Psalm 110: David’s Vision of the Coming Christ

Once upon a time, I worked for a company that designed and installed audio, video, and lighting systems in businesses, government facilities, and churches. I had the opportunity once to be interviewed about one of our projects. I thought it would be fun. After all, I’d never been interviewed before. I’d never been quoted in the newspaper before. When the publication came out, I bought lots of copies.

I was so embarrassed. I thought the writer would do a little editing. But nooooo. Every “you know,” every “like,” every “uh,” every time I said “stuff” instead of equipment, it was all in there. No editing. No cleaning up. It made me sound like an ignorant country bumpkin. Right then and there, I decided I didn’t like being quoted.

I hope Israel’s King David didn’t feel that way, because today we’re talking about a psalm he wrote that became the most-quoted psalm in the New Testament. Jesus (Matthew 22:43-45; Mark 12:36-37; Luke 20:42-44), Peter (Acts 2:34-36), and the writer of Hebrews (Hebrews 1:13; 5:6-10; 7:11-28) all quoted this psalm — Psalm 110.

In this psalm, David received an oracle from God, a “saying from Yahweh,” translated in the NKJV as, “The LORD said.”

The LORD said to my Lord,“
Sit at My right hand,
Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.” (Psalm 110:1)

David hears Yahweh say to David’s Lord, “Sit at my right hand,” which is a position of honor and power. By calling this person “Lord,” David is showing him respect and acknowledging that he is greater than David.

The question is, who is this “Lord”? One day, Jesus asked the Pharisees, “What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?” (Matthew 22:42). The Pharisees rightly answered, “The son of David.” Then Jesus quoted Psalm 110:1 and asked, “If David then calls him ‘Lord,’ how is he his son?”

The Jews knew that the “Lord” in this verse was referring to the coming Messiah (the Christ), and that this Messiah would be a descendant of David. But Messiah was also David’s Lord. How could David call his son (descendant) “Lord”? There’s only one answer: Messiah would be more than an ordinary man. He’d be a descendant of David, so a man, but he would be both man and God, both human and divine. Jesus was telling the Pharisees that he himself was the Messiah, and by doing so, he was announcing that he was both man and God.

If Jesus made this claim without spelling it out, the Apostle Peter, who was there that day, right after quoting Psalm 110:1, said it very clearly:

Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36)

The Lord is the Messiah, and the Lord and Messiah is Jesus. In Psalm 110:1, then, it was David’s future son, the Messiah, Jesus, who David saw defeating all the nations.

In this psalm, David sees the Messiah assuming four roles, the first of which is Lord. He also saw the Messiah serving as King (Psalm 110:2-3).

These verses show the Messiah and his rule extending from Jerusalem. Today, Jesus rules his kingdom in love and grace, and it is ever-expanding. He is our King, sovereign over all Creation (Ephesians 1:20-22). One day, though, he’ll rule as a literal King over a physical Kingdom. Jesus will reign with absolute power and perfect justice, bringing righteous judgment on those who reject him. Though Jesus is already ruling, this final victory over evil hasn’t yet been won.

Now here’s where things get even more interesting, because David sees the Messiah not only as Lord and King but also as Priest.

The LORD has sworn
And will not relent,
“You are a priest forever
According to the order of Melchizedek.” (Psalm 110:4)

David is referring to an event in Genesis 14, when Abraham was blessed by a man named Melchizedek, who was king of Salem (later known as Jerusalem) and a priest. The combination of king and priest was unheard of, since a king represented God to the people and a priest represented the people before God. These were normally two separate offices.

In 2 Samuel 7, God swore to David that his kingdom would last forever, and here in Psalm 110:4 God promises not to change his mind about that. David’s descendant, the Messiah, would not only be Lord and King but also Priest, and this forever. The unity of King and Priest in one person would return in the person of Jesus.

Jesus couldn’t be a priest in the Levitical line, since he came from the tribe of Judah, not Levi. That’s why Jesus is a Priest in the order of Melchizedek, not Levi. The author of Hebrews provides all the details we need to connect Psalm 110:4 with Jesus (5:6-10; 7:11-28). As the perfect priest, Jesus offered the perfect sacrifice for our sins — himself. He not only made the perfect sacrifice, but he was the perfect sacrifice. Jesus provided the way of salvation, and he serves as our Priest forever, making intercession for us before the Father (Hebrews 7:23-25). As King, Jesus is in complete control of your circumstances. As Priest, he is with you, helping you navigate your circumstances.

David sees the Messiah as Lord, King, Priest, and also as Judge (Psalm 110:5-7).

David hinted at it in verses 2-3, but now he states clearly that the Messiah will one day be the Judge over all mankind. Christ will one day return to establish his physical kingdom and to judge the earth (John 5:22-27). Those who reject Jesus as Lord will be judged and sentenced. All of this will take place in what’s called the Millennium (see Revelation 19:11-20:15).

This is a powerful psalm. In it, David sees a vision of his descendant, the Messiah, who will serve as eternal Lord, eternal King, eternal Priest, and eternal Judge.

Here’s my question to you: If you know him as God’s Son and your Savior and Lord, then are you: