Psalms 110:1 (ESV)
A PSALM OF DAVID.
The LORD says to my Lord:
“Sit at my right hand,
until I make your enemies your footstool.”
The above line and much of Psalm 110 is one of the most quoted psalms of the New Testament. The above line itself is quoted in the Gospels, in Acts and many times in Hebrews. The psalm, as stated in the heading, is written by David. It is Messiah oriented. The song, prayer or poem is about the future coming of the Messiah. David is writing in the past about an event in the future. But David is writing about someone greater than himself. When it says the LORD (capitalized) this is the Hebrew word Yahweh (God the Father). The second Lord (not capitalized) is the Hebrew word Adonai (the Son). David is being instructed, by God, that there is going to be coming someone greater than he is. The LORD (God) said to “my” Lord, “Sit at my hand; until I make your enemies my footstool.” Who is the my Lord he is speaking of? Someone is David’s Lord, who is also not Yahweh. David is referring to Jesus, the coming Messiah, God’s Son. This is a prophetic word that declares the Messiah is going to come and is both greater than David (which is why he calls him Lord) and greater than all, because all will be placed at his footstool. Jesus is coming, by the command of Yahweh, and will be king, even over the likes of David. Notice how Jesus uses this verse before the religious leaders to prove His deity:
Matthew 22:41-46 (ESV)
Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question, saying, “What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?” They said to him, “The son of David.” He said to them, “How is it then that David, in the Spirit, calls him Lord, saying,
“‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at my right hand,
until I put your enemies under your feet”’?
If then David calls him Lord, how is he his son?” And no one was able to answer him a word, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions.
Jesus was trying to show them His pre-existence and His divine authority. Since David calls Him Lord, He must have already been in existence. We have, in this one verse, so much. But two things are true:
1. Jesus was the pre-existent One. He has no beginning. His birth as a baby was only the beginning of His earthly life. But He was Lord, even to ancient David.
2. Jesus is the conquering one. All mankind will be at His footstool. No one is above Him. All are below Him.
These two truths allow us and empower us to live our Christian life. Because He is the pre-existent one, we have a salvation based upon the God of the universe. We ought not doubt His ability to save us. The second truth is that because of His power, He can subdue all enemies and save us from sin and Satan. We can rejoice that He is Lord of Lords.
No comments:
Post a Comment