Psalm 110, The Messiah & His People

Introduction

Ask me turning your Bibles to the book of Psalms and the 110th Psalm in particular this morning. The 110th Psalm. There are, of course, three Psalms which we read in our weekly Bible reading this week. And while each one has significance, as you read Psalm 110, you are no doubt impressed with just how significant this Psalm is, not only to the Old Testament, but to our faith in Christ and what is revealed about him even in the New Testament. I’d like to begin, though, by referencing what we think may be the historical background of this psalm. In 2 Samuel chapter 10, we have David’s defeat of Ammon as well as the Arameans. Perhaps David’s greatest war, the one that was most protracted, and yet he is successful.

And so the Lord has established him firmly in his kingdom, and he is successful in going out and defeating his enemies. But you would also know, even by saying 2 Samuel chapter 10, you recognize what happens in 2 Samuel chapter 11. That’s in 2 Samuel chapter 11 with David’s sin with Bathsheba. And it is thought that perhaps in this kind of setting, David pins Psalm 110. The idea of Psalm 110 being that while David has risen to these lofty heights by the power of God, and yet David also recognizes just how much he needs God. And then with Psalm 110, the recognition that there is one who is greater than David seated on the throne, and that that one seated on the throne is in fact David’s high priest, the one who can make atonement for David.

And so we’re not for sure that that is where in David’s life that that psalm is pinned, but if it is, how significant it is. David recognizing one greater than him, recognizing him also as his priest. And so we read in Psalm 110 and beginning in verse 1. The Lord says to my Lord, sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet. The Lord will stretch forth your strong scepter from Zion, saying, Rule in the midst of your enemies. Your people will volunteer freely in the day of your power and wholly array from the womb of the dawn, your youth are to you as the dew. The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind. You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.

The Lord is at your right hand. He will shatter kings in the day of his wrath. He will judge among the nations, he will fill them with corpses, he will shatter the chief men over a broad country, he will drink from the brook by the wayside. Therefore, he will lift up his head. Again, just to make note at the onset, of how significant this psalm is even in the New Testament. This Psalm, I would think, and I apologize, I didn’t do the research, but I believe it’s the most quoted psalm in the New Testament, and Bob may know that. But if you just look at it, you see how many times this psalm appears in highly significant ways in the New Testament. Just a name for.

This Psalm to emphasize the fact that not only is he the son of David, but he is greater than David. He says in Mark chapter 12 and verse 35, how is it the scribes say of the Christ is the son of David? David himself said in the Holy Spirit, the Lord said to my Lord, sit at my right hand until I put your enemies beneath your feet. David himself calls him Lord. So in what sense is he his son? Jesus uses this passage to emphasize the fact that he is greater than David. Of course, you recognize on the day of Pentecost in Peter’s sermon that’s recorded there in Acts chapter 2. That Peter uses this psalm to emphasize the fact that, yes, Jesus is now risen, and he has ascended to sit at the right hand of God.

In Acts chapter 2 and verses 34 and 35. For it was not David who ascended into heaven, but he himself says, The Lord said to my Lord, sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet. Therefore, let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified. And of course, this Psalm is also used to emphasize his power. Jesus does use this before his accusers in Mark the 14th chapter in verse 62 by saying that he would appear, he would return, they would see him coming at the right hand of God. Paul records in Ephesians chapter 1 and verses 20 through 22, 20 through 22, that Jesus is now seated at the right hand of God, and he does, in fact, rule over all things.

1. The Messiah Rules

And of course, the Hebrew writer in Hebrews 5 through 7 makes extensive use of this passage, emphasizing the eternal nature of Jesus’ high priesthood. And so that’s how significant this psalm is. But returning to the Psalm itself, let’s just emphasize some things that the Psalm says. Because this Psalm not only speaks about the Messiah, the Psalm also speaks about the Messiah’s people. Let’s first of all emphasize what the Psalm says about the Messiah. First, of course, is that the Messiah rules. Again, verses 1 and 2. The Lord said to my Lord, sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet. The Lord will stretch forth your scepter from Zion, saying, Rule in the midst of your enemies. This notion of Jesus sitting at the right hand of God emphasizes his very power.

This is not the only place in the Old Testament where we read about the one who would come and sit at the right hand of God. Daniel and his prophecy in Daniel chapter 7 and verses 13 and 14, the vision that’s been revealed to Daniel, he says, I kept looking in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven, one like a son of man was coming. And he came up to the ancient of days and was presented before him, and to him was given dominion, glory, and a kingdom, that all the peoples, nations, and men of every language might serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion which will not pass away, and his kingdom is one which will not be destroyed. And then, of course, the Hebrew, I’m sorry, Paul in the book of Ephesians using this to indicate that yes, Jesus is now seated at the right hand of God and does, in fact, reign forever.

Other place in the New Testament emphasize the fact that now that Jesus is at the right hand of God, emphasize not only is he greater than David, but he’s even greater than the angels. Hebrews chapter 1 and verse 3. To which of the angels did the Lord or did God ever say this to? He did not say this to any of the angels, but only to his son. It emphasizes not only that, that while he is exalted by God, he is despised by mankind. Think of that. The one who had now seated at the right hand of God was in fact despised by man. And so the apostles use this in Acts 5 and verses 30 and 31. The God of our fathers, Jesus, raised up Jesus, whom you had put to death by hanging him on a cross.

He is the one whom God exalted to his right hand as a prince and a savior. He will continue to reign. Paul makes note of this in 1 Corinthians 15. That he is now seated at the right hand of God, and he’ll remain there until the last enemy is to be defeated in 1 Corinthians 15, 25 and 26. Then, of course, the last enemy being that of death. He sits at the right hand of God. And verse 2 simply emphasizes the fact that that position at the right hand of God means that he rules by the power of God. The Lord will stretch forth your strong scepter from Zion, saying, Rule in the midst of your enemies. His power is that power of God. He sits at his right hand, and so he exercises the authority and the power of God.

2. He Is Priest Forever After the Order of Melchizedek

This is the one who is to come and to rule. To rule not just Israel, but again, as Daniel revealed there in Daniel 7, verses 13 and 14, this kingdom being of all peoples and nations and tongues. But then again, it also emphasizes that he is priest. Verse 4. We’ll skip verse 3 for now. The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind. You are priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek. Again, we’ve stated that the book of Hebrews focuses on this passage, this verse in particular, in chapters 5 through 7. Let’s just note a couple of significant things that the Hebrew writer points out about this prophecy. First of all, he says, the Lord has sworn. By whose will is Jesus now high priest.

It is not the physical genealogy of Levi or of Aaron. It is not the fact that God had made a covenant even with Israel in the Old Testament. But the very fact that the Lord has sworn. In Hebrews the seventh chapter, we read in verses 20 through 22. Again, the Hebrew writer emphasizing how great the high priesthood of Jesus is. And it says, and inasmuch as it was not without an oath, for they indeed became priests without an oath. Those of the Old Testament, Aaron and his sons, became priests. Yes, by the will of God, by the very command of God, but never by the oath of God. Never did he swear. But with an oath through the one who said to him, The Lord has sworn, and will not change his mind, you are a priest forever.

So much the more that Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant. But not only that, again, he is a priest, not just for a temporary time. He is not a priest for a few years until he was to die. But the prophecy says he is a priest forever. Again, in Hebrews chapter 7 and verses 23 through 25, the former priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing. But Jesus, on the other hand, because he continues forever, holds his priesthood permanently. Therefore, he’s also able to save forever those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. Of course, the Hebrew writer will also make mention and establish the fact that Jesus is the very sacrifice, but he is the priest who administers that sacrifice.

He is the one who comes before God when this sacrifice is making intercession for us. Not just for a short time. Not until his days were done on this earth, but in fact, forever.

You are a priest forever. And you are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. Psalm 110 and verse 4 emphasizes. Of course, we are introduced to Melchizedek in Genesis the 14th chapter in verses 18 through 20. Abraham returning from his victory, securing the freedom of Lot and those who have been taken from Sodom and Gomorrah. He has returned victorious by the will of God. And the king of Salem, Melchizedek, comes to him. Again, the Hebrew writer mentions this and establishes some things that are very important for us to realize what it means to say that Jesus is a priest after the order of Melchizedek. Read with me in Hebrews 7, and we’ll read the first ten verses. We’ll let the Hebrew writer make the points for us.

For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham as he was returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, to whom also Abraham a portion, a tenth part of all the spoils, was first of all by the translation of his name, King of righteousness, and then also King of Salem, which is King of peace. The Hebrew writer is making mention that this priest, Melchizedek, wasn’t only a priest unto God, but was in fact king as well. He was king of Salem, that is the king of peace, and his very name is translated into the king of righteousness. He is the king of peace, he is the king of righteousness, and he is the priest unto the Most High God.

And it was to him that the Hebrew writer makes sure that we understand that Abraham gave a tithe. He gave a tenth of all.

Was he never born? Did he never die? That does not seem to be the indication. The idea that we don’t know of anything regarding Melchizedek’s life, except for that brief entrance into the biblical record. So what’s the point? His priesthood never ended. Aaron’s priesthood ended, because Aaron died. But we don’t know about Melchizedek. The point of Jesus after the order of Melchizedek is his priesthood will never end. Now observe, verse 4, how great this man was to whom Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth of the choice of spoils. And those indeed of the sons of Levi who received the priest’s office have commandment in the law to collect a tenth from the people, that is from their brethren, although they are descended from Abraham. But the one whose genealogy is not traced from them, collected a tenth from Abraham, and blessed the one who had the promises.

Without any dispute, the lesser is blessed by the greater. In this case, mortal men receive tithes, but in that case, one receives them, of whom it is witness that he lives on. And so to speak, through Abraham, even Levi, who received tithes, paid tithes. For he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him. What’s that passage saying? It is simply emphasizing how much greater Melchizedek was than Abraham. You go back to the biblical record of Genesis chapter 14, it is Melchizedek who blesses Abraham. It is the greater who blesses the lesser. Melchazedek blessed Abraham. But not only that, Abraham paid tithe to Melchizedek. Under the law, the people were to bring a tithe to the tribe of Levi, to the priesthood. But the Hebrew writer is making point that even Levi, in a sense, through his great grandfather Abraham, paid a tithe to Melchizedek.

The point of the Hebrew writer is just this.

He is a high priest who lives forever. He is a high priest who is even greater than our father Abraham. If you’re being tempted, the Hebrew writer could say to these Hebrew Christians, if you’re being tempted to go back to Moses, if you’re being tempted to go back to the law, to go back to that sacrificial system, to go back to these priests, the Aaronic priesthood under the law of Moses, well, think what you’re leaving. You’re leaving the one who’s the priest after the order of Melchizedek. The one who is greater than Abraham. The one who even blessed Abraham. He is a priest forever by the declaration of the Lord, by the oath of the Lord. But then going back to Psalm 110, the Psalm establishes his rule in verses 1 and 2.

3. His Conquests

The Psalm establishes his priesthood in verse 4. And it also establishes and emphasizes his conquests in verses 5 through 7. Again, the significant point being in verse 5 that he conquers by and with the power of God. The Lord is at your right hand. He will shatter kings in the day of his wrath. He will judge among the nations. He will fill them with corpses. He will shatter the chief men over a broad country. He will drink from the brook by the wayside, therefore he will lift up his head. Just a note on verse 7. That seems odd. It wasn’t mean he will he will drink by the brook of the wayside. The idea seems to be even that of what you read in the Judges, as Gideon is pursuing the enemies of God.

And there is a rest, a pause to regather strength as the conquest continues. That seems to be the idea here, that he is on his way to conquer, to defeat all God’s enemies and the enemies of God’s people. And yes, he may pause by the brook and refresh himself, but only so that he can continue the contest. His head is still lifted up and is still looking forward. He is still going out to conquer and to defeat the foes of God and God’s people. One commentator says that it’s here in the Psalm that we move from Hebrews to Revelation. Hebrews emphasizing the priesthood of Jesus, revelation, emphasizing his awesome nature and the fact that he will defeat all. All of God’s enemies will be laid waste when he comes.

All of God’s enemies will be defeated. And so he conquers. He conquers utterly. He will judge among the nations. He will fill them with corpses. He will shatter the chief men over a broad country. The Messiah of Psalm 110 is the Messiah who rules over all. But is also the Messiah who can have compassion for the people which he rules over because he is also their high priest. He is the one making intercession for them. He is the one going before God with their sins. And he is the one that his people can have confidence in, knowing that yes, because he rules and he goes out and is victorious. He goes out and defeats and conquers. They can trust him. And so we come now to verse 3.

4. The Messiah’s People

Because not only is the Messiah described in this passage, but the Messiah’s people are described in this passage. And three things are emphasized in this passage about Messiah’s people. Your people, it says in verse 3, will volunteer freely in the days of your power. In holy array from the womb of the dawn, your youth are to you as the dew.

What’s the point? It’s the same. Your people, in recognizing the majesty of your rule, they give themselves to you freely. They are not conscripted. They are not drafted into service. They are those who give themselves freely. You can imagine David, and again, by inspiration pinning this, but as he recognizes he himself as the head of Israel. And yes, may even be needing to draft, to conscript troops from time to time, to go out and to conquer. But not so with the Lord, who is seated at the right hand of God. His people give themselves freely. They offer themselves. They say, We recognize who you are. We recognize your power and your position of authority. And so we give ourselves to you freely and completely.

Because his people, the Messiah’s people, they give themselves freely. They give themselves as that free will offering. They recognize you rule over us, God. We are here at your command. We are here at your service. You give the orders, we will march. Then it describes their attire, if you will. It says, in holy array. That phrase being used in the scriptures to speak of how even the priests were arrayed in their service to God. And perhaps here again, as we recognize that the king is not only king, but he is also high priest, it would fit that those of his people who serve him, who follow him, that they would be priests themselves. And what do we know of priests? That priests are to live in the service of their God.

That priests were to be holy and pure in the eyes of God, that they were not to come before God defiled. How could we come before our Lord? The one who sits at the very right hand of God and say, Yes, we give ourselves freely to you, God, but let us be in mess in the corruption of this world. Not Messiah’s people. No, those who give themselves freely to God, they’re in holy attire. They’re in holy array. They have come before him pure. And of course, we recognize as he is being our high priest, he is the one who allows us to be pure. He is the one who cleanses us of our sins, but do not mistake the fact that it is now our mission to remain pure in him.

To lead the things of this world, to be holy in his eyes, so that we can be of service to him. Then the final point about Messiah’s people, from the womb of the dawn, your youth are to you as the dew. Living in Florida, comes summertime. You go out any morning you want, and the dew is thick and heavy. For us, it may not be the most refreshing thing because you also walk outside, it’s already about 90 degrees, and it’s humid. But the dew serves a purpose. It refreshes, it replenishes. It could be a very refreshing thing. And the passage here says, from the womb of the dawn. I think we could just say from the early morning. Your people are as the dew. Your people are refreshing.

Now it does not say who is refreshing to. I believe it’s referencing that they’re refreshing to. Yes, it does. I’m sorry. Your youth are to you as the dew. So we would be refreshing even to our God. That here are his people. Here are the ones who have submitted themselves to him. Here are the ones who will go at his call. Here are the ones arrayed in holy attire, and they are to him as the dew. But perhaps also a secondary application of being, we are that which refreshes the earth in which we live.

Conclusion

To refresh, to replenish, to be his blessings, even to those who are living around us. And again, I go back and think of David, perhaps at this time at the height of his power, but also in the depths of his soul, longing for the forgiveness of God, recognizing how greatly he had sinned. And recognizing in this psalm that it is the one who will sit at the right hand of God, that’s his Lord. That this one would even be high priest forever and will conquer and conquer utterly. And so now he longs, even, maybe in a penitent manner, that he would be a free will offering to his God. That he would be arrayed in holy attire. That he would be to God and to his Lord as the dew of the earth.

And that’s your invitation. Jesus sits at the right hand of God. He is now high priest forever. And he has been sworn by the Lord. He has conquered and he will conquer and will continue to conquer until that last enemy is put under. Now may we be to him as a free will offering. May we be to him arrayed in holy attire. May we be that dew of the morning. Would you like to be a part of his kingdom? To live under the rule, the faithful rule of the Messiah, to be a free will offering to him, then give yourself to him. Allow him to make you holy, that you can be in that holy attire. Repent of your wrongs. Believe in him as the very Son of God.

Again, the New Testament is filled with it. That this is the Messiah. Jesus is the one that David is writing about in Psalm 110. He is now your Lord. Believe in him as Jesus, as the Christ, as the very Son of God. Be baptized to have your sins forgiven. And you would be arrayed before him in holy attire. Can we aid you in some way? Then won’t you come as we stand and sing this song?