Psalm 110

Psalm 110 begins with a phrase that is unusual to the psalms but common in prophetic literature. Literally it reads: “The oracle of Yahweh” (NIV: “The LORD says”). So, Psalm 110 is a prophetic oracle. It is, furthermore, notable that the writers of the New Testament quote or allude to Psalm 110 more than any other text in the Old Testament. Jesus used the psalm to point to his resurrection and exaltation to the right hand of God (Mark 12:36), as did Peter in his speech on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:24-35). All subsequent reference to Jesus being seated at the right hand of God in the New Testament is therefore a reference to what this psalm prophesied about the Messiah (Rom 8:34; Eph 1:20; Col 3:1; Heb 1:3; 8:1; 10:12; 12:2; 1 Pet 3:22). As one seated at the right hand of God the Messiah exercises not just the role of a ruler but also of a priest. This role of priest-king was foreshadowed in the enigmatic Melchizedek priest-king of Jerusalem to whom Abraham paid a tithe (The writer of Hebrews expands this point at length in Hebrews 7). As priest, the Messiah mediates salvation, but as king, his final task is that of judge upon the land. This is depicted graphically here, even as it is in Revelation 14:19-20 & 19:11-21. Psalm 110 is a psalm of great promise to the embattled people of God. Through all the turmoil of life we take comfort in the fact that Jesus is the exalted Lord of all the earth and is coming back soon with final victory in his wake.