Many people today refuse to accept the fact that our Lord Jesus Christ is more than a great human teacher whose moral teaching has positively affected the life and conduct of so-called Christians. This psalm begins with a plain, dogmatic statement declaring the deity of Christ. Specific New Testament references to this psalm, as it relates to him, are in Acts 2; Hebrews 1,5, 6,7,10. There are many other connected references in the New Testament to our Lord and the One seated at the right hand of God, as well as similar statements. The Bible proclaims our Lord Jesus as deity, God, in both the Old and New Testaments. This psalm is a messianic psalm with more references in the New Testament than any other psalm.
An “oracle” is a direct statement of command from God, so this psalm begins with an oracle from God. “Sit Thou at My right hand, until I make Thine enemies Thy footstool.” The first use of the word “Lord” is Jehovah. The second use of the word “Lord” is “adon” – master, ruler. The One seated at God’s right hand is Jesus the Nazarene, who is there “until His enemies are made His footstool.” He is commanded to hold the place of highest honor and to share sovereign, divine rule over all until all His enemies have been defeated. The Lord is seated there in an official capacity now, during this time in which He calls out those He has chosen to be His church.
The Messiah is “seated” in an official capacity as the Victor over sin, death, and hell. Shortly before He died, our Lord Jesus applied the words of this psalm to Himself in Matthew 22. The Sadducees had asked Him a foolish question, which He answered by telling them they didn’t know the scriptures nor admit to God’s power to raise the dead. So, the Pharisees tried to trap Him with a question about the law, which He plainly answered. While they were trying to find another question with which they could trap Him, He asked them a question without any hidden motive. It revealed to them that He could see through their deception to try to convict Him of claiming deity. That was a capital crime to the Jews. His question, “What think ye of Christ? Whose Son is He?” went right to the point of their deceitful questions.
Their response revealed their limited knowledge of the scriptures or their unwillingness to accept any scriptures that did not agree with their preconceived opinions. So, the Lord’s second question was to point out the words of this psalm and show proof that deity is in two equal Persons. The first words of this psalm are verbal proofs of the deity of Christ in the Old Testament, which are explained in the Person of our Lord Jesus Christ in the New Testament.
Having one person be king and priest is a great danger for sinful human beings because of the inherent moral corruption in all humanity. But in our Lord Jesus Christ, there is no danger but blessing because of His uniqueness. The prophecies in this psalm that relate to the reign of our Lord Jesus on earth are described in Revelation 20. The priestly work of our Lord Jesus Christ, “after the order of Melchizedek,” is referred to in Hebrews 5-8.
When Christ is the Priest-King, the government will be perfect because He is morally perfect. His righteousness is absolute. The priesthood of our Lord Jesus is not that of the tribe of Levi, which was limited to the Jews. As one who has been made a priest by God, not by tribal right, His office is far superior to
Aaron's, not only because He is a living priest, but He is both human and divine. He is from the tribe of Judah, the kingly tribe, and was “made a priest forever” by the sovereign decree of God. As the King-Priest, He will execute judgment and justice as it is right. He will establish His authority over all who oppose Him, including the antichrist and false prophet.
When our Lord was here, He was humiliated by men, but His exaltation by God will strike fear into all the hearts of those who oppose Him. In the final battle, Christ will be victorious over all the forces of evil worldwide that unite against Him, as described in Revelation 19. The battlefield scene is described and shows the complete victory of the Priest-King, who will be lifted on high in triumph. The Lord Jesus explained that this psalm spoke of the Messiah, who would be greater than David, Israel’s greatest king in the past. At this present time, Jesus, the Messiah, is seated with all authority at the right hand of God. He is, and will always be, “Lord of all.” The “Crowing day is coming by and by,” all His people will be glad to see the King in His glory, clothed with honor and glory, and reigning in holiness and righteousness.
This psalm speaks to His rule and authority, “the day of Thy power.” God’s plans for the future are that our Lord, who is not only the victorious Warrior, bringing defeat to all who oppose God, will be the Priest-King forever.
PSALM 110 CHRIST EXALTED v.1-4. The Oracle. “The Lord said unto my Lord.” v.5-7. The Victory. “The Lord at Thy right hand shall strike through kings.”