The Big Question

Psalm 110:1-3

A psalm of David.

1The LORD said to my Lord,

“Sit in honor at my right hand

until I humble your enemies,

making them a footstool under your feet.”

2The LORD will extend your powerful dominion from Jerusalem;

you will rule over your enemies.

3In that day of battle,

your people will serve you willingly.

Arrayed in holy garments,

your vigor will be renewed each day like the morning dew.

It was only a few days before Passover, and the Temple courts were bustling with people. The crowd’s attention was riveted to Jesus, who was being plied with theological questions by the Pharisees and Sadducees. The crowds were amazed at how Jesus answered each puzzling question. When the religious leaders ran out of questions, it was Jesus’ turn: “What do you think about the Messiah?” he asked. “Whose son is he?”

“David’s son,” came the quick response.

“Then why does David call him Lord?” replied Jesus. Then he quoted the first verse of Psalm 110 and silenced the scholars of his day.

As the writer of the psalm, David called his messianic descendent “my Lord,” declaring that the Messiah would be more than just a human king. A purely human king would have looked up to David as his great ancestor, but David was looking up to this coming King, honoring him in divine terms. Jesus, who was certainly aware of his own messiahship, didn’t deny that he was descended from David, but he affirmed an even greater connection with God the Father. Peter spelled out the implications in the same location less than two months later at the culmination of his Pentecost sermon (Acts 2:34-35).

But what does it mean to us? Surely, if David bowed in awe, and if the enemies will eventually be forced to bow before him, it’s the least we can do.

Look, ye saints, the sight is glorious:

See the Man of Sorrows now;

From the fight return victorious,

Every knee to him shall bow:

Crown him! Crown him! Crowns become the Victor’s brow.

THOMAS KELLY

A Word on Words

Why does this psalm use the imagery of a “footstool” (verse 1)? It was an ancient Near Eastern practice for victorious generals to place their feet on the necks of the vanquished leaders (see Joshua 10:24).

Bible Networking

No other Old Testament prophecy is quoted as frequently in the New Testament as the one in verse 1. See Matthew 22:44-45; Mark 12:36-37; Luke 20:42-44; Acts 2:34-35; Hebrews 1:13; and 10:12-13.