David
Psalm 110
A Psalm of David.
Scripture (KJV)
1The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
2The Lord shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.
3Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.
4The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.
5The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath.
6He shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill the places with the dead bodies; he shall wound the heads over many countries.
7He shall drink of the brook in the way: therefore shall he lift up the head.
Summary
Psalm 110 is the most quoted Old Testament text in the New Testament, a brief but towering oracle of the Messiah’s kingship and priesthood. David, speaking by the Spirit, records a divine decree: “The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.” Jesus cites this verse to show that the Christ is both David’s son and David’s Lord (Matthew 22:44). The psalm proceeds to portray the Messiah’s rule from Zion, His willing people arrayed in holy beauty, and an unchangeable divine oath: “Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.” Hebrews 5-7 unfolds this verse to reveal Christ’s eternal, superior priesthood.
The closing verses depict the Lord at the Messiah’s right hand striking through kings in the day of His wrath, judging the nations, and then drinking from the brook in the way and lifting up the head in triumph. The major themes are messianic kingship, eternal priesthood, divine decree, victory, and judgment. Practically, the psalm anchors the believer’s confidence in the enthroned Christ who rules until every enemy is subdued. The great lesson is that the Lord has sworn and will not repent: Jesus is both King and Priest forever.
Key Themes
A Prayer from Psalm 110
Lord, You have declared by unchangeable oath that Your Christ sits at Your right hand until His enemies become His footstool. Send the rod of His strength out of Zion, and let Him rule in the midst of His enemies. Make me willing in the day of His power, arrayed in the beauties of holiness, refreshed with the dew of youth. Thank You that Jesus is a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek, interceding for me with an unchangeable priesthood. Strike through the powers that oppose Him, judge the nations in righteousness, and wound the heads that rise over many countries. Let Him drink from the brook in the way and lift up His head in triumph. Bring every enemy under His feet, and bring me safely to His side. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Reflection Questions
- 1How does Jesus’ citation of verse 1 shape my understanding of who He is?
- 2What comfort does Christ’s eternal priesthood after Melchizedek’s order bring me?
- 3Which “enemy” in my life do I need to trust Christ to subdue?
- 4How does the promise that His people “shall be willing in the day of thy power” encourage my prayer?
Related Psalms
Psalm 2
“Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?”
The nations rage against the Lord and His Anointed, but God establishes His King on Zion.
Read morePsalm 45
“My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer.”
A royal wedding song, often read as pointing to the Messiah and His bride.
Read morePsalm 72
“Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king’s son.”
A prayer for the king’s righteous reign and flourishing of all, ending doxology of Book II.
Read morePsalm 89
“I will sing of the mercies of the Lord for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.”
A meditation on God’s covenant with David and a lament over the king’s fall.
Read morePsalm 132
“Lord, remember David, and all his afflictions:”
Psalm 132 is the longest of the Songs of Ascents and recalls David’s passionate resolve to find a dwelling place for the ark of the Lord.
Read moreRelated Articles
How Jesus Quoted the Psalms
From the cross to the temple courts, Jesus lived, prayed, and taught from the Psalms. A survey of His use of them.
Read Old TestamentThe Messianic Psalms: Seeing Christ in the Psalter
Several psalms are quoted in the New Testament as prophecies of Christ. A guide to the main ones.
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