Anointing the Feet with Oil of Gladness in Psalm 45
Psalm 45:7 states, "You have loved righteousness, and hated wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows" [1]. This verse is part of a royal psalm, often interpreted as a wedding song for a king, but also carrying messianic implications [5]. The anointing with the "oil of gladness" signifies a special blessing and consecration.
In ancient Israel, anointing with oil was a common practice with various meanings. It was used for decorating and refreshing the person, purifying the body, and even for medicinal purposes [2, 3]. Olive oil was the primary type used [3]. More significantly, anointing symbolized consecration to a holy or sacred use, particularly for priests, kings, and prophets [4, 9]. For instance, the high priest and king were often referred to as "the anointed" [4]. The act of anointing a king was equivalent to crowning him [4].
The "oil of gladness" specifically points to joy and celebration. Oil was associated with feasts and times of solemn joy [5]. The psalmist also mentions wine making the heart glad, and oil making the face shine, further linking oil with joy and well-being [8]. The phrase "oil of gladness" in Psalm 45:7 is understood by some as a "token of gladness" [5].
Interpretations of Psalm 45:7 vary, particularly concerning the identity of the anointed one. Some Jewish traditions, like that of Rashi, see the anointing with oil as a general expression of greatness, customary for kings [7]. Abraham Ibn Ezra connects anointing oil with sanctification [6]. Christian interpretations often view this verse messianically, referring to Jesus Christ. John Gill, a Baptist/Reformed commentator, suggests that the "oil of gladness" refers to Jesus being anointed with the Holy Ghost and power, filled with the Spirit's gifts and graces without measure [10]. The Jamieson, Fausset & Brown commentary notes that while Psalm 45:6 emphasizes the divine nature, Psalm 45:7 highlights the moral qualities of the human nature as the reason for mediatorial exaltation, suggesting the anointing applies to Christ's human nature [5]. The "fellows" mentioned in the verse are understood by some as other kings, over whom the anointed one is exalted [5].
Sources
- Psalms “You have loved righteousness, and hated wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows. -- Psalms 45:7”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Anointing — With oil -- Ps 92:10. With ointment -- Joh 11:2. Was used for Decorating the person. -- Ru 3:3. Refreshing the body. -- 2Ch 28:15. Purifying the body. -- Es 2:12; Isa 57:9. Curing the sick. -- Mr 6:13; Jas 5:14. Healing wounds. -- Isa 1:6; Lu 10:34. Preparing weapons for war. -- Isa 21:5. Preparing the dead for burial. -- Mt 26:12; Mr 16:1; Lu 23:56. The Jews were very fond of. -- Pr 27:9; Am 6:6. Was applied to The head. -- Ps 23:5; Ec 9:8. The face. -- Ps 104:15. The feet. -- Lu 7:38,39; Joh 12:3. The eyes. -- Re 3:18. Ointment for Richly perfumed. -- S”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Oil — Only olive oil seems to have been used among the Hebrews. It was used for many purposes: for anointing the body or the hair (Ex. 29:7; 2 Sam. 14:2; Ps. 23:5; 92:10; 104:15; Luke 7:46); in some of the offerings (Ex. 29:40; Lev. 7:12; Num. 6:15; 15:4), but was excluded from the sin-offering (Lev. 5:11) and the jealousy-offering (Num. 5:15); for burning in lamps (Ex. 25:6; 27:20; Matt. 25:3); for medicinal purposes (Isa. 1:6; Luke 10:34; James 5:14); and for anointing the dead (Matt. 26:12; Luke 23:56). It was one of the most valuable products of the country (Deut”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Anoint — The practice of anointing with perfumed oil was common among the Hebrews. (1.) The act of anointing was significant of consecration to a holy or sacred use; hence the anointing of the high priest (Ex. 29:29; Lev. 4:3) and of the sacred vessels (Ex. 30:26). The high priest and the king are thus called "the anointed" (Lev. 4:3, 5, 16; 6:20; Ps. 132:10). Anointing a king was equivalent to crowning him (1 Sam. 16:13; 2 Sam. 2:4, etc.). Prophets were also anointed (1 Kings 19:16; 1 Chr. 16:22; Ps. 105:15). The expression, "anoint the shield" (Isa. 21:5), refers t”
- Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 45:7: As in Psa 45:6 the divine nature is made prominent, here the moral qualities of the human are alleged as the reason or ground of the mediatorial exultation. Some render "O God, thy God," instead of God, thy God--but the latter is sustained by the same form (Psa 50:7), and it was only of His human nature that the anointing could be predicated (compare Isa 61:3). oil of gladness--or token of gladness, as used in feasts and other times of solemn joy (compare Kg1 1:39-40). fellows--other kings.”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Exodus 30:29: AND THOU SHALT SANCTIFY. With the anointing oil.”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) on Psalms 45:8: anointed you...with oil of joy Every expression of greatness is depicted by the anointment of oil, as is the custom of the kings.”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 104:15: And wine that maketh glad the heart of man,.... That is, by means of rain watering the earth, vines are caused to grow out of it; which produce wine, that has such a virtue in it, as to cheer the heart of man, even of a miserable, distressed, and afflicted man, as the word (p) is supposed to signify, Jdg 9:13. Of this nature are (and therefore are compared to wine, or expressed by it) the love of God and Christ; the blessings of grace, the doctrines of the Gospel, the ordinances of it; particularly that of the Lord's supper, and even the joys of heaven. And oil to”
- Genesis (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Genesis 28:18: 28:18 Anointing with oil became a way of setting something apart for divine use in Israel’s worship (Exod 29:1-7; 40:9; Lev 2:1; 1 Sam 10:1).”
- Acts (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Acts 10:38: How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth,.... And so declared him to be the Messiah, that was promised to the Jews, and expected by them; the anointed prophet, priest, and King; who because his parents lived at Nazareth, and he was educated there, and there he chiefly preached and wrought his miracles, he was by way of contempt called Jesus of Nazareth: and him God anointed, with the Holy Ghost and with power; with the gifts and graces of the Spirit, without measure; signified by the descent of the Spirit, as a dove upon him at his baptism, and is what in Psa 45:7 is calle”