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Psalms 110

7 verses

TL;DR

A divine proclamation of the Messiah’s exaltation, eternal priesthood, and victorious reign over enemies.

Summary

Psalm 110 begins with the LORD declaring that the Messiah, referred to as “my Lord,” will sit at God’s right hand, a sign of supreme authority. The psalm then speaks of a divine rod of strength from Zion, indicating the Messiah’s sovereign rule over enemies. It describes the faithful people’s readiness and the Messiah’s beauty of holiness, symbolized by a dew‑like youthfulness. Verse four affirms the Messiah’s perpetual priesthood, following the order of Melchizedek, underscoring a covenantal legitimacy beyond the Levitical system. The psalm continues with imagery of divine judgment—striking kings, judging among the heathen, and conquering across nations—illustrating the Messiah’s complete triumph. Finally, the psalm ends with a poetic image of the Messiah drinking from a brook, suggesting both nourishment and exaltation. Overall, the chapter presents the Messiah as a divine ruler who is both king and eternal priest, destined to overcome all adversaries.

Outline
  1. Divine exaltation and authority
  2. Eternal priesthood in the order of Melchizedek
  3. Victory and judgment over enemies
Themes
Divine sovereigntyMessianic priesthoodTriumphal victory
Keywords
Lordright handfootstoolrodZionMelchizedekpriestkingenemiesjudgment
People
the LORDmy LordMelchizedek
Places
Zion
Things
right handfootstoolrod of strengthpriesthoodbrook
Key Verses
  • Psalms 110:1: Reveals the divine decree of the Messiah’s exaltation at God’s right hand.
  • Psalms 110:4: Affirms the Messiah’s eternal priesthood following the order of Melchizedek, establishing covenantal legitimacy.
Questions
  • What does sitting at God’s right hand symbolize in biblical theology?
  • How does the Melchizedekian priesthood differ from the Levitical priesthood?
  • In what ways does Psalm 110 foreshadow the Messiah’s victory over enemies?
  • What is the significance of the imagery of drinking from a brook in this psalm?
  • How does this psalm inform Christian concepts of priesthood and kingship?
Sentiment

positive
The psalm expresses divine favor, promise of victory, and exalted priesthood.