Psalms 110 - Printer Friendly

This important passage helps ground New Testament claims about Jesus and the Trinity. David, the psalmist, uses two Hebrew terms which are sometimes muddled in English. One is YHWH, or Yahweh, which is a name God used for Himself (Exodus 3:15). The other word is Adonai, which can simply mean "lord," but is often used as a reverent term for God. Most translations render YHWH as "Lord," using small caps, and Adonai as "Lord" in normal font.

The first verse of this psalm (Psalm 110:1) is quoted numerous times in the New Testament (Matthew 22:44; Mark 12:36; Luke 20:42–43; Acts 2:34–35; Hebrews 1:13). The fourth verse (Psalm 110:4) is repeatedly referenced in the book of Hebrews while explaining that Jesus is God the Son, the promised Messiah (Hebrews 5:6; 6:20; 7:17, 21). As such, this is considered the New Testament's most-often cited psalm.

David writes of something spoken between two "Lords." One is named as YHWH, or Yahweh (Exodus 3:15). The other is referred to as Adonai, but specifically as David's Adonai, or David's "Lord." This second figure is to be sent out from Zion—a reference to Jerusalem, the capital of Israel—to rule the entire world as King (Psalm 110:1–3).

This same Adonai is also identified as a priest. In the old covenant, priests and kings were of two separate tribes. But this Lord is connected to the priesthood of Melchizedek (Genesis 14:18–20). Melchizedek was a mysterious figure who interacted with Abraham when his name was still "Abram." This combined role of king and priest would eventually be fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ (Psalm 110:4).

Beyond priesthood and a throne, this promised "Lord" will overwhelmingly defeat His enemies (Revelation 19:11–15). This will bring divine judgment to the entire world. Yet this figure will remain refreshed and affirmed. This looks to the end times, when Jesus will fulfill these promises and rule the entire world (Revelation 20:4) for a thousand years (Psalm 110:5–7).

Psalm 110:1–3 involves three separate persons. One is David, the psalmist. Another is YHWH, who is God the Father (Exodus 3:15). The third is someone David refers to as his own "Adonai," or "Lord." This statement is noted repeatedly in the New Testament to support Jesus' claims that He is both God and Messiah (Matthew 22:44; Acts 2:34–35; Hebrews 1:13). God the Father promises to grant God the Son victory and unrivaled rule over the world.

Psalm 110:4 is another important statement helping to identify Jesus as the promised Messiah. David hears statements made from YHWH (Exodus 3:15) to someone else, whom David still considers his "Lord" (Psalm 110:1). To this person, God the Father proclaims a never-ending priesthood compared to that of Melchizedek (Genesis 14:18–20). That makes the "Adonai" of this passage both a king and a priest. The book of Hebrews (Hebrews 5:6; 6:20; 7:17, 21) expands on what this implies about Jesus' role as Messiah.

This is the most-often cited psalm in the New Testament. Psalm 110:1 is quoted in Matthew 22:44, Mark 12:36, Luke 20:42–43, Acts 2:34–35, and Hebrews 1:13. The book of Hebrews extensively comments on the meaning of Psalm 110:4. Many other verses refer to subjects touched on in the psalm. David hears YHWH speaking to someone David identifies as his "Lord." This helps to ground important concepts such as the Trinity and Jesus' role as Messiah.

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.