditate on this more tomorrow. Shalom shalom.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Tue27-Jan-20269th of Sh'vat, 5786
Ex 14:15-251 Ki 17Ps 119:25-48Jn 1:29-51(1 Th 1)
Today is designated by the United Nations as Holocaust Remembrance Day. https://www.ungeneva.org/en/meetings-events/events/observances-special-events/2026/01/holocaust-remembrance-day-27-january-2026 Israel will memorialize the Holocaust on another day, usually in May.
Rabbi Trail: Before we dive into today’s verse, I want to comment on the challenge of writing about my meditations on these next few verses of Psalm 45. The language used by the Psalmist is both colorful and symbolic, much like the language used in Song of Songs. This can presents challenges to understanding the symbolism. Now let’s enjoy….
Psalm 45:9 All your robes have myrrh, aloes, cassia. From ivory palaces, stringed instruments make you glad.
We have transitioned from describing this “King" as a “man” (Psalm 45:3a You are the most handsome of the sons of men.) to describing this “King” as a “bridegroom" with a “bride” (Psalm 45:15a She will be led to the king in embroidered garments.). In between these two verses, we have colorful descriptions. Our verse today, starts with the mention of myrrh, aloes and cassia.
Myrrh is well known as a costly fragrant spice which is first mentioned as being transported by the trade caravan into which Joseph was sold. In the New Testament, it was included among the gifts of the Maji to the baby Yeshua. Myrrh is the death spice, an embalming oil that represents death and mourning. Each of us must die to self to have life in Him.
Aloes are described in The Topical Bible as, “a symbol of beauty, wealth, and reverence, reflecting both the cultural practices of the time and deeper spiritual truths.” We know it in modern times as an herb that soothes burns, probably necessary after we go through the fire. It’s soothing qualities represent the consolations and comforts of the Lord.
Lastly, “cassia” is a precious resin valued for it’s strong aroma which is representative of His diverse graces. It is used (along with myrrh) in the formula for holy anointing oil. Exodus 30:22 Moreover Adonai spoke to Moses saying, 23 “Now take for yourself the best spices: 500 shekels of flowing myrrh, half as much sweet cinnamon (250), also 250 shekels of sweet calamus, 24 500 of cassia, after the Sanctuary shekel, plus a hin of olive oil. 25 You are to make holy anointing oil from it, a fragrant mixture, blended as the work of a perfumer. It will be holy anointing oil.
To these sweetly scented perfumes, let’s add a little string music (at the end of our subject verse) for gladness, and we have the perfect setting for a most pleasant wedding night. Revelation 19:7 Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready. Let’s meditate on this more tomorrow. Shalom shalom.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Tue27-Jan-20269th of Sh'vat, 5786
Ex 14:15-251 Ki 17Ps 119:25-48Jn 1:29-51(1 Th 1)
Posted in Rabbis Reflections
Recent
Archive
2026
January
RR Psalm 42:12(11) Part 8RR Psalm 43:1 Part 1RR In Praise of Milk By David HarwoodRR Psalm 43:2 Part 2RR Psalm 43:3 Part 3RR Psalm 43:4 Part 4RR Psalm 43:5 Part 5RR Psalm 44:1-5(1-4) Part 1RR “The Priority & Power of Relationship” by Jerry MillerRR Favor on top of Favor By David HarwoodRR Psalm 44:6-9(5-8) Part 2RR Psalm 44:10-13(9-12) Part 3RR Psalm 44:14-17(13-16) Part 4RR Psalm 44:18-22(17-21) Part 5RR The Throne By David HarwoodRR Psalm 44:23-27(22-26) Part 6RR Psalm 45:1-3(1,2) Part 1RR PPsalm 45:4(3) Part 2RR Psalm 45:5(4) Part 3RR Psalm 45:6(5) Part 4RR Psalm 45:7(6) Part 5RR “Guarding our Relationship with the Lord” by Jerry MillerRR Doubting Favor by David HarwoodRR Psalm 45:8(7) Part 6RR Psalm 45:9(8) Part 7
2025
May
RR Psalm 28:5 Part 5RR Psalm 28:6 Part 6RR Psalm 28:7a Part 7RR Psalm 28:7b Part 8RR Psalm 28:7c Part 9RR Psalm 28:7d Part 10RR Psalm 28:8 Part 11Rabbi’s Reflections - Saturday, May 10, 2025 by David HarwoodRR Psalm 28:9 Part 12RR Psalm 28:9 Part 13RR Psalm 28:9 Part 14RR Psalm 28:9 Part 15RR Psalm 29:1 Part 1RR Psalm 29:2 Part 2Favor From a Fooled Philistine By David HarwoodRR Psalm 29:3 Part 3RR Psalm 29:4 Part 4RR Psalm 29:5 Part 5RR Psalm 29:6 Part 6RR Psalm 29:7 Part 7RR Psalm 29:7 Part 7Favor/Grace in 2 Samuel and 1 Kings By David HarwoodRR Psalm 29:8 Part 8RR Psalm 29:10 Part 10RR Psalm 29:9 Part 9RR Psalm 29:11 Paert 11RR Psalm 30:1,2 Part 1RR Psalms 30:3 Part 2RR Psalm 30:4 Part 3Favor (Chen/Charis) in the Psalms By David HarwoodRR Psalm 30:5 Part 4
June
RR Psalm 30:6 Part 5RR Psalm 30:7 Part 6RR Psalm 30:8 Part 7RR - Psalm 30:9-11 Part 8RR Psalm 30:12,13 Part 9RR Favor (Chen/Charis) in Proverbs By David HarwoodRR Psalm 31:1,2 Part 1RR Psalm 31:3 Part 2RR Psalm 31:4 Part 3RR Psalm 31:5 Part 4RR Psalm 31:6 Part 5RR Psalm 31:7 Part 6RR Kohelet By David HarwoodRR “Taking Our Thoughts Captive – Part 2” By Jerry MillerRR Psalm 31:8 Part 7RR Psalm 31:8 Part 8RR Psalm 31:9 Part 9RR - Psalm 31:10 Part 10RR Psalm 31:11 Part 11Zechariah and Favor By David HarwoodRR - Psalm 31:12-14 Part 12RR Shalom SpecialRR Psalm 31:15 Part 13RR Psalm 31:16,17 Part 14RR Psalm 31:18 Part 15RR Psalm 31:19,20 Part 16RR Adonai-Tzva’ot and End-Time Favor By David HarwoodRR Psalm 31:21 Part 17RR Psalm 31:22 Part 18RR Psalm 31:23 Part 19
July
RR Psalm 31:24 Part 20RR Psalm 31:25 Part 21RR Psalm 32:1 Part 1Rabbi’s Reflections - Favor and Luke By David HarwoodRR Taking Thoughts Captive Part 3 by Jerry MillerRR Psalm 32:2 Part 2RR Psalm 32:3,4 Part 3RR Psalm 32:5 Part 4RR Psalm 32:5 Part 5Some Nuances of Charis By David HarwoodRR Psalm 32:6 Part 6RR Psalm 32:7 Part 7RR Psalm 32:8 Part 8RR Psalm 32:8 Part 9