Psalms 45:10
Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy father’s house;
Psalms 45:10
Verse 10 commands: “Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy father’s house.” This is a wedding invitation motif, with the daughter leaving her natal kin to join the king. In ancient Near Eastern royal weddings, brides often left their family to solidify the political and covenant bond with the groom. The instruction to “incline thy ear” signals receptive submission to the king’s authority and the new covenantal realm she enters. The call to forget her own people emphasizes the seriousness of the transition: allegiance now primarily belongs to the king and his court. This language is evocative, highlighting loyalty, identity reorientation, and the covenantal bond that undergirds sacred marriage imagery.
Theologically, the verse explores faithful entrustment and allegiance under God’s design for leadership and covenant community. In Christian reading, this can be seen as an allegory of believers oriented toward Christ, leaving old allegiances to follow the new covenant. It also acknowledges the seriousness of belonging to God’s people—trusting in God’s plan over personal convenience.
Practically, this calls for deliberate re-prioritization when commitments shift. If you pursue a new job, ministry, or relationship, consider what you must leave behind to embrace the new calling faithfully. It’s not about severing ties with family, but about realigning loyalties toward God’s purposes and the collective good. For families, this can translate into healthy boundaries where personal ambitions are aligned with shared values and commitments to the community. In ministry or church life, evaluate whether your devotion to God and the community supersedes other loyalties.
Cross-References: Genesis 2:24; Ruth 1:16-17; Matthew 10:37; Ephesians 5:31-32