The Meaning of Psalms 110:1 Explained

Psalms 110:1

KJV: {A Psalm of David.} The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.

YLT: A Psalm of David. The affirmation of Jehovah to my Lord: 'Sit at My right hand, Till I make thine enemies thy footstool.'

Darby: {Psalm of David.} Jehovah said unto my Lord, Sit at my right hand, until I put thine enemies as footstool of thy feet.

ASV: Jehovah saith unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, Until I make thine enemies thy footstool.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

{{A Psalm  of David.  }} The LORD  said  unto my Lord,  Sit  thou at my right hand,  until I make  thine enemies  thy footstool. 

What does Psalms 110:1 Mean?

Study Notes

The Lord said unto my Lord
The importance of Psalms 110 is attested by the remarkable prominence given to it in the New Testament.
(1) It affirms the deity of Jesus, thus answering those who deny the full divine meaning of his N.T. title of "Lord." Matthew 22:41-45 ; Mark 12:35-37 ; Luke 20:41-44 ; Acts 2:34 ; Acts 2:35 ; Hebrews 1:13 ; Hebrews 10:12 ; Hebrews 10:13 .
(2) This Psalm announces the eternal priesthood of Messiah--one of the most important statements of Scripture ( Psalms 110:4 ).
See Scofield " Hebrews 5:6 ".; Hebrews 7:1-28 ; 1 Timothy 2:5 ; 1 Timothy 2:6 ; John 14:6 .
(3) Historically, the Psalm begins with the ascension of Christ Psalms 110:1 ,; John 20:17 ; Acts 7:56 ; Revelation 3:21 .
(4) Prophetically, the Psalm looks on
(a) to the time when Christ will appear as the Rod of Jehovah's strength, the Deliverer out of Zion. Romans 11:25-27 and the conversion of Israel; Psalms 110:3 ; Psalms 91:9-123 ; Zechariah 13:9 ; Deuteronomy 30:1-9 , and
(b) to the judgment upon the Gentile powers which precedes the setting up of the kingdom ( Psalms 110:5 ; Psalms 110:6 ); Joel 3:9-17 ; Zechariah 14:1-4 ; Revelation 19:11-21 .
See "Armageddon" Revelation 16:14 . "Israel" Genesis 12:2 ; Genesis 12:3 . See Scofield " Romans 11:26 ". "Kingdom" See Scofield " Zechariah 12:8 ". See Scofield " 1 Corinthians 15:24 ". See Scofield " Psalms 2:6 ". See Scofield " Psalms 118:22 .
See Psalms 118, last in order of the Messianic Psalms.
Salem
Meaning Peace.
Compare ( Hebrews 7:2 ).
Melchizedek
Meaning King of Righteousness.
Compare ( Hebrews 7:2 ).
Salem
Meaning Peace.
Compare ( Hebrews 7:2 ).
most high God
2 "Most high," or "most high God" (Hebrew, El Elyon). "Elyon means simply "highest."
(1) The first revelation of this name ( Genesis 14:8 ) indicates its distinctive meanings. Abram, returning from his victory over the confederated kings ( Genesis 14:1-17 ) is met by Melchizedek, King of Salem. . . The "priest of the most high God" (El Elyon), who blesses Abram in the name of El Elyon, "possessor of heaven and earth." This revelation produced a remarkable impression upon the patriarch. Not only did he at once give Melchizedek "tithes of all" the spoil of the battle, but when the King of Sodom offered other of that spoil to Abram, his answer was; "I have lift up mine hand unto the Lord Jehovah, the most high God El-Elyon, the possessor of heaven and earth, that I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet," etc. ( Genesis 14:18-23 ).
(a) The Lord (Jehovah) is know to a Gentile king (Melchizedek) by the name "most high god" El Elyon);
(b) a Gentile is the priest of El Elyon and
(c) His distinctive character as most high God is "possessor of heaven and earth."
Appropriately to this Gentile knowledge of God by His name "Most High," we read that "the Most High divided to the nationsthat is, Gentiles] their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam," etc. ( Deuteronomy 32:8 ). As "possessor heaven and earth," it was the prerogative of the Most High to distribute the earth among the nations according to whatever principle He chose. That principle is declared ( Deuteronomy 32:8 ). To the same purport is the use of the name in Daniel, the book of Gentile prophecy; ( Daniel 3:26 ); ( Daniel 4:17 ); ( Daniel 4:24 ); ( Daniel 4:25 ); ( Daniel 4:32 ); ( Daniel 4:34 ); ( Daniel 4:35 ); ( Daniel 5:18 ); ( Daniel 5:21 ).
(2) As "possessor of heaven and earth," the most high God has and exercises authority in both spheres:
(a) the heavenly authority of El Elyon (for example ( Daniel 4:35 ); ( Daniel 4:37 ); ( Isaiah 14:13 ); ( Isaiah 14:14 ); ( Matthew 28:18 ).
(b) the earthly authority of El Elyon (e.g). ( Deuteronomy 32:8 ); ( Psalms 9:2-5 ); ( Psalms 21:7 ); ( Psalms 47:2-4 ); ( Psalms 56:2-3 ); ( Psalms 82:6 ); ( Psalms 82:8 ); ( Psalms 83:16-18 ); ( Psalms 91:9-12 ); ( 2 Samuel 22:14 ); ( 2 Samuel 22:15 ); ( Daniel 5:18 ).
See, for other names of Deity:
( See Scofield Genesis 1:1 ).
( See Scofield Genesis 2:4 ).
( See Scofield Genesis 2:7 )
( See Scofield Genesis 15:2 ).
( See Scofield Genesis 17:1 ).
( See Scofield Genesis 21:33
( See Scofield 1 Samuel 1:3 ).
Melchizedek
Meaning King of Righteousness.
Compare ( Hebrews 7:2 ).
Salem
Meaning Peace.
Compare ( Hebrews 7:2 ).
Melchizedek
1 Melchizedek, type of Christ the King-Priest. The type strictly applies to the priestly work of Christ in resurrection, since Melchizedek presents only the memorials of sacrifice, bread and wine. "After the order of Melchizedek" ( Hebrews 6:20 ) refers to the royal authority and unending duration of Christ's high priesthood ( Hebrews 7:23 ); ( Hebrews 7:24 ). The Aaronic priesthood was often interrupted by death. Christ is a priest after the order of Melchizedek, as King of righteousness, King of peace; ( Isaiah 11:4-9 ); ( Hebrews 7:2 ) and in the endlessness of his priesthood; but the Aaronic priesthood typifies His priestly work.
most high God
2 "Most high," or "most high God" (Hebrew, El Elyon). "Elyon means simply "highest."
(1) The first revelation of this name ( Genesis 14:8 ) indicates its distinctive meanings. Abram, returning from his victory over the confederated kings ( Genesis 14:1-17 ) is met by Melchizedek, King of Salem. . . The "priest of the most high God" (El Elyon), who blesses Abram in the name of El Elyon, "possessor of heaven and earth." This revelation produced a remarkable impression upon the patriarch. Not only did he at once give Melchizedek "tithes of all" the spoil of the battle, but when the King of Sodom offered other of that spoil to Abram, his answer was; "I have lift up mine hand unto the Lord Jehovah, the most high God El-Elyon, the possessor of heaven and earth, that I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet," etc. ( Genesis 14:18-23 ).
(a) The Lord (Jehovah) is know to a Gentile king (Melchizedek) by the name "most high god" El Elyon);
(b) a Gentile is the priest of El Elyon and
(c) His distinctive character as most high God is "possessor of heaven and earth."
Appropriately to this Gentile knowledge of God by His name "Most High," we read that "the Most High divided to the nationsthat is, Gentiles] their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam," etc. ( Deuteronomy 32:8 ). As "possessor heaven and earth," it was the prerogative of the Most High to distribute the earth among the nations according to whatever principle He chose. That principle is declared ( Deuteronomy 32:8 ). To the same purport is the use of the name in Daniel, the book of Gentile prophecy; ( Daniel 3:26 ); ( Daniel 4:17 ); ( Daniel 4:24 ); ( Daniel 4:25 ); ( Daniel 4:32 ); ( Daniel 4:34 ); ( Daniel 4:35 ); ( Daniel 5:18 ); ( Daniel 5:21 ).
(2) As "possessor of heaven and earth," the most high God has and exercises authority in both spheres:
(a) the heavenly authority of El Elyon (for example ( Daniel 4:35 ); ( Daniel 4:37 ); ( Isaiah 14:13 ); ( Isaiah 14:14 ); ( Matthew 28:18 ).
(b) the earthly authority of El Elyon (e.g). ( Deuteronomy 32:8 ); ( Psalms 9:2-5 ); ( Psalms 21:7 ); ( Psalms 47:2-4 ); ( Psalms 56:2-3 ); ( Psalms 82:6 ); ( Psalms 82:8 ); ( Psalms 83:16-18 ); ( 1711624141_50 ); ( 2 Samuel 22:14 ); ( 2 Samuel 22:15 ); ( Daniel 5:18 ).
See, for other names of Deity:
( See Scofield Genesis 1:1 ).
( See Scofield Genesis 2:4 ).
( See Scofield Genesis 2:7 )
( See Scofield Genesis 15:2 ).
( See Scofield Genesis 17:1 ).
( See Scofield Genesis 21:33
( See Scofield 1 Samuel 1:3 ).
Melchizedek
Meaning King of Righteousness.
Compare ( Hebrews 7:2 ).
Salem
Meaning Peace.
Compare ( Hebrews 7:2 ).
turn thy captivity
The Palestinian Covenant gives the conditions under which Israel entered the land of promise. It is important to see that the nation has never as yet taken the land under the unconditional Abrahamic Covenant, nor has it ever possessed the whole land (cf. Genesis 15:18 ; Numbers 34:1-12 . The Palestinian Covenant is in seven parts.
(1) Dispersion for disobedience, Deuteronomy 30:1 ; Deuteronomy 28:63-68 (See Scofield " Genesis 15:18 ")
(2) The future repentance of Israel while in the dispersion, Deuteronomy 30:2 .
(3) The return of the Lord, Deuteronomy 30:3 ; Amos 9:9-14 ; Acts 15:14-17 .
(4) Restoration to the land, Deuteronomy 30:5 ; Isaiah 11:11 ; Isaiah 11:12 ; Jeremiah 23:3-8 ; Ezekiel 37:21-25
(5) National conversion, Deuteronomy 30:6 ; Romans 11:26 ; Romans 11:27 ; Hosea 2:14-16
(6) The judgment of Israel's oppressors, Deuteronomy 30:7 ; Isaiah 14:1 ; Isaiah 14:2 ; Joel 3:1-8 ; Matthew 25:31-46
(7) National prosperity, Deuteronomy 30:9 ; Amos 9:11-14
For Another Point of View: See Topic 301242
See, for the other seven covenants:
EDENIC (See Scofield " Genesis 1:28 ") ADAMIC See Scofield " Genesis 3:15 " ABRAHAMIC See Scofield " Genesis 15:18 " NOAHIC See Scofield " Genesis 9:1 " MOSAIC See Scofield " Exodus 19:25 " DAVIDIC See Scofield " 2 Samuel 7:16 " NEW See Scofield " Hebrews 8:8 "
Come
Armageddon (the ancient hill and valley of Megiddo, west of Jordan in the plain of Jezreel) is the appointed place for the beginning of the great battle in which the Lord, at His coming in glory, will deliver the Jewish remnant besieged by the Gentile world- powers under the Beast and False Prophet Revelation 16:13-16 ; Zechariah 12:1-9 . Apparently the besieging hosts, whose approach to Jerusalem is described in Isaiah 10:28-32 alarmed by the signs which precede the Lord's coming Matthew 24:29 ; Matthew 24:30 have fallen back to Megiddo, after the events of Zechariah 14:2 where their destruction begins; a destruction consummated in Moab and the plains of Idumea Isaiah 63:1-6 . This battle is the first event in "the day of Jehovah" Isaiah 2:12 and is the fulfilment of the smiting-stone prophecy of Daniel 2:35 .

Context Summary

Psalms 110:1-7 - Our Priest-King At God's Right Hand
Luther describes this psalm as "the true, high, main psalm of our beloved Lord Jesus Christ." Our Lord attributed it to David, in the power of the Holy Spirit; and there is no portion of the Old Testament more frequently quoted in the New. See Matthew 22:44; 1 Corinthians 15:25; Hebrews 1:3; Hebrews 1:13; Hebrews 5:6; Hebrews 5:10; Hebrews 7:17; Hebrews 7:21. David speaks of the Messiah as my Lord. The inference as to the deity of our Lord is incontestable. His mighty scepter, the symbol of his rule, reaches from Son to the utmost limits of space and time. He waits till all his enemies are His footstool. Their character is evident in their attire-the beauties of holiness. They are as numerous and refreshing as dewdrops on parched meadows. There is an infinite attractiveness between our Savior and young life-thy youth.
The offices of priest and king were jealously kept apart in the old Hebrew monarchy, so the psalmist has to travel into the childhood of the world to find the type of a priesthood. Jesus is King and Priest after a more ancient and abiding order, which, it is testified, is based on a timeless life. Our Lord shall come to the throne from the battlefield. He shall bruise the serpent's head, but He needs the refreshment of our love and faith. That is the wayside brook. [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalms 110

1  The kingdom
4  The priesthood
5  The conquest
7  And the passion of Christ

What do the individual words in Psalms 110:1 mean?

Of David A Psalm said Yahweh to my Lord Sit at My right hand Till I make Your enemies - Your footstool
לְדָוִ֗ד מִ֫זְמ֥וֹר נְאֻ֤ם יְהוָ֨ה ׀ לַֽאדֹנִ֗י שֵׁ֥ב לִֽימִינִ֑י עַד־ אָשִׁ֥ית אֹ֝יְבֶ֗יךָ הֲדֹ֣ם לְרַגְלֶֽיךָ

לְדָוִ֗ד  Of  David 
Parse: Preposition-l, Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: דָּוִד  
Sense: youngest son of Jesse and second king of Israel.
מִ֫זְמ֥וֹר  A  Psalm 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: מִזְמֹור  
Sense: melody, psalm.
נְאֻ֤ם  said 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: נְאֻם  
Sense: (Qal) utterance, declaration (of prophet).
יְהוָ֨ה ׀  Yahweh 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
לַֽאדֹנִ֗י  to  my  Lord 
Parse: Preposition-l, Noun, masculine singular construct, first person common singular
Root: אָדֹון  
Sense: firm, strong, lord, master.
שֵׁ֥ב  Sit 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperative, masculine singular
Root: יָשַׁב 
Sense: to dwell, remain, sit, abide.
לִֽימִינִ֑י  at  My  right  hand 
Parse: Preposition-l, Noun, feminine singular construct, first person common singular
Root: יָמִין  
Sense: right, right hand, right side.
עַד־  Till 
Parse: Preposition
Root: עַד  
Sense: as far as, even to, until, up to, while, as far as.
אָשִׁ֥ית  I  make 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, first person common singular
Root: שִׁית  
Sense: to put, set.
אֹ֝יְבֶ֗יךָ  Your  enemies 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine plural construct, second person masculine singular
Root: אֹיֵב  
Sense: (Qal) enemy.
הֲדֹ֣ם  - 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: הֲדֹם  
Sense: stool, footstool.
לְרַגְלֶֽיךָ  Your  footstool 
Parse: Preposition-l, Noun, fdc, second person masculine singular
Root: רֶגֶל  
Sense: foot.