Psalms

Psalms 110: David's Lord rules and intercedes

Begin in prayer

Before David speaks of his Lord at God's right hand, let us consider the King whose rule we cannot escape and the Priest we need. Ask Him to bring us to Jesus and give us willing hearts beneath His reign.

even he shall build Yahweh’s temple; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule on his throne; and he shall be a priest on his throne; and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.

Zechariah 6:13

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word, and help us to see Christ. Show us that Jesus is David's Lord, the victorious King and everlasting Priest whose people serve Him willingly. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

David hears the Lord he serves invited to sit at the LORD's right hand until His enemies become His footstool. The rod of His strength goes out from Zion, and He is commanded to rule among His enemies. His people offer themselves willingly in holy array, with the freshness of youth pictured as morning dew. The LORD swears an unchanging oath that He is a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek. The Lord crushes kings in the day of His wrath. He judges among the nations, heaps up dead bodies and crushes the ruler of the whole earth. Drinking from the brook on the way, He lifts His head.

As you read Psalms 110, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD enthrones David's Lord as victorious King and everlasting Priest, whose willing people serve beneath His certain reign.

David calls the enthroned ruler his Lord, placing Him above the king whose name stands in the title. In Matthew 22 verses 43 to 45, Jesus quotes this invitation and asks how David's Son can also be David's Lord. The seat at God's right hand gives royal honour, and the footstool promises the defeat of enemies who still resist. His strong rod goes out from Zion, the place from which His rule reaches into that opposition. Willing people in holy array belong to the day of His power, with morning dew picturing the freshness of His youthful strength. God's oath adds an everlasting priesthood, bringing kingly rule and the work of representing people before God together. Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High, the two offices Genesis 14 brings together before Israel's priestly families existed. Hebrews 7 verses 21 to 25 identify Jesus as the eternal Priest who lives to intercede and save those drawing near through Him. The judgment of kings and nations ends resistance, while the brook and lifted head picture refreshment along the victorious way.

How does Psalm 110 show us that the LORD enthrones David's Lord as victorious King and everlasting Priest, whose willing people serve beneath His certain reign?

God enthrones David's Lord to rule until every enemy is beneath His feet.

David's Lord receives the place of honour at God's right hand. His strong rod goes out from Zion into the midst of enemies. Opposition remains for a time beneath the promise that God will make it His footstool.

God gives His King willing people and an everlasting priesthood.

The King's people offer themselves in holy array on the day of His power. God's oath appoints Him a priest forever in Melchizedek's order. The King who rules therefore also represents His people before God with a priesthood that will never end.

God's victorious rule brings judgment that no earthly ruler can escape.

Kings fall in the day of wrath, and the Lord's judgment reaches the nations and the ruler of the whole earth. Dead bodies show the terrible certainty of that defeat. Drinking from the brook on the way, the victorious One lifts His head.

Memorise

Yahweh has sworn, and will not change his mind: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”

Psalm 110:4

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, where am I resisting the Lord Jesus while I ask for His priestly mercy?

God swears to David's Lord, “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.” The enthroned King rules among enemies and receives a willing people. His priesthood gives guilty people a way to approach the God whose judgment no ruler can escape.

We have resisted the King's rule and deserve His wrath. Jesus offered His own life for His people at the cross, enduring their condemnation as the Priest who brings them near. The Father raised Him from the dead. His once for all sacrifice is enough for their forgiveness and acceptance, and the Priest who secured it lives forever to intercede for them.

Turn from your rebellion and trust Jesus Christ. Everyone who comes to God through Him is forgiven. Ask Him for a willing heart that answers His rule with holiness. Jesus lives forever as the Priest through whom believers approach God, and His certain victory gives His willing servants hope as they obey their King.

Parent's note

Tell your children that Jesus is David's Lord, the victorious King and everlasting Priest whose people serve Him willingly. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Praise Jesus the enthroned King and everlasting Priest, and ask for willing holiness and confidence through His finished sacrifice. Bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

even as you gave him authority over all flesh, he will give eternal life to all whom you have given him.

John 17:2

Father, thank You for enthroning Your Son and appointing Him the everlasting Priest. Please forgive our rebellion and bring us to Jesus, whose completed sacrifice answers the guilt of His people. Give our children new hearts that serve Him willingly. Help Your church approach You through His living intercession and remain faithful while we await the victory You have promised. Amen.