Psalm 110: David’s Greater Son

Key Verse
1 The Lord says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.”
 
Meditation
Jesus is King of Kings and He rules over everything.
 
Today’s reading is the most quoted Psalm in the New Testament, written by king David to celebrate the greatest King of history, the King of eternity. The future king would have the highest position (v. 1), the highest authority (v. 2), and receive the highest tribute (v. 3). Jesus claims this passage for Himself (Mark 12:36-37) because Jesus is the King of Kings.
 
The King celebrated in this psalm is also an eternal priest serving in the order of Melchizedek (v. 4). “By translation of His name He is the king of righteousness, and then also the king of peace” (Hebrews 7:2). In this lineage Jesus is “a priest forever” (Hebrews 7:17) and through His work Jesus makes a “greater covenant” (Hebrews 7:22). By the priestly work of our King we are saved completely and able to draw near to His throne because of His intercession (Hebrews 7:25).
 
Like David, we only see the partial fulfillment of the Messiah’s not-yet fully consummated kingdom. But we know Jesus will one day destroy the wicked rulers of the earth (v. 5), executing judgement and justice among the nations (v. 6) through comprehensive victory (v. 7). David hoped in the future and final rule of the messianic king and so should we, knowing Jesus will return in victory (Revelation 19:11-21)!
 
The apostles proclaim this psalm as the primary identity of Jesus (Acts 2:33-35) because Jesus is King of Kings and He rules over everything. This means, at least, that Christians worship Jesus by trusting Him in all things.
 
Today’s Reading
The Lord says to my Lord:
    “Sit at my right hand,
until I make your enemies your footstool.”
2 The Lord sends forth from Zion
    your mighty scepter.
    Rule in the midst of your enemies!
3 Your people will offer themselves freely
    on the day of your power,
    in holy garments;
from the womb of the morning,
    the dew of your youth will be yours.
 
4 The Lord has sworn
    and will not change his mind,
“You are a priest forever
    after the order of Melchizedek.”
5 The Lord is at your right hand;
    he will shatter kings on the day of his wrath.
6 He will execute judgment among the nations,
    filling them with corpses;
he will shatter chiefs
    over the wide earth.
7 He will drink from the brook by the way;
    therefore he will lift up his head.
 
Richly Dwelling
-Are you surprised that David writes a worship song looking forward to a greater king, his Lord, and ruler?
 
-Which descriptions of the king of Kings either in the psalm or the meditation stand out to you the most? Why?
 
-How can you celebrate the rule and reign of Jesus in your life and labor? Be specific.
 
Key Verse
1 The Lord says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.”