Psalms 110 - Introduction

A.M. 2962. B.C. 1042.

It is universally agreed that this Psalm was composed by David; and it seems to be almost as universally agreed that he speaks not of himself at all in it, but directly of the Messiah. This is the more remarkable, because in most, if not all the other Psalms, where he prophesies of Christ, there is an obvious meaning, if not throughout the Psalm, yet in several parts of it, which relates to some particular occasion, some passage or other, in David' s history; and those Psalms are to be understood of Christ in a secondary sense, though not less evident, and sometimes more so than the first. But this Psalm is wholly to be understood of Christ only; as is abundantly evident, both from the express testimony of the New Testament, Acts 2:34; 1 Corinthians 15:25; Hebrews 1:13; Hebrews 10:13; and from the consent of the ancient Hebrew doctors. Indeed, that the ancient Jews understood this Psalm thus, and that it was the known and received sense of it in our Saviour's time, appears from what passed between him and the Pharisees, Matthew 22:42, &c. We may, therefore, be fully persuaded with Bishop Patrick, that “this Psalm is a very plain prediction of Christ's divinity, his royal dignity, his priesthood, and his victories and triumphs,” all which the psalmist sets forth with great clearness and sublimity of thought and expression. “Indeed, if we consider this Psalm,” says a judicious writer, “as every one should, not only as a prophecy, but a pathetic poem, we cannot fail of being charmed, as much with the elegance of the composition, as we are satisfied with the truth of the predictions which it contains. Psalms 110:1, Our Lord is seated at the right hand of God, as a place of the greatest dignity that can be conceived; as the partner of his throne and power. Psalms 110:2, He is invested with his authority, by having the sceptre of his power, and a universal and supreme command, even over his enemies, delivered to him. In consequence of this, Psalms 110:3, he receives the homage of his subjects, the free-will-offerings of his faithful people, who are as numerous as the drops of the morning dew which overspread the earth. Psalms 110:4, The sacerdotal is added to the regal office. Psalms 110:5, The psalmist returns to describe the exercise of his supreme and sovereign authority. Psalms 110:7, He gives a reason why he was exalted to so much honour, namely, as a reward for that most astonishing act of his humiliation, which is expressed very poetically by his drinking of the brook in the way.”