Short answer: Psalm 110 is the most quoted psalm in the New Testament. It is a messianic psalm that describes the exaltation of David's Lord to the right hand of God. The psalm declares that the Lord will send forth the scepter of his might from Zion and that the people will be willing on the day of his power. It also declares that the Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: 'You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.'
The setting of the psalm
Psalm 110 is the most quoted psalm in the New Testament. It begins with a declaration from God to David's Lord: 'Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.' This verse is quoted by Jesus, Peter, Paul, and the author of Hebrews to affirm the messianic identity and exaltation of Christ.
The psalm declares that the Lord will send forth from Zion the scepter of your might. Rule in the midst of your enemies! The Messiah's rule is established even while enemies still exist. His people will be willing on the day of his power, arrayed in holy splendor. The imagery is of a victorious king leading his willing army.
The psalm contains a mysterious declaration: 'You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.' Melchizedek was the priest-king of Salem who blessed Abraham (Genesis 14). The combination of king and priest in one person was unique — the Davidic kings were not priests. This verse points to a priesthood that transcends the Levitical order.
The psalm ends with the victory of the Messiah. The Lord is at his right hand and will shatter kings on the day of his wrath. He will judge among the nations and fill them with corpses. He will drink from the brook by the way and lift up his head. The language is of complete and final victory.
For Christians, this psalm is central to understanding who Jesus is. Jesus himself quoted verse 1 to challenge the Pharisees about the Messiah's identity (Matthew 22:41-45). The author of Hebrews develops the theme of Christ as a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek (Hebrews 5-7). The psalm points to Christ's exaltation, his priestly ministry, and his final victory.
Yahweh says to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool for your feet.” Yahweh will send out the rod of your strength out of Zion. Rule among your enemies. Your people offer themselves willingly in the day of your power, in holy array. Out of the womb of the morning, you have the dew of your youth.
Psalm 110:1-3 (World English Bible)
Key words and their meaning
The Hebrew word for 'oracle' or 'declaration' (ne'um) in verse 1 introduces a divine speech. The psalm is a prophetic oracle, a word from God about the Messiah.
The word 'footstool' (hadom) in verse 1 describes complete subjugation. Making enemies a footstool means total victory. The image of the footstool appears elsewhere in Scripture for God's complete sovereignty.
The name 'Melchizedek' (Malki-Tzedek) in verse 4 means 'king of righteousness.' He was the priest-king of Salem who blessed Abraham. The order of Melchizedek is a priesthood that predates and transcends the Levitical order.
Yahweh has sworn, and will not change his mind: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.” The Lord is at your right hand. He will crush kings in the day of his wrath. He will judge among the nations. He will heap up dead bodies. He will crush the ruler of the whole earth. He will drink of the brook on the way; therefore he will lift up his head.
Psalm 110:4-7 (World English Bible)
What the psalm claims
First, the Messiah is exalted to the right hand of God. The opening verse declares the exaltation of David's Lord to the position of highest honor.
Second, the Messiah is both King and Priest. The combination of royal and priestly roles in one person is unique and points to a greater priesthood.
Third, the Messiah's victory is certain. The psalm ends with the assurance that the Messiah will triumph over all his enemies.
Yahweh says to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool for your feet.” Yahweh will send out the rod of your strength out of Zion. Rule among your enemies. Your people offer themselves willingly in the day of your power, in holy array. Out of the womb of the morning, you have the dew of your youth.
Psalm 110:1-3 (World English Bible)
Where readers disagree
The identity of 'my Lord' in verse 1 has been extensively discussed. Jesus interpreted it as referring to the Messiah. Some modern interpreters have suggested it refers to a contemporary king, but the New Testament understanding has been the dominant view in Christian interpretation.
The meaning of 'the order of Melchizedek' has been discussed. Melchizedek appears in Genesis 14 as a priest-king. The author of Hebrews develops the significance of this priesthood extensively, arguing that it is superior to the Levitical priesthood.
The interpretation of the battle imagery in verses 5-7 has been discussed. Some see it as describing the Messiah's final victory, while others interpret it as the ongoing establishment of his rule through the spread of the gospel.
Yahweh has sworn, and will not change his mind: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.” The Lord is at your right hand. He will crush kings in the day of his wrath. He will judge among the nations. He will heap up dead bodies. He will crush the ruler of the whole earth. He will drink of the brook on the way; therefore he will lift up his head.
Psalm 110:4-7 (World English Bible)
How this psalm connects to the gospel
The themes of Psalm 110 find their ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The New Testament frequently draws on the Psalms to explain who Jesus is and what he accomplished. The psalm's language of deliverance, kingship, and steadfast love all point toward the gospel.
In Jesus, believers see the perfect fulfillment of everything this psalm celebrates. The deliverance the psalmist experienced was a foreshadowing of the greater deliverance Christ would accomplish. The kingship celebrated in the psalm points to Christ's eternal reign. The steadfast love described in the psalm is fully revealed in Jesus's sacrificial death and resurrection.
For Christians, reading this psalm is an opportunity to see God's faithfulness across the entire biblical story. The same God who heard the psalmist's cry also hears the prayers of his people today. The same deliverance finds its ultimate expression in the salvation Christ offers. The psalm invites believers to trust in this faithful God and to make his praise known to all generations.
The New Testament writers understood the Psalms as a prophetic witness to Christ. Jesus himself told his disciples that everything written about him in the Psalms must be fulfilled (Luke 24:44). When the apostles preached about Jesus, they regularly quoted the Psalms to demonstrate that his suffering, death, resurrection, and exaltation were all part of God's redemptive plan.
Psalm 110 participates in this prophetic witness. Whether through its language of kingship, its descriptions of suffering and deliverance, or its celebration of God's steadfast love, this psalm contributes to the biblical portrait of the Messiah. Reading it in light of Christ does not diminish its original meaning but reveals its deepest significance.
Yahweh says to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool for your feet.” Yahweh will send out the rod of your strength out of Zion. Rule among your enemies. Your people offer themselves willingly in the day of your power, in holy array. Out of the womb of the morning, you have the dew of your youth.
Psalm 110:1-3 (World English Bible)
Biblical fidelity check
Psalm 110 is theologically sound and consistent with the broader biblical witness. Its themes of God's steadfast love, faithfulness, and righteousness are central to biblical theology. The psalm contributes to the Psalter's comprehensive portrait of God's relationship with his people. While each psalm reflects its original historical context, its truths are enduring and applicable to believers today. The New Testament affirms and deepens the themes found in this psalm, particularly through the person and work of Jesus Christ.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main message of Psalm 110?
The main message of Psalm 110 is the lord says to my lord. The psalm teaches that God is worthy of trust and praise. It calls believers to respond to God's character with faith, obedience, and worship.
How does Psalm 110 point to Christ?
Psalm 110, like all Scripture, ultimately points to Jesus Christ. The themes of God's deliverance, steadfast love, and kingship find their fullest expression in Christ. The New Testament frequently quotes the Psalms to explain Christ's person and work. As Jesus himself said, the Scriptures bear witness to him (John 5:39).
How does Psalm 110 apply to Christians today?
Psalm 110 applies to believers today by providing language for prayer, praise, and lament. It teaches about God's character and how believers should respond to him. The psalm's truths are timeless, addressing the universal human experiences of joy, suffering, hope, and trust.
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