1 The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
2 The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.
3 Thy 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.
4 The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.
5 The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath.
6 He shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill the places with the dead bodies; he shall wound the heads over many countries.
7 He shall drink of the brook in the way: therefore shall he lift up the head.
Psalm 110 is one of the 150 psalms in the Book of Psalms, which is often referred to as the Psalter. This particular psalm is a royal psalm, written by King David, according to the title. It is highly Messianic, pointing forward to the ultimate King-Priest, the Lord Jesus Christ. This psalm is one of the most frequently quoted or referred to psalms in the New Testament, which indicates its significant Messianic implications.
The psalm is divided into two main sections, each of which gives us a different perspective on the Messiah. The first section (verses 1-3) presents the Messiah as a divine King, while the second section (verses 4-7) portrays the Messiah as a perpetual Priest.
The opening verse of Psalm 110 is a proclamation of the Lord's absolute sovereignty and authority over all. "The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool" (Psalm 110:1, KJV). This verse is quoted or alluded to numerous times in the New Testament, underscoring its Messianic significance. It affirms the divine kingship of the Messiah, who is invited by God to sit at His right hand, the position of supreme honor and authority.
Furthermore, the divine King is depicted as a victorious warrior in verses 2-3. He will rule in the midst of His enemies, and His people will offer themselves willingly in the day of His power. This points to the King's irresistible might and the voluntary submission of His people, which is a picture of the spiritual victory of Christ and the willing allegiance of His followers.
The second section of Psalm 110 introduces another aspect of the Messiah's role – that of a priest. But this is not just any ordinary priesthood; it is a priesthood "after the order of Melchizedek" (Psalm 110:4). Melchizedek was a mysterious figure who appeared briefly in Genesis 14, described as the king of Salem and a priest of God Most High. He was unique because he was both a king and a priest, a combination of roles that was not found in the Levitical system of the Old Testament.
By describing the Messiah's priesthood as being in the order of Melchizedek, the psalmist is conveying the idea that the Messiah's priesthood is superior to the Levitical priesthood. It is a priesthood that is not based on genealogical qualifications but on the power of an indestructible life (Hebrews 7:16). It is a priesthood that is eternal, for the Lord has sworn and will not change His mind: "You are a priest forever" (Psalm 110:4). This points to the unique priesthood of Christ, who, through His death and resurrection, has become our eternal High Priest, making a once-and-for-all sacrifice for our sins and continually interceding for us.
The final verses of Psalm 110 depict the complete victory of the Messiah. He will shatter kings on the day of His wrath, judge among the nations, and fill them with corpses (verses 5-6). This speaks of the ultimate triumph of Christ over all His enemies, when He comes again in power and glory.
Despite the graphic imagery, the psalm ends on a note of refreshment and uplift: "He shall drink of the brook in the way: therefore shall he lift up the head" (verse 7). This can be seen as a picture of the Messiah's refreshment after His victory, and His exaltation as He lifts up His head in triumph. It speaks of the joy and satisfaction that comes after the completion of His redemptive work, much like the joy set before Him for which He endured the cross, despising the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:2).
In conclusion, Psalm 110 presents a profound picture of the Messiah as both a divine King and a perpetual Priest. It points forward to the person and work of Jesus Christ, who fulfills these roles perfectly. As the divine King, He is the sovereign Lord who rules with absolute authority and power, and as the perpetual Priest, He is our eternal intercessor who has made a perfect sacrifice for our sins.
This psalm not only strengthens our understanding of the Messiah's roles but also deepens our appreciation for the person and work of Christ. It assures us of His ultimate victory over all His enemies and His ongoing priestly ministry on our behalf. It calls us to submit willingly to His rule and to trust confidently in His priestly work for us. It points us to the hope of His return, when He will establish His kingdom in fullness and bring His redemptive work to its ultimate completion. In the light of this, Psalm 110 is not just a royal psalm but a profoundly Messianic and Christological psalm, rich with meaning and significance for all believers.
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