Psalms 110 Study Notes: David's Lord the Priest King
David records God's promise to enthrone his Lord at God's right hand until every enemy is subdued. The King rules from Zion with a willing people, is sworn in as an eternal priest like Melchizedek, and judges the nations; the New Testament applies the psalm to Jesus.
General
In Matthew 22:41-46, what question does Jesus raise from the opening line of Psalm 110?
Answer: How the Christ is David's descendant yet also his Lord
David wrote Psalm 110, and in its first verse David reports what the LORD (God) said to someone David calls my Lord. Jesus asked the Pharisees whose son the Christ (the Messiah, God's promised anointed King) would be, and they answered David's. Jesus then pointed out that David, moved by the Spirit, calls this King his Lord, and asked how He could be merely David's son (Matthew 22:41-46; Mark 12:35-37). No one could answer. The point is that the Messiah is David's descendant and also greater than David, his Lord. After Jesus rose and ascended, Peter used this verse to proclaim that God had made Jesus Lord and Christ alike (Acts 2:34-36).
- Psalm 110:1 (BSB)“A Psalm of David. The LORD said to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.””David records the LORD's word to the one David calls my Lord, inviting Him to sit at God's right hand.
- Matthew 22:41-46 (BSB)“While the Pharisees were assembled, Jesus questioned them: “What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is He?” “David’s,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “How then does David in the Spirit call Him ‘Lord’? For he says: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand until I put Your enemies under Your feet.”’ So if David calls Him ‘Lord,’ how can He be David’s son?” No one was able to answer a word, and from that day on no one dared to question Him any further.”Jesus uses this verse to ask how the Christ can be both David's son and David's Lord, and no one can answer.
- Mark 12:35-37 (BSB)“While Jesus was teaching in the temple courts, He asked, “How can the scribes say that the Christ is the Son of David? Speaking by the Holy Spirit, David himself declared: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand until I put Your enemies under Your feet.”’ David himself calls Him ‘Lord.’ So how can He be David’s son?” And the large crowd listened to Him with delight.”Mark records the same question, noting that David spoke these words by the Holy Spirit.
- Acts 2:34-36 (BSB)“For David did not ascend into heaven, but he himself says: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”’ Therefore let all Israel know with certainty that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ!””Peter uses the verse to show that David was speaking of Jesus, whom God made both Lord and Christ.
Theological
What question does Jesus press on the Pharisees from 110:1 in Matthew 22:41-46?
Answer: How the Christ is David's descendant yet also his Lord
David, the psalm's author, reports an oracle of the LORD addressed to one he calls my Lord (110:1). Jesus presses this on the Pharisees, who had answered correctly but incompletely that the Messiah is David's son: if David, speaking in the Spirit, addresses Him as his Lord, in what sense is He merely David's heir (Matthew 22:41-46; Mark 12:35-37)? The question silences His opponents and points to the Messiah's identity as both David's descendant and David's sovereign, the Son who is more than a mere human heir. Peter later applies the same verse to the risen and ascended Jesus, whom God has made Lord and Christ alike (Acts 2:34-36).
- Psalm 110:1 (BSB)“A Psalm of David. The LORD said to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.””David records the LORD's word to the one David calls my Lord, inviting Him to sit at God's right hand.
- Matthew 22:41-46 (BSB)“While the Pharisees were assembled, Jesus questioned them: “What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is He?” “David’s,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “How then does David in the Spirit call Him ‘Lord’? For he says: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand until I put Your enemies under Your feet.”’ So if David calls Him ‘Lord,’ how can He be David’s son?” No one was able to answer a word, and from that day on no one dared to question Him any further.”Jesus uses this verse to ask how the Christ can be both David's son and David's Lord, and no one can answer.
- Mark 12:35-37 (BSB)“While Jesus was teaching in the temple courts, He asked, “How can the scribes say that the Christ is the Son of David? Speaking by the Holy Spirit, David himself declared: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand until I put Your enemies under Your feet.”’ David himself calls Him ‘Lord.’ So how can He be David’s son?” And the large crowd listened to Him with delight.”Mark records the same question, noting that David spoke these words by the Holy Spirit.
- Acts 2:34-36 (BSB)“For David did not ascend into heaven, but he himself says: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”’ Therefore let all Israel know with certainty that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ!””Peter uses the verse to show that David was speaking of Jesus, whom God made both Lord and Christ.
General
What does the LORD swear to the King in 110:4?
Answer: That He will be a priest forever like Melchizedek
In 110:4 the LORD makes an oath and promises never to change His mind: the King will be a priest for all time, after the pattern of Melchizedek. Melchizedek appears in Genesis as the king of Salem who served God Most High as priest and blessed Abram (Genesis 14:18-20). So the one addressed in this psalm is both King and Priest. Hebrews quotes this verse to show that God Himself appointed Christ as high priest (Hebrews 5:5-6). Other priests took office with no oath at all; Jesus was appointed by God's sworn word, and so He guarantees a covenant that is better than the old one (Hebrews 7:20-22). Because He lives forever, His priesthood never ends, and He can fully save all who come near to God by Him, because He never stops praying on their behalf (Hebrews 7:23-25).
- Psalm 110:4 (BSB)“The LORD has sworn and will not change His mind: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.””The LORD swears an unchangeable oath making the King a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.
- Genesis 14:18-20 (BSB)“Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine—since he was priest of God Most High— and he blessed Abram and said: “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of everything.”Melchizedek appears as king of Salem and priest of God Most High, who blessed Abram.
- Hebrews 5:5-6 (BSB)“So also Christ did not take upon Himself the glory of becoming a high priest, but He was called by the One who said to Him: “You are My Son; today I have become Your Father.” And in another passage God says: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.””Hebrews says God Himself appointed Christ as high priest, quoting Psalm 2 and Psalm 110:4.
- Hebrews 7:20-22 (BSB)“And none of this happened without an oath. For others became priests without an oath, but Jesus became a priest with an oath by the One who said to Him: “The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind: ‘You are a priest forever.’” Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.”Hebrews stresses that Jesus became priest with an oath, making Him the guarantee of a better covenant.
- Hebrews 7:23-25 (BSB)“Now there have been many other priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office. But because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood. Therefore He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them.”Because Jesus lives forever, His priesthood is permanent and He is able to save completely.
Theological
What sworn appointment does the LORD make in 110:4?
Answer: That He will be a priest forever like Melchizedek
Verse 4 is an irrevocable divine oath: the LORD binds Himself by oath and will not relent, appointing the King an everlasting priest after Melchizedek's pattern, the king of Salem who served God Most High as priest and blessed Abram (Genesis 14:18-20). Kingship and priesthood are joined in one person. Hebrews returns to this verse again and again: God, not Christ Himself, conferred the high-priestly office (Hebrews 5:5-6); the oath sets Christ's priesthood above the Levitical order and makes Jesus the guarantor of a superior covenant (Hebrews 7:20-22); and because He lives forever, His priesthood is permanent, so He fully saves all who come to God by Him and never ceases interceding on their behalf (Hebrews 7:23-25). The security of His people rests on this unending priestly work.
- Psalm 110:4 (BSB)“The LORD has sworn and will not change His mind: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.””The LORD swears an unchangeable oath making the King a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.
- Genesis 14:18-20 (BSB)“Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine—since he was priest of God Most High— and he blessed Abram and said: “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of everything.”Melchizedek appears as king of Salem and priest of God Most High, who blessed Abram.
- Hebrews 5:5-6 (BSB)“So also Christ did not take upon Himself the glory of becoming a high priest, but He was called by the One who said to Him: “You are My Son; today I have become Your Father.” And in another passage God says: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.””Hebrews says God Himself appointed Christ as high priest, quoting Psalm 2 and Psalm 110:4.
- Hebrews 7:20-22 (BSB)“And none of this happened without an oath. For others became priests without an oath, but Jesus became a priest with an oath by the One who said to Him: “The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind: ‘You are a priest forever.’” Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.”Hebrews stresses that Jesus became priest with an oath, making Him the guarantee of a better covenant.
- Hebrews 7:23-25 (BSB)“Now there have been many other priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office. But because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood. Therefore He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them.”Because Jesus lives forever, His priesthood is permanent and He is able to save completely.
General
How does 110:2-3 describe the King's reign and His people?
Answer: He rules from Zion, and His people come forward freely
In 110:2 the LORD stretches out the King's powerful scepter (the rod that stands for a king's authority) from Zion, the hill of Jerusalem where God's presence dwelt, and tells Him to rule even while surrounded by enemies. Verse 3 says His people will be willing on His day of battle; they come forward gladly, not under compulsion. The verse goes on with pictures of holy splendor and of dawn and dew that suggest fresh strength and youth. Psalm 2 paints the same picture of God installing His King on Zion and giving Him the nations (Psalm 2:6-9). Deborah's song praises the LORD when the people volunteered for battle (Judges 5:2). Paul says God has seated Christ far above every rule and authority (Ephesians 1:20-22).
- Psalm 110:2-3 (BSB)“The LORD extends Your mighty scepter from Zion: “Rule in the midst of Your enemies.” Your 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.”The LORD extends the King's rule from Zion, and His people offer themselves on His day of battle.
- Psalm 2:6-9 (BSB)““I have installed My King on Zion, upon My holy mountain.” I will proclaim the decree spoken to Me by the LORD: “You are My Son; today I have become Your Father. Ask Me, and I will make the nations Your inheritance, the ends of the earth Your possession. You will break them with an iron scepter; You will shatter them like pottery.””Another royal psalm pictures God installing His King on Zion and giving Him rule over the nations.
- Judges 5:2 (BSB)““When the princes take the lead in Israel, when the people volunteer, bless the LORD.”Deborah's song praises the LORD when the people volunteer for battle, the same picture of ready followers.
- Ephesians 1:20-22 (BSB)“which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God put everything under His feet and made Him head over everything for the church,”Paul says God seated Christ at His right hand, far above every authority, and put everything under His feet.
Theological
What does 110:2-3 say about the base of the King's rule and the response of His people?
Answer: He rules from Zion, and His people come forward freely
Verse 2 locates the King's rule in Zion, from which the LORD extends His mighty scepter, and commands Him to reign even among His foes, so His reign advances before those enemies are finally subdued. Verse 3 describes His people as willing on His day of battle, a freely offered, glad allegiance, followed by images of holy splendor, dawn, and dew that evoke youthful vigor. The picture matches Psalm 2, where God installs His King on Zion and grants Him the nations (Psalm 2:6-9), and recalls the volunteers praised in Deborah's song (Judges 5:2). Paul describes the exalted Christ ruling far above every authority, with everything placed under His feet (Ephesians 1:20-22).
- Psalm 110:2-3 (BSB)“The LORD extends Your mighty scepter from Zion: “Rule in the midst of Your enemies.” Your 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.”The LORD extends the King's rule from Zion, and His people offer themselves on His day of battle.
- Psalm 2:6-9 (BSB)““I have installed My King on Zion, upon My holy mountain.” I will proclaim the decree spoken to Me by the LORD: “You are My Son; today I have become Your Father. Ask Me, and I will make the nations Your inheritance, the ends of the earth Your possession. You will break them with an iron scepter; You will shatter them like pottery.””Another royal psalm pictures God installing His King on Zion and giving Him rule over the nations.
- Judges 5:2 (BSB)““When the princes take the lead in Israel, when the people volunteer, bless the LORD.”Deborah's song praises the LORD when the people volunteer for battle, the same picture of ready followers.
- Ephesians 1:20-22 (BSB)“which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God put everything under His feet and made Him head over everything for the church,”Paul says God seated Christ at His right hand, far above every authority, and put everything under His feet.
General
True or False: The New Testament applies the invitation of 110:1 to Jesus, who now sits at God's right hand until His enemies are fully subdued.
Answer: True
This is true. In 110:1 the LORD invites David's Lord to take the seat at God's right hand, the place of highest honor and authority, until His enemies are placed under His feet like a footstool. Peter says David could not have meant himself, since David himself never went up to heaven; the verse is about Jesus, the one they crucified, whom God has made Lord as well as Christ (Acts 2:34-36). Hebrews quotes it to show that the Son is greater than the angels (Hebrews 1:13), and says that after Christ offered a single sacrifice for sin, He took His seat at God's right hand, where He now awaits the defeat of every foe (Hebrews 10:12-13). Paul makes the same point: Christ must reign until every enemy is under His feet (1 Corinthians 15:25).
- Psalm 110:1 (BSB)“A Psalm of David. The LORD said to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.””The LORD invites the King to sit at His right hand until His enemies are made His footstool.
- Acts 2:34-36 (BSB)“For David did not ascend into heaven, but he himself says: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”’ Therefore let all Israel know with certainty that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ!””Peter argues that David did not ascend to heaven, so the one invited to sit at God's right hand is Jesus.
- Hebrews 1:13 (BSB)“Yet to which of the angels did God ever say: “Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet”?”Hebrews uses the verse to show the Son's superiority to angels, since God never said this to any angel.
- Hebrews 10:12-13 (BSB)“But when this Priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God. Since that time, He waits for His enemies to be made a footstool for His feet,”After offering one sacrifice for sins, Christ sat down at God's right hand and waits for His enemies to be subdued.
- 1 Corinthians 15:25 (BSB)“For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet.”Paul echoes the psalm: Christ must reign until every enemy is put under His feet.
Theological
True or False: The New Testament reads 110:1 as fulfilled in Christ's enthronement beside God, where He reigns until every enemy is subdued.
Answer: True
This is true. The invitation to sit at God's right hand in 110:1 is quoted again and again in the New Testament to describe Christ's exaltation. Peter argues from David's non-ascension that the enthroned one is the risen Jesus, now Lord and Christ (Acts 2:34-36). Hebrews cites it for the Son's supremacy over angels (Hebrews 1:13) and ties that seat of honor to the finished work of His once-for-all sacrifice, after which He awaits the final defeat of His foes (Hebrews 10:12-13). Paul likewise speaks of Christ reigning until all enemies are under His feet (1 Corinthians 15:25). The victory is certain because it rests on the LORD's own decree.
- Psalm 110:1 (BSB)“A Psalm of David. The LORD said to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.””The LORD invites the King to sit at His right hand until His enemies are made His footstool.
- Acts 2:34-36 (BSB)“For David did not ascend into heaven, but he himself says: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”’ Therefore let all Israel know with certainty that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ!””Peter argues that David did not ascend to heaven, so the one invited to sit at God's right hand is Jesus.
- Hebrews 1:13 (BSB)“Yet to which of the angels did God ever say: “Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet”?”Hebrews uses the verse to show the Son's superiority to angels, since God never said this to any angel.
- Hebrews 10:12-13 (BSB)“But when this Priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God. Since that time, He waits for His enemies to be made a footstool for His feet,”After offering one sacrifice for sins, Christ sat down at God's right hand and waits for His enemies to be subdued.
- 1 Corinthians 15:25 (BSB)“For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet.”Paul echoes the psalm: Christ must reign until every enemy is put under His feet.
General
What do verses 5-7 picture the Lord at the King's right hand doing when His anger breaks out?
Answer: Defeating rulers and bringing judgment on nations
The psalm ends with a scene of victory and judgment. The Lord at the King's right hand shatters kings when His anger breaks out, judges the nations, and strikes down rulers across the earth (110:5-6). Then the victor drinks from a brook along the way and lifts up His head, a picture of a warrior refreshed and triumphant (110:7). These are battle images of God's justice against those who oppose His King. Psalm 2 warns rulers to serve the LORD and honor the Son before His anger flares (Psalm 2:10-12). Paul says God has fixed a day to judge the world through the One He appointed and raised from the dead (Acts 17:31), a coming day on which God's just verdict will be shown (Romans 2:5).
- Psalm 110:5-7 (BSB)“The Lord is at Your right hand; He will crush kings in the day of His wrath. He will judge the nations, heaping up the dead; He will crush the leaders far and wide. He will drink from the brook by the road; therefore He will lift up His head.”The Lord at the King's right hand crushes kings and judges the nations; He drinks from the brook by the way and lifts His head.
- Psalm 2:10-12 (BSB)“Therefore be wise, O kings; be admonished, O judges of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest He be angry and you perish in your rebellion, when His wrath ignites in an instant. Blessed are all who take refuge in Him.”Kings are warned to serve the LORD and honor the Son before His wrath ignites.
- Acts 17:31 (BSB)“For He has set a day when He will judge the world with justice by the Man He has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising Him from the dead.””Paul says God has set a day when He will judge the world by the Man He appointed and raised from the dead.
- Romans 2:5 (BSB)“But because of your hard and unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of wrath, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.”Paul speaks of a coming day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed.
Theological
What does 110:5-7 portray the Lord at the King's right hand accomplishing?
Answer: Defeating rulers and bringing judgment on nations
The closing verses portray the Lord at the King's right hand shattering kings when His anger breaks out, executing judgment among the nations, and striking down rulers across the earth (110:5-6); the victor then drinks from a stream along the way and lifts His head, an image of refreshed and vindicated triumph (110:7). The imagery is martial and describes the certainty of God's just judgment on those who resist His anointed. Psalm 2 likewise warns rulers to submit to the Son before His wrath ignites (Psalm 2:10-12). Paul identifies the appointed Judge as the risen Christ (Acts 17:31) and warns of the coming day on which God's just verdict comes to light (Romans 2:5).
- Psalm 110:5-7 (BSB)“The Lord is at Your right hand; He will crush kings in the day of His wrath. He will judge the nations, heaping up the dead; He will crush the leaders far and wide. He will drink from the brook by the road; therefore He will lift up His head.”The Lord at the King's right hand crushes kings and judges the nations; He drinks from the brook by the way and lifts His head.
- Psalm 2:10-12 (BSB)“Therefore be wise, O kings; be admonished, O judges of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest He be angry and you perish in your rebellion, when His wrath ignites in an instant. Blessed are all who take refuge in Him.”Kings are warned to serve the LORD and honor the Son before His wrath ignites.
- Acts 17:31 (BSB)“For He has set a day when He will judge the world with justice by the Man He has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising Him from the dead.””Paul says God has set a day when He will judge the world by the Man He appointed and raised from the dead.
- Romans 2:5 (BSB)“But because of your hard and unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of wrath, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.”Paul speaks of a coming day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed.