Psalms Chapter 110

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns 7 Verses

What is Psalms 110 about?

One hundred fifty inspired poems and hymns — Israel's prayer book, spanning lament and praise, confession and trust. The complete chapter text below provides the immediate literary context for study.

Text — American Standard Version (1901)

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. For original Hebrew/Greek interlinear text, open in BibleWord.ai.
1Jehovah saith unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, Until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
2Jehovah will send forth the rod of thy strength out of Zion: Rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.
3Thy people offer themselves willingly In the day of thy power, in holy array: Out of the womb of the morning Thou hast the dew of thy youth.
4Jehovah hath sworn, and will not repent: Thou art a priest for ever After the order of Melchizedek.
5The Lord at thy right hand Will strike through kings in the day of his wrath.
6He will judge among the nations, He will fill [the places] with dead bodies; He will strike through the head in many countries.
7He will drink of the brook in the way: Therefore will he lift up the head. Psalm 111

What do historical commentaries say about this chapter?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · on verse 1
“The Lord said unto my Lord, etc.] The Targum is, ''the Lord said in his Word.” Galatinus f1571 says the true Targum of Jonathan has it, “the Lord said to his Word;” and produces an authority for it. These are the words of Jehovah the Father to his Son the Messiah; the “Adon”, or Lord, spoken of in (<230601>Isaiah 6:1 <390301> Malachi 3:1), the one Lord Jesus, and only Potentate; the Lord of all, the Lord of David, and of every believer; not by right of creation only, as of all mankind; but by redemption, having bought them; and by right of marriage, having espoused them; and by their own consent, they owning him…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“This Psalm may be regarded as an exposition of Psa 111:10, presenting the happiness of those who fear and obey God, and contrasting the fate of the ungodly. (Psa 112:1-10) True fear produces obedience and this happiness.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“The Lord said unto my Lord - In the Hebrew, “Spake Jehovah to my Lord.” The word יהוה Yahweh is the incommunicable name of God. It is never given to a created being. The other word translated “Lord - אדני 'Adonāy - means one who has rule or authority; one of high rank; one who has dominion; one who is the owner or possessor, etc. This word is applied frequently to a creature. It is applied to kings, princes, rulers, masters. The phrase “my Lord” refers to someone who was superior in rank to the author of the psalm; one whom he could address as his superior. The psalm, therefore, cannot refer to David himself, as…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · on verse 1
“The Lord - God the father. Said - Decreed it from eternity, and in due time published this decree, and actually executed it; which he did when he raised up Christ from the dead, and brought him into his heavenly mansion. Unto - Unto his son the Messiah, whom David designedly calls his Lord, to admonish the whole church, that although he was his son according to his human nature, yet he had an higher nature, and was also his Lord, as being God blessed for ever, and consequently Lord of all things. The Hebrew word Adon is one of God's titles, signifying his power and authority over all things, and therefore is most…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · on verse 1
“Ps 110 Jesus and the apostles cite this psalm to explain Jesus’ unique ministry and status as the Messiah (Matt 22:43-45; Acts 2:32-36). It reaffirms God’s covenant with David and gives hope for the future (see 2 Sam 7:8-16). 110:1 The king of Israel had the great privilege of being the Lord’s adopted son (Ps 2; 1 Chr 22:10), but he fell (Ps 89). This decree restores and heightens his position. • The Lord: Hebrew Yahweh, the name of God (see Exod 3:6-14; 6:2-8; 20:2). • my Lord (Hebrew ’adoni) means “my master” or “my superior.” The psalmist viewed God’s messianic ruler as his superior. The New Testament…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · on verse 1
“am 2962, bc 1042 (Title), This Psalm was probably composed by David after Nathan's prophetic address; and, from the grandeur of the subject and the sublimity of the expressions, it is evident that it can only refer, as the ancient Jews fully acknowledged, to the royal dignity, priesthood, victories, and triumphs of the MESSIAH. The Lord: Psa 8:1; Mat 22:42-46; Mar 12:35-37; Luk 22:41 Sit: Mar 16:19; Act 2:34; Eph 1:20-22; Heb 12:2; Pe1 3:22 until: Psa 2:6-9, Psa 45:6, Psa 45:7; Co1 15:25; Heb 1:3, Heb 1:13, Heb 10:12, Heb 10:13 Psalms 110:2”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · on verse 1
“In Psa 20:1-9 and Psa 21:1-13 we see at once in the openings that what we have before us is the language of the people concerning their king. Here לאדני in Psa 110:1 does not favour this, and נאם is decidedly against it. The former does not favour it, for it is indeed correct that the subject calls his king "my lord," e.g., Sa1 22:12, although the more exact form of address is "my lord the king," e.g., Sa1 24:9; but if the people are speaking here, what is the object of the title of honour being expressed as if coming from the mouth of an individual, and why not rather, as in Ps 20-21, למלך or למשׁיחו? נאם is,…”
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