Overview: (NET) In this royal psalm the psalmist announces God’s oracle to the Davidic king. The first part of the oracle appears in v. 1, the second in v. 4.
110:1 Here is the LORD’s proclamation to my lord:
“Sit down at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool!”
110:4 The LORD makes this promise on oath and will not revoke it:
“You are an eternal priest after the pattern of Melchizedek.”
In vv. 2–3 the psalmist addresses the king,
110:2 The LORD extends your dominion from Zion.
Rule in the midst of your enemies!
110:3 Your people willingly follow you when you go into battle.
On the holy hills at sunrise the dew of your youth belongs to you.
while in vv. 5–7 he appears to address God.
Rule in the midst of your enemies!
110:3 Your people willingly follow you when you go into battle.
On the holy hills at sunrise the dew of your youth belongs to you.
while in vv. 5–7 he appears to address God.
v.5 O sovereign LORD, at your right hand
he strikes down kings in the day he unleashes his anger.
110:6 He executes judgment against the nations;
he fills the valleys with corpses;
he shatters their heads over the vast battlefield.
110:7 From the stream along the road he drinks;
then he lifts up his head.
Explanation notes:
he strikes down kings in the day he unleashes his anger.
110:6 He executes judgment against the nations;
he fills the valleys with corpses;
he shatters their heads over the vast battlefield.
110:7 From the stream along the road he drinks;
then he lifts up his head.
Explanation notes:
110:1a Here is the LORD’s proclamation to my lord: (NET) My lord. In the psalm’s original context the speaker is an unidentified prophetic voice in the royal court. In the course of time the psalm is applied to each successive king in the dynasty and ultimately to the ideal Davidic king. NT references to the psalm understand David to be speaking about his “lord,” the Messiah.
(Kel) David was referring to his descendant as his master, which would be more unusual in dynastic pronouncements. David clearly sees this future coming king, who is the one to whom God is speaking, as his sovereign master. His use of the word “my lord” does not indicate that the king was divine, only that he is lord and master. If it is referring to David’s descendant, it means he will be greater than David
110:1b “Sit down at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool!” (NET)When the Lord made his covenant with David, he promised to subdue the king’s enemies
(Kel) this king was to be exalted to the power and dominion and honor of heaven itself—before he establishes dominion in all the earth
v.3b On the holy hills at sunrise the dew of your youth belongs to you. (NET) The point of the metaphor is not entirely clear. The dew may symbolize the king’s youthful vitality or, more likely (note the parallelism), may refer to his army of strong, youthful warriors.
110:7 From the stream along the road he drinks; then he lifts up his head (NET) the expression “lifts up the head” refers to the renewed physical strength and emotional vigor (see Ps 3:3) provided by the refreshing water.
Repeated words and ideas:
(1) v.1-5a The LORD helped "my lord" in the following ways:
"sit down...I make your enemies your footstool v.1"
"The LORD extends your dominion v.2"
"Your people willingly follow you (perhaps implies that the LORD was behind this) v.3"
"The LORD makes this promise on oath...'You are an eternal priest' v.4"
"my lord" can do the things in v.5b-9, because, "O sovereign LORD, at your right hand he strikes down king... v.5a.
(2) v.5b-9 As a result, "my lord" has victory over all kings and nations
"strikes down kings v.5"
"executes judgment against nations (plural)...fill the valleys with corpses...shatters their heads over the vast battlefield v.6"
Conclusion: "my lord" got the help from God and therefore He can wipe out all kings and nations.
Question from v.4: I asked myself this question from v.4 yesterday, "Why did the LORD making "my lord" the eternal priest in the context of a battle?"
Now, when I looked again, the immediate context was about the help from the LORD. The blessings of making 'my lord" the eternal priest v.4b and sitting Him at the right hand v.5a were mentioned together. "My lord" can serve God eternally as a priest was an evidence of His high position.
(optional) (NET) You are an eternal priest. The Davidic king exercised a non-Levitical priestly role. The king superintended Judah’s cultic ritual, had authority over the Levites, and sometimes led in formal worship. David himself instructed the Levites to bring the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem (1 Chr 15:11–15), joined the procession, offered sacrifices, wore a priestly ephod, and blessed the people (2 Sam 6:12–19). At the dedication of the temple Solomon led the ceremony, offering sacrifices and praying on behalf of the people (1 Kgs 8).
(NET) The Davidic king’s priestly role is analogous to that of Melchizedek, who was both “king of Salem” (i.e., Jerusalem) and a “priest of God Most High” in the time of Abraham (Gen 14:18–20). Like Melchizedek, the Davidic king was a royal priest, distinct from the Aaronic line (see Heb 7).
Reflection: The position in front of God was the determining factor of how one can perform on earth. God helped "my lord" and made young soldiers to follow Him. Do you see blessings in your life with no seeming explanation?
God topped blessings upon blessings to 'my lord." He is both king and eternal priest. No one can stand in front of Him. Do you feel undeserved to be saved and given the spiritual blessings in Christ? \
Couple weeks ago, I was talking to 2 kids in the church regarding disciple training. I have taught them for a period of time and that was the first time we discussed this matter in church. Another kid showed interest to learn more about this and she joined. After she joined I found that she has a hunger for spiritual matters. I thank God for her! I did not find her, but God sent her to me.
Audrey
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