The author of Psalm 110 was David and it is one of the most quoted psalms in the New Testament because of its clear references to the Messiah. In Matthew 21:41-45, Jesus recited the words of this verse and applied them to himself.
Verses 1 and 6 look forward to Christ's final and total destruction of the wicked; Verse 2 prophesies of God's reign on the earth; Verse 3 and 4 tell of Christ's priestly work for his people and verses 5 and 6 look forward to the final battle on earth when Christ will overcome the forces of evil.
Many people have a vague belief in God, but refuse to accept Jesus as anything more than a great human teacher. But the Bible does not allow that option. Both the Old and New Testaments proclaim the deity of the One who came to save and to reign. Jesus explained that this psalm spoke of the Messiah as greater than David, Israel's greatest king. Peter used this psalm to show that Jesus, the Messiah, sits at God's right hand and is Lord over all. You can't straddle the fence, calling Jesus "just a good teacher," because the Bible clearly calls him Lord.
In verse 4, it states the you are a "priest forever in the order of Melchizedek." Melchizedek was the first priest/king of Scripture - a leader with a heart tuned to God. He was good at encouraging others to serve God wholeheartedly. He was a man whose character reflected his love for God. He was a person in the Old Testament who reminds us of Jesus. This verse tells us that as a priest like Melchizedek, Christ will never abuse his divine position and his reign will be forever.
Psalm 110 / New International Version
ReplyDelete1 The Lord says to my Lord:
“Sit at my right hand
until I make your enemies
a footstool for your feet.”
2 The Lord will extend your mighty scepter from Zion;
you will rule in the midst of your enemies.
3 Your troops will be willing
on your day of battle.
Arrayed in holy majesty.
from the womb of the dawn
you will receive the dew of your youth.
4 The Lord has sworn
and will not change his mind:
“You are a priest forever,
in the order of Melchizedek.”
5 The Lord is at your right hand;
he will crush kings on the day of his wrath.
6 He will judge the nations, heaping up the dead
and crushing the rulers of the whole earth.
7 He will drink from a brook beside the way,
therefore he will lift up his head.