What does Psalm 110:5 mean?
Once again, David uses the term Adonai, meaning "Lord." This is separate from the term usually printed in small capitals in English, "Lord," referring to the Hebrew term Yahweh. David relates that the Lord, the Messiah (Psalm 110:1), is at the Father's right hand. This is the position of power and acknowledgement. The same imagery is used several times to explain Jesus' absolute divinity and authority.When Jesus ascended to heaven (Acts 1:9), He sat down on the Father's right hand, the place of authority (Colossians 3:1; 1 Peter 3:22). The first recorded martyr, Stephen, saw this. Just before dying, Stephen claimed to have seen Christ "standing at the right hand of God" (Acts 7:56).
Hebrews 8:1 affirms that "we have such a high priest [Jesus], one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven." But David points out that Jesus will destroy kings when He returns for judgment (Psalm 110:6). At the close of the tribulation Jesus will descend from heaven and strike the rulers of the world in a fiery display of His wrath. Psalm 2:12 advises the kings to make peace with the Son, "lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled."
Psalm 110:5–7 completes a series of declarations regarding a "Lord" who is spoken to by God the Father, yet who is also greater than David. This passage uses symbolic language to describe the extent of this "Lord's" eventual victory and rule over the earth. Enemy kings are overwhelmingly defeated, while the blessed One is refreshed and affirmed.
David records statements made between two persons, described using the Hebrew terms YHWH and Adonai. These are promises made by God the Father to the Messiah. Adonai is guaranteed total victory over the earth as well as an unending priesthood. These references point to someone who is both king and priest: Jesus Christ, a descendant of David.
