Psalms 110

Chapter Overview

What happens in Psalms 110

A psalm of David — the most quoted psalm in the New Testament. It describes a priest-king whom the Lord invites to sit at his right hand. Jesus identified himself as the fulfillment of this psalm.

Scripture

Sit at My Right Hand

Study note

The Lord says to David's Lord: 'Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool.' The king will rule in the midst of his enemies. His people will volunteer freely on the day of his power.

1 The Lord spoke to my Lord: "Sit here at my right hand. Stay until I turn every one of your enemies into a footrest under your feet." The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.

2 The Lord will stretch your powerful scepter out from Zion. Take charge right in the middle of your enemies! The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.

3 When the day of your power arrives, your people will gladly step forward. Dressed in holy beauty, from the first light of dawn, the freshness of your youth belongs to you like morning dew. 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.

A Priest Forever

Study note

The Lord has sworn an oath that will not be changed: 'You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.' This is different from the Levitical priesthood. The Lord at the king's right hand will crush kings and judge among the nations.

4 The Lord has given his word and will never go back on it: "You are a priest forever, following the pattern of Melchizedek." The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.

5 The Lord stands at your right side. On the day his anger burns, he will crush kings. The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath.

6 He will judge every nation, stacking up the fallen. He will crush rulers across the entire earth. He shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill the places with the dead bodies; he shall wound the heads over many countries.

7 Along the way, he will drink from a stream, and because of that, he will lift his head high in victory. He shall drink of the brook in the way: therefore shall he lift up the head.

Key Themes

Themes in Psalms 110

The Lord invites the king to sit at his right handA priest forever in the order of melchizedekVictory over all enemiesThe union of kingship and priesthood

Prophetic Connections

How this chapter points to Christ

Psalms Psalm 110:1 Matthew 22:44; Mark 12:36; Luke 20:42-43; Acts 2:34-35; Hebrews 1:13

Jesus quoted this verse to challenge the Pharisees about the Messiah's identity, and Peter and the author of Hebrews apply it to Christ's exaltation to God's right hand.

Psalms Psalm 110:4 Hebrews 5:6; Hebrews 6:20; Hebrews 7:17,21

The author of Hebrews extensively develops Jesus as a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek, a priesthood superior to Aaron's and without end.

Apply This Today

Living Psalms 110

This is the most quoted psalm in the New Testament, and it reveals something breathtaking: a king who is also a priest, invited by God to share His throne. Jesus is that king-priest. He rules with authority and intercedes with compassion. You have a Savior who fights for you and prays for you at the same time.

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