Psalms 110

This Psalme is all Prophetical; all of Christ; foretelling his Person, Natures, and Offices, specialy his Kingdome, and Priesthood. And of his Victory over his enemies, and of his Triumph afterwards. And hereupon it is cited, and made use of, Matth. XXII. 44. Mark XII. 36. Luke XX. 42. Acts II. 34. Heb. I. 13. and V. 6. and VII. 17.

Psalms 110:1

The Lord] The Messias himself applies, ad appropriates this verse to himself, Matth. XXII: 44. Marke XII. 36. Luke. XX. 42. Saint Peter from this verse proves Christs Ascention into heaven, Acts II. 34. Saint Paul relates to it in the point of Christ reigne over all enemies, 1 Cor. XV. 25. Denying that the words of this verse were used, or could be used to any of the Angels, Heb. I. 13. And therefore they cannot be appliable to David himself, or to any meere man.

The Lord] Heb. Jehovah. See the Annotations of learned Master Gataker on Esay I. 2. and XXVI. 4. See also my Observations on Psalme LXXXIII. 18. and on LXXI. 5. and on LXVIII. 4. This Name of Essence never admits any affix in the Hebrew tongue. And it may lawfully be pronounced; though the ancient Jewes refrained from doing so, to gaine thereby the more reverence to it. And this Name is common to the three Persons; yet according to the sense and circumstances of divers texts and places, specialy when relation is had to another Person of the Trinity, it is taken Personaly. And so here for God the Father. As likewise, Psal. II. 7.

said] In his eternal Decree, predestinating his Sonne to be the Messias, to execute in time the Office of Mediatorship.

unto my Lord] Davids Lord, as well as his Sonne.

sit thou] This, and other phrases here, are not proper, but figurative: to be understood, not corporealy, but spiritualy. Christ is said in Scripture promiscuously, both to stand, and to sit at the right hand of God, Heb. I. 3. Acts VII. 55, 56. 1 Pet. III. 22.

at my right hand] The right hand signifies power and strength, Psal. CXVIII. 16. Exod. XV. 6. Psal. CXLIV. 8. Power to help, 5. Psal.

XVI. 8. and CXLII. 4. Eccles. X. 2. To be or sit there, imports dignity and honour, 1 Kings II. 19. Matth. XX. 21. And such is the meaning here. And this dignity here expressed by this phrase is ascribed to Christ; not in relation to his Deity, for so he and the Father are one.

Herein he is, and alwayes was of equal dignity with the Father: But in regard of his Humanity whereby the Father was greater then he: And wherein formerly he had emptied and humbled himself, and suffered, even to death; and so was made a little lower then the Angels. But now hereby he is crowned with glory and honour. Yet this dignity here is not ascribed to his Humanity singly in it self considered, but in supposito, as it hypostaticaly subsists in the Person of the Sonne of God. And this Dignity is not an elevation and exaltation of the Humanity of our Saviour into the Majesty and essential properties and prerogatives of the Divine-nature; and so to have a parity of Dignity with it, an equality in all points; realy communicated to the Humanity in it self, as the Ubiquitaries contend and plead for, and which they referre, not to the Person only; but to the very Humane nature also in the Person of the Sonne of God. But this Dignity of Christs Humanity is that which is next in degree under God and the Father, above that of the Angels, and all creatures, Heb. I. 3, 4.

Ephes. I. 20, 21, 22, 23. given to him in time, after his Ascention, as a consequent and reward of his exinanition and passion, Phil.

II. ult. Heb. II. 9. Luke XXIV. 26. This Dignity Saint Paul declares, 1 Cor. XV. 25. and Saint Peter, Acts V. 31. and X. 42. Iohn V. 27. In summe then, as Christ emptied himself, and subjected himself to the Father, not in regard of his Divine nature, but in regard of his Person God-man, and that only out of his Voluntary dispensation; So out of the same his voluntary dispensation it is, that he exercises this office of Mediation in both natures, And here after his Ascention; not before; in the Personal Union of both Natures; he receives this Dignity of sitting on the Fathers right hand; his Person reigning so in both natures.

It is not then the Humanity in it self singly taken that sits on the right hand of God; but the Humanity of that Person that sits at the right hand of God: as in the Incarnation it came to passe, not that the Humanity became God, but that the Humanity became then the Humanity of God. And Christ now sitting at the right hand of God doth reigne every where even as Man also; though his Humanity be not every where: as a King doth in his Kingdom, though his body be not every where as the Head in the Body, though the Head be not every where as the Sun in the firmament enlightens, heats, cherisheth, quickeneth things below, though the Sun remaine in its own place above.

until] 1 Cor. XV. 14, 25, 28. Not yet that the Son shal then leave off all Rule and Reigne, and be subject to the Father simply: But that then he shall leave off his Office of Mediation, having then overcome his enemies, and fully gathered his Church; he shall not thenceforth use those meanes, and actings which formerly he did; the whole work being then finished; then shall he leave off the administration of that delegation which he had formerly freely undertaken, there being then no more need of it. But thenceforth shall he reigne together with the Father to all eternity; Dan. VII. 14. Luke I. 23. In a sense not unlike is this particle untill used, Psal. CXXIII. 2. Matth. ult. ult. Gen. XXVIII. 15. what is affirmed of the time past, is not denied for the time to come.

I make] I God the Father. Not excluding God the Sonne. For the same action is attributed to him, 1 Cor. XV. 25. Iohn XVI. 33, Opera Trinitatis ad extra sunt indivisa.

thine enemies] The Devill, John XIV. 30. 1 Cor. XV. 24. The World; John XVI. 33. and XV. 18. Antichrist; and all wicked men; Luke XIX. 27. Not, but that these are the enemies of God, and the Father also; John V. 23. And so both are joyned together, Psal. II. 2. yet more immediately and directly enemies to Christ the Sonne, who came into the world to destroy the works of the Devil, 1 John II. 8. enemies to his Kingdome, and his inheritance, Matth. XXI. 38.

thy foot-stoole.] All utterly subdued, and put under thy feete, 1 Cor. XV. 14. As Iudg. I. 7. Psal. XLVII. 3. and Psal.

XVIII. 39, 40. 1 Kings V. 3. Iosh. X. 24. 25. Thus did Sapor the Persian King; Tamerlane the Scythian; and Pope Alexander the fourth to the Emperour Frederick the first. This Conquest was made by Christs Resurrection and Ascention, Col. II. 15.

Ephes. IV. 8. Iohn XII. 3. and chap. XVI. 11. 33. They touch not Christs person now, as they did when he was upon earth. They have not power over his mystical body; and true members, to domineer over them, subdue them, or deadly destroy them: yet they have power to bite and bruise their heel; and so to persecute Christ in his members, Acts IX. 4. and ch.

XXII. 7. Zech. II. 8. And so the victory is not yet fully compleat, Rom. XVI. 20. And this makes for Christs greater glory, and his childrens good.

But at the last day, in the end of the world, all the enemies shall be altogether utterly subdued, and destroyed, and punished everlastingly, 1 Cor. XV. 25,—28. Matth. XXV. 41, &c.

The Lord shall send] The Prophet David here turnes his speech to his Lord and Sonne; and speaks here of Iehovah, what he shall do to, and for him.

the rod of thy strength] Thy royal Scepter, or Shepherds staffe; thy Kingdome, and the Dominion thereof, Ier. XLVIII. 17. Ezek. XIX. 4, 11. thy royal power; which shall be strong, to overpower all the strength of the world opposing it, Rom. I. 16. And this is his Word and Gospel; not any temporal armes or power.

out of Zion] There began the promulgation, and thence sprang the Propagation of the Gospel, and of Christs Kingdome; which wondrously subdued all the world, Ps. II. 6, 8. Esay II. 2, 3. Mich. IV. 2.

rule thou in the midst of thine enemies] Here is the successe of Christs Kingdome, even among his enemies. He, and his Church Militant in this world shall still have enemies, Matth. X. 6. Yet he shall rule and reigne in the midst of them, in despight of them; and that with all confidence and boldnesse

Psalms 110:3

Thy people] As by right of Creation; so chiefly here, by right of Redemption. Here is the successe of Christs Kingdome, among his subjects.

shall be willing] Their first property; to be prompt, ready, devout, chearfully obedient, 1 Pet. II. 9. freely led thereto by Gods free Spirit, Psal. LI. 12. Rom. VIII. 14. Psal. LIV. 6. 2 Cor. IX. 7. As Iudg. V. 9. Nehem. XI. 2. Acts II. 41. Made such by Christ, of unwilling, to be so willing; Iohn VI. 44. Psal. CXIX. 10, 11. 108. and in many other places of that Psalme, Esay ELIX. 18. and LV. 5. and LX. 4.

in the day of thy power] When by the powerful preaching of thy Gospel, thou shalt rule in the midst of thine enemies; and powerfully convert thy people to so willing an obedience unto thee. The word here translated Power, signifies also an armie; and may relate to Christs mustering of his people, as armies, in the dayes of their solemn assemblies for his worship and service.

in the beauties of holinesse] Or in the comely honours of the Sanctuarie; meaning either the comely or honourable places of holinesse, the Sanctuary, or Church; or rather, in the beautiful ornaments of holinesse, that is, holy graces and vertues, which with admirable varietie adorne the faithful, and their inner man.

from the womb] The second propertie or condition of the subjects of Christs Kingdome, to be very numerous: as willing; so numerous: as the dew from the womb of the morning, 2 Sam. XVII. 12. by a sudden, unusual and wonderful increase and multiplication, Esay LIV. 1. Micah V. 7. Esay LXVI. 9. so numerous shall his youth be; his new-borne people; Iohn I. 13. and III. 3. Gal, IV. 19. Heb. II. 14. 1 Pet. II. 2. See Esay LIII. 10. So that these words are not to be understood of the temporal Nativity of Christ from the Virgin, or his eternal generation from the Father as some do; but of his active spiritual generation of his children, the subjects of his Kingdome.

Psalms 110:4

The Lord hath sworne] The Vocation of Christ to his Office of Priesthood. Jehovah is the Author of it.

hath sworne] Jehovah swears, to confirme matters of greatest moment: when, and where his wisdome pleaseth. And upon this point here of Christs eternal Priesthood mans salvation dependeth. He swears by himself; though that is not here expressed; because he hath no greater to swear by; Heb. VI. 13, 16. Gen. XXII 16. And so by his life, Esay XLIX. 18. by his soul, Jer. LI. 24. by his righthand, and the arme of his strength, Esay LXII. 8. The result of all which is the same with himself. And implying thereby thus much, Let me not be accounted what I am, namely God, the living God, the omnipotent God, if that which I speak be not true, or my promises or threatnings do faile of performance. Of Oaths, See the Observations on Jer. LI. 14. and my Annotations on Hos. IV. 15.

and will not repent] Will not change or retract what he hath sworne, Num. XXIII. 19. James I. 17. Repenting is sometimes ascribed to God; as Gen. VI. 6, 7. Psal. CVI. 45. 1 Sam. XV. 11. 35. Not that there is any change of minde of will in God; as there is in mans repenting: But the change is in the work; God eternally and unchangably decreeing both, as to do the thing, so again to change it upon mans repentance, or disobedience; Jer. XXVI. 3, 13, 19. Of this see more in the Observations on Jer. XV. 6. In all this God condescends to mans weaknesse, Heb. VI. 17, 18. Shewes the greatnesse, and excellency of the thing here avowed; that the Lord Christ was lawfully Called and Ordained to be an eternal Priest for us, and our salvation; for our greater confirmation, and consolation herein.

Thou art] The Lord Christ well knew this, and could not doubt of the will of the Father herein. What then needed this Oath to be made unto him? Answ. It was made to him, for the use of his Church; that his Church might know and be assured of it. As that John XI. 42.

art] God saying, is as much as doing.

a Preist] So Gen. XIV. 18. Heb. VII. 1. Melchizedec in type; Christ in truth, the Antitype. The Priests office was to Teach, Pray, and Sacrifice. The High Priest among the Jewes once a year entred into the most Holy place. Yet he in all things was not an absolute and sufficient Type of our High Priest Christ the Lord. For he is an eternal High Priest; and both King and Priest; and his Sacrifice of another nature; and himself of another Tribe.

for ever] Not so the Priests after the order of Aaron, Heb. VII. 23. 34 and chap. IX. 12.

after the order] Or similitude, Heb. V. 6. and chap. VII. 15.

of Melchizedec] Much question who this Melchizedec was. He was not the Sonne of God himself, our Lord and Christ. Very many take him to be Sem the Sonne of Noah, who saw both worlds, before, and after the Flood; and lived to the one hundred and fiftieth year of the age of Abraham. Yet because Sems genealogie is exactly set down in Scripture; and that the Levitical Priests themselves came from him after sundry descents: and the Land of Canaan seems not to be Sems habitation, which took its name from his younger brother Cham, or from Chams sonne Canaan: Neither would Abraham so long have forborne his due respects and visitation of Sem in Canaan, if Sem had lived there: Therefore divers learned men take this Melchizedec to be rather some eminent man in Canaan, raised up by God in those corrupt times, both good and godly, both King and Priest, living in Salem, after called Jerusalem; whose King in Joshuahs time was called Adoni-Zedeck, that is, Lord of righteousnesse, Josh. X. 1. As this man here is called Melchizedec, that is, King of righteousnesse. By which place, or near to it, Abraham in his returne from this warre and victory, was to passe.

Of this Melchizedec, and his Priesthood, and the difference of it from Aarons Priesthood, the Apostle to the Hebrews, chap, VII entreateth at large, and observeth divers things; his Name and Title; his greatnesse in that he blessed Abraham, and received Tythes of Abraham; his being mentioned in Scripture without any Pedegree, without father without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of dayes, nor end of life. All these he had; as our Saviour himself had them; but none of them recorded or registred in the Scripture; that he might so become a Type of the eternity of Christs Person, and Priesthood; verse 3. The Apostle further observeth his Offices, that he was both King and Priest; and that our Saviour was made such, with an oath of God the Father; and a Priest of a better Priesthood, Covenant, and Commandment; and that he was made, not after the Law of a carnal commandement, having carnal successors in his Priesthood; but after the power of an endlesse life, consecrated for evermore, having an eternal Priesthood, and unchangeable, continuing ever, and living ever to make intercession, and by his one, offering up himself once for all, saving them to the uttermost that come to God by him. In all which there are manifold resemblances between Christ and Melchizedec; and manifold differences between theirs and the Aaronical Priesthood. As for those fond and forced dreams of the Papist, That Melchizedec offered up to God the sacrifice of bread and wine; And therein was a Type and Figure of their sacrifice of the Masse; And that thereupon Christ our Lord is said to be a Priest after the order of Melchizedec; These may well befal to them, who for want of the love of the truth, are given up to beleeve lies; but are too weak, poor, and silly, for us to trouble our selves withal.

Psalms 110:5

The Lord at thy right hand] The prophesie of Christ the Lord his administration of his Kingly Office, in this, and the next verse.

The Lord, God, the Father, who will make thine enemies thy footstoole, He at thy right hand, ready to assist thee. O Christ; as Psal. XVI. 8. and CIX. 31. Shall strike through Kings, Psal. II. 2, 4, 5. even the highest Powers and Potentates that oppose Christ and his Kingdome, 2 Cor. X. 5.

In the day of his wrath, the time appointed in Gods wisdome, the time of his just will so to punish them with plagues temporal, eternal, in this life, in that to come, 1 Thes. I. 9, 10. Not that Christ the Lord shall be exempted from this powerful conquest, and overthrow of his enemies; the Sonne being in all things coequal, consubstantial with the Father; And so the Act coming from the Father, by the Sonne; But in this speech relation is had to Christ, as 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, God and Man, as the King Mediatour, and receiving his Office from the Father.

Psalms 110:6

He shall judge] The Lord at thy right hand shall execute judgements and punishments.

among the heathen] Psal. II. 1. Acts IV. 27. all his enemies whatsoever.

he shall fill the places with the dead bodies] All places with the carkases of the slaine. See Jer. XVI. 4. A figurative and poetical expression of an huge slaughter; such as was that of the Jewes at the final destruction of Jerusalem, after the death of our Saviour.

he shall wound the head in many countries] Wound, or strike through. Head for heads collectively, Psal. LXVIII. 21. in many or great countries. See that Apoc. XX. 9, 10.

Psalms 110:7

He] Christ the Lord. Thus the Prophet passeth from the Father, to the Sonne. The Father acteth by the Sonne; the Sonne from the Father.

shall drink of the brook in the way] In pursuing the victory over his enemies; he shall do, as Gideons souldiers did, Judg. VII. 7. admit of no delaies; which occasioned that interdict, adjuration, and curse of Saul, 1 Sam. XIV. 24. Or rather, these words seeme to have relation to Christs state of Humiliation; and the rather because of that opposition thereunto in the words following. And so here we have Christs exinanition, and exaltation; his passion, and resurrection; whereby he was brought to sit at the right hand of the Father, verse 1.

drink] In passing through this valley of tears, in this world, he shall drink deeply of the cup of sorrowes: the waters, floods, and torrents of afflictions and miseries should overtake and encompasse him, if not overwhelme and drowne him, Psal. . 7. 17. See Jer. XXV. 15, 16. and chap. XLIX. 12. Matth. XX. 22. John XVIII. 11. Matth. XXVI. 39.

in the way] Of this life; the way of doing his fathers will for the work of mans redemption, Phil. II. 7, 8. He hid for the time the luster and beams of his Divine Majesty; that it might not hinder the sufferings and death of his Humanity, 1 Cor. II. 8. Matth. XVII. 9.

therefore] Thus Christ came from his humiliation to his exaltation, from his Priesthood, to his Kingdome. Therefore here notes not a Merit preceding in Christ, meriting for himself this exaltation; or his glorie either in body, or soul, his life eternal; All necessarily followed upon that hypostatical Union, which he could not merit to himself. All Christ did, was to merit for us. The particle here notes the consequence or sequel, and order, the means and manner how he came to this exaltation.

shal he lift up the head] Be exalted; sit at Gods right hand. See for the phrase, Psal. III. 3. and XXVII. 6. Jer. LII. 31. Lam. II. 10. sublimi feriet sydera vertice.