Psalm 110:1-7
The LORD Says to My Lord
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1A Psalm of David. The LORD said to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”
2The LORD extends Your mighty scepter from Zion: “Rule in the midst of Your enemies.”
3Your people shall be willing on Your day of battle. Arrayed in holy splendor, from the womb of the dawn, to You belongs the dew of Your youth.
4The LORD has sworn and will not change His mind: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”
5The Lord is at Your right hand; He will crush kings in the day of His wrath.
6He will judge the nations, heaping up the dead; He will crush the leaders far and wide.
7He will drink from the brook by the road; therefore He will lift up His head.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
The LORD speaks to David's Lord, placing him at His right hand until enemies are made a footstool. The king rules from Zion with a scepter of strength, and willing people join him in holy splendor. The psalm presents authority as received from God, not seized as personal property.
God also swears an oath that He will not change: this ruler is a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. His priesthood will not end with death. The Lord shatters kings and judges the nations; no rival power can finally resist Him.
The final image is of a warrior drinking from a brook on the way and lifting his head. He is refreshed on the way and raises his head in victory.
Jesus uses the opening verse to show that the promised Messiah is more than David's descendant: David calls Him Lord. Hebrews also applies the priesthood according to Melchizedek to Christ. The psalm's king and priest are therefore not two unrelated honors; in Jesus they meet in one ruler who reigns and brings His people to God.
How We Know
In Matthew, Jesus asks how David can call the Messiah “Lord” if the Messiah is merely David's son. Hebrews quotes the promise of a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek and applies it to Jesus. These New Testament readings identify the psalm's royal-priestly figure with Christ.
Questions
1 Where is the Lord invited to sit?
AnswerHe is invited to sit at God's right hand until his enemies are made a footstool.
2 From where does he rule?
AnswerHe rules from Zion with a scepter of strength.
3 What priestly role is given him?
AnswerHe is called a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.
4 What happens to the nations?
AnswerThe Lord judges nations, shatters kings, and executes justice.
What This Means for Us
Jesus brings His people to God as their King and Priest. Hebrews explains that He offered Himself once for sins and lives forever to intercede for those who come to God through Him. We can ask for forgiveness because of what He has done, even when we have no excuse for our failure.
His rule also calls for our willing obedience. Bring the part of life where you resist Him into prayer, and ask for a heart that gladly follows its King. The One who rules over His enemies is also the Priest who pleads for His people.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, our King and Priest, thank You for giving Yourself for our sins and continuing to intercede for us. Help us come to God through You with confidence. Make us willing to obey Your rule, and teach us to trust You with the justice we cannot bring about. Amen.