8 But of the Son He says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, and the righteous scepter is the scepter of His kingdom. 9 You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness above Your companions.”

Not only is Jesus greater than the angels because He is the Son of God, but He is greater than angels because He is the King. The author of Hebrews adds to his argument for the superiority of Christ, two verses from Psalm 45 (vss. 6-7). That Psalm, an ode of love to the King, begins, “My heart overflows with a good theme; I address my verses to the King; my tongue is the pen of a ready writer. You are fairer than the sons of men; grace is poured upon Your lips. Therefore God has blessed You forever.” The psalm continues to speak of, “Your Splendor and Your majesty…” (vs. 4).

In its time and cultural context, the king of Israel is in view. While some suggest this would be King Solomon, it is better to see King David as the immediate reference. That this passage goes beyond David, though, is evident in the quoted verse itself, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever.” The king is identified as being God (elohim) Himself. He is absolutely supreme. For the writer of Hebrews to use this passage to support the supremacy of Christ over angels would be blasphemous, if Christ were not, in fact, Elohim, the God of all creation. This passage, then, is one of the strongest assertions of the deity of Christ in Scripture.

While some might argue that Psalm 45 taken by itself is simply a poem of devotion to the king of Israel, the inspired writer of Hebrews asserts that it (at least the two verses quoted) refer to Jesus Christ. This is a case of letting Scripture interpret Scripture. But notice now, the description of Christ. His reign will never end. His rule as King is absolutely righteous. He is no ordinary, earthly ruler who decrees capriciously on his own personal whims. He loves righteousness; it is not a burdensome task. What a hope that gives us, especially when we see the limitations and unrighteousness of earthly leaders.

So, it was with great joy that God (the Father) anointed Him (God the Son), with the “oil of gladness.” The imagery points us back to the appointment of David to be king of Israel, when Samuel “took the horn of oil and anointed [David] in the midst of his brothers …” (1 Sam 16:12). Clearly, this is a common theme of the New Testament, that David of the OT was the picture of Christ in the NT.

Lord Jesus Christ, You are my King and my God. Greater than angels, greater than David, the one who pictured your coming. Like the angels, I worship You.