Psalms 110
Summary for Ps 110:1-7: Ps 110 a Jesus and the apostles cite this psalm to explain Jesus’ unique ministry and status as the Messiah (Matt 22:43-45 b; Acts 2:32-36 c). It reaffirms God’s covenant with David and gives hope for the future (see 2 Sam 7:8-16 d). 110:1 e The king of Israel had the great privilege of being the Lord’s adopted son (Ps 2 f; 1 Chr 22:10 g), but he fell (Ps 89 h). This decree restores and heightens his position.• The Lord: Hebrew Yahweh, the name of God (see Exod 3:6-14 i; 6:2-8 j; 20:2 k).
• my Lord (Hebrew ’adoni) means “my master” or “my superior.” The psalmist viewed God’s messianic ruler as his superior. The New Testament frequently cites this psalm to validate Jesus’ claim to be the Messiah (Matt 22:44-45 l; Mark 12:36-37 m; Luke 20:42-44 n; Acts 2:34-35 o; Heb 1:13 p).
• The Lord’s right hand represents his authority, strength, presence, and benefits. The Lord chose the descendant of David and raised him up to be close to him (Ps 80:17 q). Jesus claimed this position for himself (Matt 26:64 r; Mark 14:62 s; 16:19 t; Luke 22:69 u), and the apostles announced that Jesus, having ascended to heaven, sits at the right hand of the Father (Acts 2:33 v; 5:31 w; 7:55-56 x; Rom 8:34 y; Eph 1:20 z; Col 3:1 aa; Heb 1:3 ab; 8:1 ac; 10:12 ad; 12:2 ae).
• Ancient Near Eastern kings were sometimes portrayed as placing their feet on the backs of their conquered enemies as on a footstool (see Heb 10:12-13 af).
Summary for Ps 110:2-3: 110:2-3 ag The kingdom will expand and increase, beginning from Jerusalem, until all enemies are conquered.
110:4 ah The Lord had made an unbreakable oath and covenant, so his apparent rejection of David’s dynasty (89:38 ai) in the Exile had led to a crisis. The placement of Ps 110 aj in Book Five reaffirms the future of the dynasty: David’s descendant must conform to God’s standard of integrity (Ps 101 ak). His ministry will be transformed as he serves under God’s kingship (Pss 93–100 al).
• You are a priest forever: The role of God’s messianic ruler changes. The priestly kingship of David and his descendants extended to serving as patrons of the Temple. David had the Ark brought to Jerusalem (2 Sam 6:15 am) and arranged for the Temple service (1 Chr 6:31-48 an; 15:11-26 ao; 16:4-42 ap; 23:4-32 aq; 25:1 ar). Solomon supervised the Temple construction (1 Kgs 5:1–7:51 as). Even so, Israel’s kingship was separate from its priesthood. In the messianic kingdom, the king would also minister as priest, as Melchizedek, king of Salem (Gen 14:18 at), had done. The New Testament develops the ministry of Jesus Christ as a fulfillment of this new order (see Heb 5:6-10 au; 6:20–7:25 av).
Summary for Ps 110:5-7: 110:5-7 aw The new priestly role of David’s descendant does not rescind his old role as conquering ruler. He must still bring the nations under his rule (110:2-3 ax; see Ps 2 ay).
Summary for Ps 110:5-6: 110:5-6 az at your right hand: This position brings help and protection (see 16:7-8 ba; 108:13 bb).
• The Lord will strike down rebellious kings. Rebellion against the Lord is a capital offense (Ps 2 bc; Rom 6:23 bd).
110:7 be God’s messianic ruler obtains victory as a vigorous person, as if he had received nourishment from brooks along the way (110:3 bf).
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