Holy Bible - Obsidian Study Guide

Psalm 110 - Sit at My Right Hand

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Psalm 110 - Sit at My Right Hand

Overview

  • Testament: Old
  • Book: Psalms
  • Psalm Number: 110
  • Type: Royal / Messianic
  • Author: David
  • Summary: David’s oracle of the LORD’s invitation to his Lord to sit enthroned at the right hand of God until all enemies are subdued, with the additional declaration that this figure is an eternal priest after the order of Melchizedek.

Content and Significance

Psalm 110 is the single most-quoted Old Testament passage in the entire New Testament, appearing or alluded to more than thirty times. Its opening oracle is striking in its form: “The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.” David, who composed this psalm, calls the figure “my Lord” — his superior — yet this figure is also David’s son according to the line of the Davidic promise. Jesus himself exploits this tension in Matthew 22:41-46, asking the Pharisees how the Christ can be both David’s son and David’s Lord, leaving them unable to answer.

The right hand of God is the seat of honor, authority, and active power in biblical imagery. To be invited to sit there is to share in divine sovereignty over the cosmos. The session is purposeful and expectant: the LORD will make the enemies a footstool — a picture of complete subjugation drawn from ancient Near Eastern royal imagery, where defeated enemies were literally placed under the conqueror’s feet. The reign at the right hand is not passive waiting but active kingly authority being exercised while the subjugation of enemies is accomplished.

The second oracle of the psalm declares the figure to be a priest: “The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.” This is extraordinary. The Davidic king was from the tribe of Judah, while the Levitical priesthood came from Levi. A Davidic king could not legitimately serve as a priest under the Mosaic covenant. Yet here God swears an oath establishing an eternal priesthood on a different basis entirely — the order of Melchizedek, the mysterious priest-king of Salem who blessed Abraham and received tithes from him (Genesis 14:18-20).

The book of Hebrews devotes substantial exposition to this single verse, arguing at length (Hebrews 5-7) that Jesus is the fulfillment of the Melchizedekian priesthood. Because this priesthood is sworn by divine oath, it is inviolable; because it is eternal, it supersedes and fulfills the Levitical priesthood, which was temporary and limited. Jesus, as priest after the order of Melchizedek, offers a perfect and once-for-all sacrifice (himself), lives in the power of an indestructible life, and makes perpetual intercession for his people at the right hand of the Father. The confluence of eternal kingship and eternal priesthood in a single figure describes the unique person and work of Jesus Christ in a way that no other biblical passage accomplishes as concisely.

The closing verses of the psalm picture the king’s military victory on the day of his wrath — “He shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill the places with the dead bodies; he shall wound the heads over many countries” — culminating in the enigmatic image of drinking from the brook in the way, by which “therefore shall he lift up the head.” The final victory of the LORD’s Anointed over all his enemies is assured by the divine oath with which the psalm began.

Key Themes

  • The Messianic King enthroned at the right hand of God
  • The subjugation of all enemies under Christ’s feet
  • The eternal priesthood after the order of Melchizedek
  • The union of royal and priestly office in one person
  • The divine oath as the unbreakable foundation of Christ’s ministry

Important Verses

“The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.” — Psalm 110:1

“The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.” — Psalm 110:4

Cross-References

  • OT: Genesis 14:18-20 — Melchizedek, priest-king of Salem, blesses Abraham
  • NT: Matthew 22:41-46 — Jesus uses Psalm 110:1 to reveal his identity as more than David’s son
  • NT: Acts 2:34-35 — Peter quotes Psalm 110:1 in the Pentecost sermon, declaring Jesus Lord and Christ
  • NT: Hebrews 1:13 — the superior name of the Son demonstrated from Psalm 110:1
  • NT: Hebrews 5:6; 7:17, 21 — the Melchizedekian priesthood applied extensively to Christ
  • NT: 1 Corinthians 15:25 — “he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet”
  • Related: Psalm 2 - The LORD and His Anointed — companion royal-messianic psalm at the Psalter’s opening

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