Psalms 110

Psalms 110:1-2

1. The oracle concerning Messiah 110:1-2 The psalmist wrote that he heard a conversation between Yahweh and David’s Master. Clearly this distinguishes two members of the Godhead. LORD (Yahweh) refers to God the Father and Lord (adonay) refers to God the Son, the Messiah or Anointed of God. Yahweh commanded Messiah to sit at His right hand, the traditional place of power and authority. He was to do so until Yahweh has subjugated Messiah’s enemies (cf. Joshua 5:14). Then Yahweh would permit Messiah to rule over them (cf. Psalms 2:8-9; 1 Corinthians 15:25).

“Originally the victorious king placed his feet on the necks of his vanquished foe (cf. Joshua 10:24; 1 Kings 5:3; Isaiah 51:23). From this practice arose the idiom to make one’s enemy one’s footstool.” [Note: VanGemeren, p. 697. Jesus Christ quoted Psalms 110:1 to prove that He was not only David’s descendant but the Messiah of whom David wrote (Mark 12:35-37; cf. Matthew 22:44-45; Luke 20:42-44). Peter and the writer of the epistle to the Hebrews also quoted it to prove the deity of Jesus (Acts 2:34-36; Acts 5:30-31; Hebrews 1:13; Hebrews 10:11-13).

“So this single verse displays the divine Person of Christ, His power and the prospect before Him. Together with Psalms 110:4 it underlies most of the New Testament teaching on His glory as Priest-King.” [Note: Kidner, Psalms 73-150, p. 393. Cf. Romans 8:34; 1 Corinthians 15:25-26.

Psalms 110:3

When Messiah comes to rule over His enemies, His people will willingly join in His reign (cf. Judges 5:2). They will be holy, in contrast to the unholy whom Messiah will subdue. They will be as youthful warriors, namely, strong and energetic. They will be as the dew in the sense of being fresh, numerous, and a blessing from God. The expression “from the womb of the dawn” probably signifies their early appearance during Messiah’s reign. Later revelation identifies these people as faithful believers (Revelation 5:10; Revelation 20:4; Revelation 20:6; Revelation 22:5).

Psalms 110:4

Yahweh has made an affirmation in the most definite way possible and will not change His mind (cf. 2 Samuel 7:13; Psalms 89:3; Psalms 89:28-29; Psalms 89:34-35; Psalms 132:11). [Note: On the subject of God changing His mind, see Thomas L. Constable, “What Prayer Will and Will Not Change,” in Essays in Honor of J. Dwight Pentecost, pp. 99-113; and Robert B. Chisholm Jr., “Does God ‘Change His Mind’?” Bibliotheca Sacra 152:608 (October-December 1995):387-99. Messiah will be a priest forever in the order of (i.e., after the manner of) Melchizedek (lit. king of righteousness). [Note: See M. J.

Paul, “The Order of Melchizedek [Psalms 110:4 and Hebrews 7:3],” Westminster Theological Journal 49 (1987):195-211. This is the first reference in Scripture to this “order” of priests. Melchizedek ruled over Salem (lit. peace), the ancient name for Jerusalem, where David also ruled. Melchizedek was also a priest of the Most High God (Genesis 14:18; cf. Hebrews 7:1). Thus he was both a king and a priest.

Messiah would also be a king and a priest. In this sense, Messiah was a priest in the “order” of Melchizedek. He continued the type of priesthood Melchizedek had, namely, a kingly or royal priesthood. If Yahweh sets up Messiah as a priest “forever,” the Aaronic order of priests must end as God’s appointed order (cf. Hebrews 5:6; Hebrews 6:20; Hebrews 7:17; Hebrews 7:21). As both the Priest and the sacrificial Lamb, Messiah offered Himself as a substitute sacrifice on the cross (cf. Hebrews 7:27-28; Hebrews 10:10). Jesus was not of Aaron’s line since He descended from the tribe of Judah (cf. Hebrews 7:11-18). He is the new eternal High Priest (cf. Hebrews 7:21-26; Hebrews 7:28), and He mediates the New Covenant that replaces the Old Mosaic Covenant (cf. Hebrews 8:13; Hebrews 9:15).

Psalms 110:5-7

3. The victory of Messiah 110:5-7 Messiah’s victory over His enemies will be great. David saw Messiah presently seated at God the Father’s right hand (cf. Hebrews 8:1; Hebrews 10:12). In the future He will wage war (cf. Joe 3:2; Joe 3:11-14; Revelation 16:16; Revelation 19:13-15). Messiah drinking by a brook pictures Him renewing His strength. Yahweh will exalt Messiah because of His victorious conquest. [Note: See Allen, Rediscovering Prophecy, pp. 173-94. Later revelation helps us understand that Messiah will come back to the earth with His saints; He will not wage this particular war from heaven (Zechariah 14:4; Revelation 19). He will fight against the nations that oppose Him at the end of the Tribulation. This is the battle of Armageddon (Daniel 11:36-45; Revelation 19:17-19). Following victory in that battle He will rule on the earth for 1,000 years (Revelation 20:1-10).

The Epistle to the Hebrews expounds this psalm. It clarifies especially how Jesus Christ fulfilled what David prophesied here about Messiah being a king-priest (Hebrews 7:1 to Hebrews 10:18; cf. Zechariah 6:12-13). [Note: On the subject of David and Solomon functioning as both a king and a priest, see 2 Samuel 6:14, 17-18; 1 Kings 8:14, 55, 62-64; and Merrill, “Psalms,” p. 186.