The promise made at first to Abraham was afterwards repeated not only to Jacob, but long centuries afterward to his descendant, David, in a solemn, prophetic message, relating first to the reign of Solomon, but ending with these words: "And thy house and thy kingdom shall be established forever before thee. Thy throne shall be established forever." That David understood these words as a promise that the Redeemer should be of his seed is evident from the declaration of St. Peter in Acts ii. 30, where he says that "David being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his loins he would raise up Messiah to sit on his throne, spake thus concerning him." The Psalms of David are full of heaving, many-colored clouds and mists of poetry, out of which shine here and there glimpses of the mystic future. In the second Psalm we have a majestic drama. The heathen are raging against Jehovah and his anointed Son. They say, Let us break their bands in sunder and cast away their cords. Then the voice of Jehovah is heard in the tumult, saying calmly, "Yet have I set my king on my holy hill of Zion." Then an angelic herald proclaims:-- "I will declare the decree. The Lord hath spoken: Thou art my Son; This day have I begotten thee: Ask of me and I will give the heathen for thine inheritance, And the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession." This mighty king, this glorious defender, is celebrated as the All-Loving One. His reign is to be a reign of truth and love. All the dearest forms of human affection are used to shadow forth what he will be to his people. He is to be the royal bridegroom; his willing people the bride. So, in the forty-fifth Psalm, entitled "A Song of Love," we have the image of a mighty conqueror--radiant, beloved, adored, a being addressed both as God and the Son of God, who goes forth to victory:-- "Thou art fairer than the children of men. Grace is poured into thy lips. Therefore God hath blessed thee forever. Gird thy sword on thy thigh, O most mighty, with thy glory and majesty. And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of thy truth and meekness and righteousness. Thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things. Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever. A sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. Thou lovest righteousness and hatest iniquity. Therefore God--thy God--hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows." Then follows a description of the royal bride, the king's daughter, who is all glorious within--her clothing of wrought gold--who with gladness and rejoicing shall be brought to the king to become mother of princes.