Psa 108-110 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Ps 108:1-13: Ps 108 This psalm combines two excerpts from David’s other psalms (cp. 57:5 , 7-11 ; 60:5-12 ).

Summary for Ps 109:1-31: Ps 109 ^e The psalmist begins this lament with a general charge against his accusers: They do evil in return for good (109:1-5 ^f). At the end of the psalm, he turns to the Lord in prayer, asking for his protection (109:21-25 ^g) and vengeance (109:26-31 ^h). 109:1 ⁱ The psalmist sees no evidence that God cares (see 28:1 ^j).
Summary for Ps 109:4-5: 109:4-5 ^k The psalmist’s acts of kindness and godliness (see 35:12-14 ^l) have only met with stubborn opposition and expressions of hatred.
Summary for Ps 109:6-19: 109:6-19 ^m The NLT translates these verses as the words of the psalmist’s accusers; Hebrew lacks They say, which makes it unclear who is speaking.
Summary for Ps 109:8-11: 109:8-11 ⁿ Family members of those guilty of capital crimes often died with the perpetrator (Num 16:1-33 ^o; Josh 7:1-25 ^p) or had their property confiscated (1 Kgs 21:13-16 ^q). 109:8 ^r The wicked person apparently held a position of leadership. Peter referred to this psalm in regard to Judas Iscariot (Acts 1:20-26 ^s).
109:13 ^t If one’s family name was blotted out, it meant there was no offspring to carry on the family name or remember its history (see Prov 10:7 ^u).
109:14 ^v Children inherit the sinful nature of their parents (51:5 ^w; Exod 20:5 ^x; Eph 2:3 ^y). The speaker wants the Lord to punish the perpetrator for the guilt of family members who went before him (cp. Matt 23:35-36 ^z).
109:16 ^aa The defendant committed capital crimes and did not exercise even basic decency.
109:18 ^ab Cursing is the accused person’s whole way of life.
109:20 ^ac The psalmist appeals to the principle of retribution (see 94:23 ^ad).
Summary for Ps 109:21-25: 109:21-25 ^ae Vulnerable and miserable, the psalmist appeals to his Lord for help. The accusations have killed his inner spirit and even his physical stamina. 109:21 ^af The Lord’s reputation is at stake. If the wicked triumph, others could think that the Lord is also wicked and be drawn to that wickedness (1:1 ^ag).
109:23 ^ah A shadow at dusk suggests a transitory, empty existence (102:11 ^ai; 144:4 ^aj); a single locust could easily be brushed off one’s clothing.
Summary for Ps 109:26-31: 109:26-31 ^ak These verses form a prayer for God’s presence and for vindication. The psalmist wants everyone to see that he is vindicated by the Lord, not by any human agent.
109:28 ^al The Lord’s servant demonstrates loyalty and obedience.
109:29 ^am The psalmist had been accused of being clothed with curses (109:18 ^an); now he asks that his accusers be clothed with disgrace and humiliation.

‏ Psalms 110

Summary for Ps 110:1-7: Ps 110 ^ao Jesus and the apostles cite this psalm to explain Jesus’ unique ministry and status as the Messiah (Matt 22:43-45 ^ap; Acts 2:32-36 ^aq). It reaffirms God’s covenant with David and gives hope for the future (see 2 Sam 7:8-16 ^ar). 110:1 ^as The king of Israel had the great privilege of being the Lord’s adopted son (Ps 2 ^at; 1 Chr 22:10 ^au), but he fell (Ps 89 ^av). This decree restores and heightens his position.

• The Lord: Hebrew Yahweh, the name of God (see Exod 3:6-14 ^aw; 6:2-8 ^ax; 20:2 ^ay).

• 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 ^az; Mark 12:36-37 ^ba; Luke 20:42-44 ^bb; Acts 2:34-35 ^bc; Heb 1:13 ^bd).

• 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 ^be). Jesus claimed this position for himself (Matt 26:64 ^bf; Mark 14:62 ^bg; 16:19 ^bh; Luke 22:69 ^bi), and the apostles announced that Jesus, having ascended to heaven, sits at the right hand of the Father (Acts 2:33 ^bj; 5:31 ^bk; 7:55-56 ^bl; Rom 8:34 ^bm; Eph 1:20 ^bn; Col 3:1 ^bo; Heb 1:3 ^bp; 8:1 ^bq; 10:12 ^br; 12:2 ^bs).

• 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 ^bt).
Summary for Ps 110:2-3: 110:2-3 ^bu The kingdom will expand and increase, beginning from Jerusalem, until all enemies are conquered.
110:4 ^bv The Lord had made an unbreakable oath and covenant, so his apparent rejection of David’s dynasty (89:38 ^bw) in the Exile had led to a crisis. The placement of Ps 110 ^bx in Book Five reaffirms the future of the dynasty: David’s descendant must conform to God’s standard of integrity (Ps 101 ^by). His ministry will be transformed as he serves under God’s kingship (Pss 93–100 ^bz).

• 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 ^ca) and arranged for the Temple service (1 Chr 6:31-48 ^cb; 15:11-26 ^cc; 16:4-42 ^cd; 23:4-32 ^ce; 25:1 ^cf). Solomon supervised the Temple construction (1 Kgs 5:1–7:51 ^cg). 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 ^ch), had done. The New Testament develops the ministry of Jesus Christ as a fulfillment of this new order (see Heb 5:6-10 ^ci; 6:20–7:25 ^cj).
Summary for Ps 110:5-7: 110:5-7 ^ck 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 ^cl; see Ps 2 ^cm).
Summary for Ps 110:5-6: 110:5-6 ^cn at your right hand: This position brings help and protection (see 16:7-8 ^co; 108:13 ^cp).

• The Lord will strike down rebellious kings. Rebellion against the Lord is a capital offense (Ps 2 ^cq; Rom 6:23 ^cr).
110:7 ^cs God’s messianic ruler obtains victory as a vigorous person, as if he had received nourishment from brooks along the way (110:3 ^ct).