Psalm 110
Psalm 110, Messiah, Priest, Conquering King
Psalm 110 is titled, “A Psalm of David.” This title is important because the Lord Jesus Himself affirmed David’s authorship and treated this psalm as Spirit inspired prophecy. In Mark 12, Jesus said that David spoke “by the Holy Ghost,” and He used Psalm 110:1 to demonstrate that the Messiah is more than merely David’s human descendant. He is David’s Lord.
Psalm 110 is one of the most quoted Old Testament passages in the New Testament. It is central to the doctrine of Christ’s deity, ascension, heavenly session, kingly authority, priesthood, final conquest, and coming judgment. It presents the Messiah as enthroned at the right hand of God, ruling from Zion, gathering a willing people, serving as priest forever after the order of Melchizedek, judging kings and nations, and lifting His head in victorious triumph.
This psalm must be read messianically. David speaks prophetically of the Lord Jesus Christ. The psalm reveals that Messiah is both King and Priest. This is significant because under the Mosaic order, kings came from Judah and priests came from Levi. Yet Psalm 110 reveals a greater priesthood, not after Aaron, but after Melchizedek. The Messiah is therefore not merely a Davidic ruler, He is the eternal Priest King.
A. The Character of the Messiah
Psalm 110:1 to Psalm 110:2, Appointed and Honored by Yahweh
Psalm 110:1, “The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.”
Psalm 110:2, “The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.”
Psalm 110 opens with one of the most important messianic declarations in the Old Testament, “The LORD said unto my Lord.” The first “LORD” is Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. The second “Lord” is Adonai, the one whom David calls his superior. This creates a profound theological question. How can David, the king of Israel, call one of his own descendants “Lord”? The answer is that the Messiah is both David’s Son according to the flesh and David’s Lord according to His divine person.
Jesus used this verse to expose the limited understanding of the religious leaders concerning the Messiah.
Matthew 22:41, “While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them,”
Matthew 22:42, “Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The Son of David.”
Matthew 22:43, “He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying,”
Matthew 22:44, “The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool?”
Matthew 22:45, “If David then call him Lord, how is he his son?”
Matthew 22:46, “And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions.”
The Messiah is truly the Son of David, but He is more than the Son of David. He is David’s Lord. This points directly to the incarnation. Jesus Christ is fully man, descended from David according to the flesh, and fully God, the eternal Son.
Romans 1:3, “Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;”
Romans 1:4, “And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:”
The command, “Sit thou at my right hand,” speaks of enthronement, honor, authority, and completed work. The right hand is the place of power and favor. After His death, resurrection, and ascension, Jesus sat down at the right hand of the Father. He is not waiting anxiously. He is enthroned.
Peter proclaimed this at Pentecost.
Acts 2:32, “This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.”
Acts 2:33, “Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.”
Acts 2:34, “For David is not ascended into the heavens, but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,”
Acts 2:35, “Until I make thy foes thy footstool.”
Acts 2:36, “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.”
Psalm 110:1 also teaches the present heavenly session of Christ. Jesus is seated at the Father’s right hand, waiting until His enemies are made His footstool. The enemies are not imaginary. They include every rebellious power, kingdom, ruler, demonic force, and finally death itself.
1 Corinthians 15:25, “For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.”
1 Corinthians 15:26, “The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.”
The image of enemies as a footstool is one of total conquest. In the ancient world, victorious kings sometimes placed their feet upon the necks of defeated enemies as a sign of complete subjugation.
Joshua 10:24, “And it came to pass, when they brought out those kings unto Joshua, that Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said unto the captains of the men of war which went with him, Come near, put your feet upon the necks of these kings. And they came near, and put their feet upon the necks of them.”
Joshua 10:25, “And Joshua said unto them, Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage, for thus shall the LORD do to all your enemies against whom ye fight.”
Psalm 110:2 says, “The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion.” The rod is the scepter of kingly authority and power. The Messiah’s rule is rooted in Zion, but it extends beyond Zion. His reign reaches over all enemies and ultimately all nations.
“Rule thou in the midst of thine enemies” shows that the Messiah reigns even before every enemy is finally destroyed. This is crucial. Christ is not waiting to become King. He reigns now at the right hand of the Father, and He will visibly and completely subdue His enemies in the appointed time.
This also fits the premillennial expectation of Christ’s future kingdom reign from Zion. The Messiah will rule over the nations, and His enemies will be put under His feet. His reign has present heavenly authority and future earthly manifestation.
Zechariah 14:9, “And the LORD shall be king over all the earth, in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one.”
Revelation 11:15, “And the seventh angel sounded, and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ, and he shall reign for ever and ever.”
Psalm 110:1 to 2 teaches that the Messiah is David’s Lord, enthroned at the right hand of God, ruling with divine authority, and destined to subdue every enemy. This is not merely poetic language. It is the foundation for New Testament Christology.
Psalm 110:3, Recognized and Honored by His People
Psalm 110:3, “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.”
The Messiah does not rule only over defeated enemies. He also has a willing people. “Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power.” His people are not dragged into service like slaves. They offer themselves willingly. The language carries the idea of freewill devotion, voluntary consecration, and joyful service.
This is the mark of true allegiance to Christ. The redeemed serve Him because they have been conquered by grace. Their wills are not destroyed, they are transformed. The King has a people who gladly give themselves to Him.
The phrase “in the day of thy power” may refer to the day when Messiah’s power is openly displayed. It also has application to every time His power works effectually in the hearts of His people. When the Lord displays His power, His people respond willingly.
There is a military flavor to the verse. The Messiah’s people are like a willing army, gathered under His banner. There are no mercenaries in Christ’s true army. The hypocrite may serve for advantage, recognition, money, or reputation, but the true servant of Christ serves willingly because the King is worthy.
Romans 12:1, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”
The phrase “in the beauties of holiness” shows the character of Messiah’s people. They are not merely willing, they are holy. Holiness is beautiful because it reflects the character of God. The world often treats holiness as narrow, dull, or oppressive, but Scripture calls it beautiful. The King’s people are clothed not merely in strength, but in consecration.
1 Peter 1:15, “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;”
1 Peter 1:16, “Because it is written, Be ye holy, for I am holy.”
“From the womb of the morning” is poetic language picturing freshness, brightness, and newness. The people of the Messiah are compared to the dew of the morning, numerous, fresh, and radiant. “Thou hast the dew of thy youth” speaks of vigor, strength, and abundance. Messiah’s kingdom does not grow old, weak, or exhausted. His people are continually renewed by His power.
This verse also gives a picture of the church and ultimately redeemed Israel in willing submission to Messiah. The King rules enemies with power, but He rules His people through willing devotion. The proper response to Christ is not reluctant duty, but glad surrender.
Psalm 110:3 teaches that Messiah’s people will be willing, holy, fresh, and strengthened in the day of His power. His kingdom includes not only conquered enemies but consecrated servants.
Psalm 110:4, Established as an Eternal Priest
Psalm 110:4, “The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.”
Psalm 110:4 is one of the most important verses in the Bible concerning the priesthood of Christ. The verse begins, “The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent.” This is solemn oath language. God does not merely state this casually. He swears it. He binds the declaration to His own unchanging character. “Will not repent” means He will not change His mind, reverse the decree, or annul the appointment.
The declaration is, “Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.” The Messiah is not only King, He is Priest. This is extraordinary because Davidic kings came from the tribe of Judah, while the Aaronic priests came from the tribe of Levi. Under the Mosaic Law, kings did not intrude into the priesthood. Yet Psalm 110 reveals that the Messiah has a priesthood outside and above Aaron’s order.
Melchizedek appears in Genesis 14.
Genesis 14:18, “And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine, and he was the priest of the most high God.”
Genesis 14:19, “And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:”
Genesis 14:20, “And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.”
Melchizedek was both king and priest. His name means king of righteousness, and he was king of Salem, meaning peace. He blessed Abraham, and Abraham gave him tithes. This shows Melchizedek’s greatness. The book of Hebrews develops this in detail.
Hebrews 7:1, “For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;”
Hebrews 7:2, “To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all, first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;”
Hebrews 7:3, “Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life, but made like unto the Son of God, abideth a priest continually.”
This does not necessarily mean Melchizedek was literally without parents or literally eternal. It means Genesis presents him without recorded genealogy, birth, or death, making him a fitting type of Christ’s eternal priesthood. The Son of God truly has an eternal priesthood.
Hebrews repeatedly applies Psalm 110:4 to Jesus.
Hebrews 5:5, “So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest, but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.”
Hebrews 5:6, “As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.”
Hebrews 5:10, “Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.”
Hebrews 6:20, “Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.”
Hebrews 7:17, “For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.”
Hebrews 7:21, “For those priests were made without an oath, but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:”
Christ’s priesthood is superior to Aaron’s because it is eternal, based on divine oath, and grounded in an indestructible life. Aaronic priests died and had to be replaced. Jesus lives forever and never gives up His office.
Hebrews 7:23, “And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death:”
Hebrews 7:24, “But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.”
Hebrews 7:25, “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.”
This is central to salvation. Christ is not only the King who rules. He is the Priest who mediates. He offered Himself as the final sacrifice for sin, entered heaven itself, and ever lives to intercede for His people.
Hebrews 9:24, “For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:”
Hebrews 10:12, “But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;”
Hebrews 10:13, “From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.”
Hebrews 10:14, “For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.”
Psalm 110:4 therefore reveals the priestly work of Messiah before the New Testament fully explains it. Christ is the eternal Priest King. He does not descend from Aaron, but He fulfills and surpasses the priesthood. He is the true King of righteousness, King of peace, and Priest of the Most High God.
B. The Conquest of the Messiah
Psalm 110:5, The Messiah Contends With the Kings of the Nations
Psalm 110:5, “The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath.”
The second major section of the psalm moves from enthronement and priesthood to conquest. “The Lord at thy right hand” shows divine strength and support in the day of battle. In Psalm 110:1, the Messiah sits at the right hand of Yahweh. Here, the Lord is at the Messiah’s right hand in battle. The Father and the Son are united in purpose, rule, judgment, and victory.
“He shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath.” This is not the gentle invitation of the present gospel age. This is the day of wrath. Kings who refuse the Messiah’s rule will be judged. No earthly ruler is above Christ. No government, empire, coalition, or military power can withstand Him.
This verse fits the broader biblical teaching that the Messiah will judge rebellious rulers and nations.
Psalm 2:1, “Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?”
Psalm 2:2, “The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying,”
Psalm 2:3, “Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.”
Psalm 2:4, “He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh, the Lord shall have them in derision.”
Psalm 2:5, “Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.”
Psalm 2:6, “Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.”
The same Messiah who now offers salvation will one day execute judgment. Men often prefer a Christ who comforts but never conquers, forgives but never judges, saves but never rules. Psalm 110 gives the biblical Christ, the enthroned Lord, eternal Priest, and conquering King.
This judgment is also seen in Revelation.
Revelation 19:15, “And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations, and he shall rule them with a rod of iron, and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.”
Revelation 19:16, “And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”
Psalm 110:5 teaches that the Messiah will not merely negotiate with rebellious kings. He will strike through them in the day of His wrath. His authority is final.
Psalm 110:6 to Psalm 110:7, The Messiah Judges All Nations
Psalm 110:6, “He shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill the places with the dead bodies, he shall wound the heads over many countries.”
Psalm 110:7, “He shall drink of the brook in the way: therefore shall he lift up the head.”
Verse 6 broadens the judgment, “He shall judge among the heathen.” The word “heathen” refers to the nations. The Messiah’s judgment is worldwide. He is not merely a local ruler over Israel. He is Judge of all nations. Every nation is accountable to Him.
“He shall fill the places with the dead bodies.” This is severe language. It points to real judgment, not merely symbolic correction. The final rebellion of the nations will end in devastating defeat. This fits the prophetic picture of Armageddon and the return of Christ in Revelation 19.
Revelation 16:16, “And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.”
Revelation 19:11, “And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse, and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.”
Revelation 19:12, “His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns, and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.”
Revelation 19:13, “And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood, and his name is called The Word of God.”
Revelation 19:14, “And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.”
Revelation 19:15, “And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations, and he shall rule them with a rod of iron, and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.”
Revelation 19:16, “And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”
Revelation 19:17, “And I saw an angel standing in the sun, and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;”
Revelation 19:18, “That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.”
Revelation 19:19, “And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.”
Revelation 19:20, “And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.”
Revelation 19:21, “And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth, and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.”
The language of Psalm 110:6 is not pleasant to modern ears, but it is necessary truth. The Messiah’s reign includes justice. Evil will not be managed forever. Rebellion will not be tolerated forever. The nations that rage against Christ will be judged.
“He shall wound the heads over many countries.” This may refer to rulers, chiefs, or the collective headship of rebellious nations. The Messiah strikes the leadership of rebellion. This echoes the ancient promise that the seed of the woman would bruise the serpent’s head.
Genesis 3:15, “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed, it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.”
Christ has already won decisive victory through the cross and resurrection, and He will bring that victory to visible completion in judgment and kingdom rule.
Verse 7 says, “He shall drink of the brook in the way: therefore shall he lift up the head.” This likely pictures the conquering King refreshed during His victorious pursuit. He pauses to drink from the brook along the way, then lifts up His head in triumph. The verse presents strength, perseverance, refreshment, and exaltation.
Some have taken this as a picture of Messiah’s humiliation, but the context strongly points to battle and victory. The King is not defeated. He is refreshed and lifts His head. To lift up the head is a sign of triumph, honor, and restored strength.
Psalm 3:3, “But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me, my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.”
The Messiah will lift up His head because His conquest is certain. His enemies will be made His footstool. His priesthood will never end. His rule will extend from Zion. His people will be willing. His judgment will reach the nations. His victory will be complete.
Psalm 110 teaches that Jesus Christ is David’s Lord, the enthroned Messiah, the eternal Priest after the order of Melchizedek, and the conquering King who will judge the nations. He is not merely a teacher, prophet, or moral example. He is the divine Son, seated at the right hand of God, reigning now, interceding forever, and coming again in power and wrath against His enemies.
For the believer, Psalm 110 gives confidence. Christ’s work is complete, His priesthood is eternal, His intercession is active, His rule is certain, and His enemies will fall. For the unbeliever and rebellious nations, Psalm 110 gives warning. The Messiah will not be resisted forever. Every enemy will either bow willingly in salvation or be made His footstool in judgment.
