Bible Commentaries
Psalms 110

Verse 1

Title. A Psalm. Hebrew. mizmor. App-65 .

of David. Relating to the true David, and interpreted of Him and by Him. See note below.

The LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 . Quoted in Matthew 22:41-46 . Acts 2:34 , Acts 2:35 .Hebrews 1:13 .

said. Hebrew. ne'um Jehovah = "the Greekcle (or oracular utterance) of Jehovah". It is almost always used of the immediate direct utterance of Jehovah Himself; seldom of that of the prophet; (Numbers 24:3 , Numbers 24:15 ); David (2 Samuel 23:1 ).

my Lord = Adonai, App-4 . : i.e. David ' s Lord: i.e. the Messiah. Compare Matthew 22:41-46 .

Sit Thou, &c. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6 .

Until I make, &c. Quoted or referred to seven times in N.T. (Matthew 22:44 .Mark 12:36 . Luke 20:42 .Acts 2:34 .Hebrews 1:13 ; Hebrews 10:13 . 1 Corinthians 15:25 ).

make Thine enemies Thy footstool = set Thine enemies [as] a footstool for Thy feet. In the New Testament, Greek = tithemi (2 aor. subj.) = "shall have placed". 1 Corinthians 15:25 is the exception, where it is not "set as a footstool", but put "under", because Christ's session on His own throne (Matthew 25:31 .Revelation 3:21; Revelation 3:21 ) is there referred to, instead of His session on His Father's throne, as in all the other quotations.

Verse 2

the rod of Thy strength = Thy strong staff. Genitive of Character, App-17 . The reference is to the ancestral staff, marking the priest as well as the prince, and handed down here to Messiah, David's son.

Zion. See App-68 . Compare Romans 11:25-27 .

enemies = foes.

Verse 3

shall be. Supply Ellipsis ( App-6 ) thus: "[shall offer] themselves for voluntary offerings, in the day that Thou warrest".

willing = freewill offerings, as in Exodus 35:29 ; Exodus 36:3 . 1Ch 29:9 , 1 Chronicles 29:14 , 1 Chronicles 29:17 . Ezra 3:5 ; Ezra 8:28 .

the beauties of holiness. Some codices, with two early printed editions, read "in (or on) the holy mountains".

from the womb, &c. Supply Ellipsis ( App-6 ): "[as the dew] from the womb before the morning I have begotten thee [a son]". Compare Psalms 2:7 . There should be no stop after the word "morning".

youth = a son.

Verse 4

sworn. Corresponding with "said" (Psalms 110:1 ).

Thou: i.e. Messiah (David's son and Lord), not David himself, who was not of the tribe of Levi.

Thou art, &c. Quoted in Hebrews 5:6 ; Hebrews 7:17 .

After the order . Compare Genesis 14:18 . Hebrews 5:6 , Hebrews 5:10 ; Hebrews 6:20 ; Hebrews 7:1-28 .

Melchizedek. His priesthood was unique, and did not pass to another, as did Aaron ' s. Hence, Christ's priesthood, being in Resurrection life and Ascension glory, will continue for ever, and He will be a priest upon His throne (Zechariah 6:13 ), and a priest for ever.

Verse 5

The LORD*. One of the 134 places where the Sopherim changed Jehovah to Adonai. See App-32 .

Verse 6

heathen = nations. Compare Joel 3:9-17 . Zechariah 14:1-4 .

He shall fill, &c. = "Let Him judge among the peoples [a region] full of corpses.

heads = head (Revelation 19:11-21 ): i.e. the Antichrist.

many countries = a great land.

Verse 7

of = from. The verse begins with this word (Hebrew = M = from), and thus corresponds with the "from" of Psalms 110:3 (member M, above).

the head = [his] head.