Commenting on Psalms that celebrate the installment and victory of God’s chosen king, NT. Wright calls Psalm 110 “short and startling.” (Wright, The Case for the Psalms, p, 44.) He further comments:
He further comments, “We have seen God incarnate rise from his three days’ sleep to be enthroned as judge of the world. Yet we still await the final fulfillment of Psalms 2, 8, and 110—psalms that both Paul and Hebrews used to express their view of Jesus in the present and their hope for his future coming as judge.”
Wright, p. 74
David probably composes his royal prophecy to be sung by cultic functionaries at the coronation ceremony of his heirs, hoping that in the end of salvation history a final successor of his would fulfill and consummate his prophecy. He is probably unaware, however, that his language is a type of the spiritual reality that his eternal son introduced into salvation history. David’s royal prophecy of Psalm 16:11 envisions his uncorrupted body at God’s right hand forevermore. Psalm 110 adds to that vision the prophecy that his transcendent son, as a type of David redivivus, ascends to his throne of judgment and eliminates his self- serving enemies (Matt. 25:31ff). His hope is not put to shame.
Walke, Houston, Moore, The Psalms as Christian Worship. p. 518
Concerning the church’s faith in the resurrection of their Lord, G. K. Chesterton wrote:
A real Christian who believes should do two things: dance, out of sheer delight; and fight, out of the sense of victory.
Chesterton, from a footnote on p. 506 The Psalms as Christian Worship.
The LORD said to my Lord, ‘Sit at My right hand…’” In all the Psalter, is there a line more precious and beloved than this? No other line of the Psalter enjoys, in the New Testament, a prominence equal to these opening word of Psalms 110.
Reardon, Christ in the Psalms, p. 217
Let the praying of this psalm be a proof of a total commitment to the unique grandeur of Christ.
Jaki, Praying the Psalms, p. 196
About Psalm 110:2-3:
Jesus is ruling from his throne in order to extend his kingdom throughout the whole world through the witness of his followers.
(Boice,Psalms, Volume 3, p. 896)
The question and answer on the Day of Questions, taking place as it did only shortly before his death and resurrection. must have meant a great deal to the New Testament writers, for Psalm 110 is quoted or alluded to more often than any other Old Testament passage in the New Testament. Peter quoted the first verse of it at the close of the very first Christian sermon (Acts 2:34-35), and the many references to Jesus being at the right hand of God seem to show its influence.
Grogan, Prayer, Praise, and Prophecy, p. 264
Questions for reflection:
1. How is the coronavirus pandemic impacting your experience of Jesus as your Lord, your Master, the One you submit to and serve?
2. What is your current awareness of and experience of Jesus as your High Priest? (See Heb. 4:14-16)
3. What impact is the current crisis having, or could it have, on your longing for Christ’s final eternal kingdom rule?
4. Meditate on Colossians 3:1-4:
Since then you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above and not on earthly things. For you died and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
What words or phrases stand out to you? Pray about the them, talking with God and listening. Ask for grace to comprehend your union with Christ.