---
title: "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible -  Psalms 110"
description: "PSALM 110   :-. The explicit application of this Psalm to our Saviour,
by Him (Matthew 22:42-45)
and by the apostles (Acts 2:34;
1 Corinthians 15:25; Hebr"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/psalms/110"
---

PSALM 110

. The explicit application of this Psalm to our Saviour,
by Him ([Matthew 22:42-45](../../../kjv/matthew/22/42-45))
and by the apostles ([Acts 2:34](../../../kjv/acts/2/34);
[1 Corinthians 15:25](../../../kjv/1-corinthians/15/25); [Hebrews 1:13](../../../kjv/hebrews/1/13)),
and their frequent reference to its language and purport ([Ephesians 1:20-22](../../../kjv/ephesians/1/20-22);
[Philippians 2:9-11](../../../kjv/philippians/2/9-11); [Hebrews 10:12](../../../kjv/hebrews/10/12);
[Hebrews 10:13](../../../kjv/hebrews/10/13)), leave no doubt of its
purely prophetic character. Not only was there nothing in the
position or character, personal or official, of David or any other
descendant, to justify a reference to either, but utter severance
from the royal office of all priestly functions (so clearly assigned
the subject of this Psalm) positively forbids such a reference. The
Psalm celebrates the exaltation of Christ to the throne of an eternal
and increasing kingdom, and a perpetual priesthood ([Hebrews 10:13](../../../kjv/hebrews/10/13)), involving the subjugation of His enemies and the
multiplication of His subjects, and rendered infallibly certain by
the word and oath of Almighty God.

**1. The Lord said**—literally, "A
saying of the Lord," (compare ), a formula, used in prophetic or other solemn or express
declarations.
**my Lord**—That the Jews
understood this term to denote the Messiah their traditions show, and
Christ's mode of arguing on such an assumption () also proves.
**Sit . . . at my right
hand**—not only a mark of honor (), but also implied participation of power ([Psalms 45:9](../../../kjv/psalms/45/9);
[Mark 16:19](../../../kjv/mark/16/19); [Ephesians 1:20](../../../kjv/ephesians/1/20)).
**Sit**—as a king ([Ephesians 1:20](../../../kjv/ephesians/1/20)), though the position rather than posture is intimated
(compare [Acts 7:55](../../../kjv/acts/7/55); [Acts 7:56](../../../kjv/acts/7/56)).
**until I make,** c.—The
dominion of Christ over His enemies, as commissioned by God, and
entrusted with all power ([Acts 7:56](../../../kjv/acts/7/56)) for their subjugation, will assuredly be established ([Acts 7:56](../../../kjv/acts/7/56)). This is neither His government as God, nor that which,
as the incarnate Saviour, He exercises over His people, of whom He
will ever be Head.
**thine enemies thy
footstool**—an expression taken from the custom of Eastern
conquerors (compare [Joshua 10:24](../../../kjv/joshua/10/24)
[Judges 1:7](../../../kjv/judges/1/7)) to signify a complete
subjection.

**2. the rod of thy strength**—the
rod of correction ([Isaiah 9:4](../../../kjv/isaiah/9/4);
[Isaiah 10:15](../../../kjv/isaiah/10/15); [Jeremiah 48:12](../../../kjv/jeremiah/48/12)),
by which Thy strength will be known. This is His Word of truth
([Isaiah 2:3](../../../kjv/isaiah/2/3); [Isaiah 11:4](../../../kjv/isaiah/11/4)),
converting some and confounding others (compare [Isaiah 11:4](../../../kjv/isaiah/11/4)).
**out of Zion**—or, the
Church, in which God dwells by His Spirit, as once by a visible
symbol in the tabernacle on Zion (compare [Isaiah 11:4](../../../kjv/isaiah/11/4)).
**rule thou,** c.—over
enemies now conquered.
**in the midst**—once set
upon, as by ferocious beasts ([Isaiah 11:4](../../../kjv/isaiah/11/4)), now humbly, though reluctantly, confessed as Lord ([Philippians 2:10](../../../kjv/philippians/2/10)
[Philippians 2:11](../../../kjv/philippians/2/11)).

**3. Thy people . . .
willing**—literally, "Thy people (are) free will offerings";
for such is the proper rendering of the word "willing,"
which is a plural noun, and not an adjective (compare [Exodus 25:2](../../../kjv/exodus/25/2);
[Psalms 54:6](../../../kjv/psalms/54/6)), also a similar form
([Judges 5:2-9](../../../kjv/judges/5/2-9)).
**in the day of thy power**—Thy
people freely offer themselves ([Judges 5:2-7](../../../kjv/judges/5/2-7)) in Thy service, enlisting under Thy banner.
**in the beauties of
holiness**—either as in [Judges 5:2-7](../../../kjv/judges/5/2-7), the loveliness of a spiritual worship, of which the temple
service, in all its material splendors, was but a type; or more
probably, the appearance of the worshippers, who, in this spiritual
kingdom, are a nation of kings and priests ([1 Peter 2:9](../../../kjv/1-peter/2/9);
[Revelation 1:5](../../../kjv/revelation/1/5)), attending this Priest
and King, clothed in those eminent graces which the beautiful
vestments of the Aaronic priests ([Revelation 1:5](../../../kjv/revelation/1/5)) typified. The last very obscure clause—
**from the womb . . .
youth**—may, according to this view, be thus explained: The word
"youth" denotes a period of life distinguished for strength
and activity (compare [Ecclesiastes 11:9](../../../kjv/ecclesiastes/11/9))
—the "dew" is a constant emblem of whatever is refreshing
and strengthening ([Proverbs 19:12](../../../kjv/proverbs/19/12);
[Hosea 14:5](../../../kjv/hosea/14/5)). The Messiah, then, as
leading His people, is represented as continually in the vigor of
youth, refreshed and strengthened by the early dew of God's grace and
Spirit. Thus the phrase corresponds as a member of a parallelism with
"the day of thy power" in the first clause. "In the
beauties of holiness" belongs to this latter clause,
corresponding to "Thy people" in the first, and the colon
after "morning" is omitted. Others prefer: Thy youth, or
youthful vigor, or body, shall be constantly refreshed by successive
accessions of people as dew from the early morning; and this accords
with the New Testament idea that the Church is Christ's body (compare
[Micah 5:7](../../../kjv/micah/5/7)).

**4.** The perpetuity of the
priesthood, here asserted on God's oath, corresponds with that of the
kingly office just explained.
**after the order**— () after the similitude of Melchisedek, is fully expounded by
Paul, to denote not only perpetuity, appointment of God, and a royal
priesthood, but also the absence of priestly descent and succession,
and superiority to the Aaronic order.

**5. at thy right hand**—as , upholding and aiding, which is not inconsistent with , where the figure denotes participation of power, for here
He is presented in another aspect, as a warrior going against
enemies, and sustained by God.
**strike through**—smite or
crush.
**kings**—not common men,
but their rulers, and so all under them ([Psalms 2:2](../../../kjv/psalms/2/2);
[Psalms 2:10](../../../kjv/psalms/2/10)).

**6.** The person is again changed.
The Messiah's conquests are described, though His work and God's are
the same. As after a battle, whose field is strewn with corpses, the
conqueror ascends the seat of empire, so shall He "judge,"
or "rule," among many nations, and subdue
**the head**—or (as used
collectively for "many") "the heads," *over
many lands.*
**wound**—literally,
"smite," or "crush" (compare ).

**7.** As a conqueror, "faint,
yet pursuing" [[Judges 8:4](../../../kjv/judges/8/4)], He
shall be refreshed by *the brook in the way,* and pursue to
completion His divine and glorious triumphs.

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