<> The {a} LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.

(a) Jesus Christ in Mt 22:44 gives the interpretation of this, and shows that this cannot properly be applied to David but to himself.

Wesley's Notes

110:1 The Lord - God the father. Said - Decreed it from eternity, and in due time published this decree, and actually executed it; which he did when he raised up Christ from the dead, and brought him into his heavenly mansion. Unto - Unto his son the Messiah, whom David designedly calls his Lord, to admonish the whole church, that although he was his son according to his human nature, yet he had an higher nature, and was also his Lord, as being God blessed for ever, and consequently Lord of all things. The Hebrew word Adon is one of God's titles, signifying his power and authority over all things, and therefore is most fitly given to the Messiah, to whom God hath delegated all his power Matt 28:18. Sit - Now take thy rest and the possession of that sovereign kingdom and glory, which by right belongeth to thee; do thou rule with me with equal power and majesty, as thou art God; and with an authority and honour far above all creatures, as thou art man. Make - By my almighty power communicated to thee as God by eternal generation, and vouchsafed to thee as mediator. Enemies - All ungodly men, sin and death, and the devil. Footstool - Thy slaves and vassals.

Scofield Reference Notes

[1] The Lord said unto my Lord

The importance of Psalm 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." Mt 22:41-45 Mk 12:35-37 Lk 20:41-44 Acts 2:34,35 Heb 1:13 10:12,13.

(2) This Psalm announces the eternal priesthood of Messiah--one of the most important statements of Scripture (Ps 110:4).

See Scofield Note: "Gen 14:18" See Scofield Note: "Heb 5:6". Heb 7:1-28 1Tim 2:5,6 Jn 14:6.

(3) Historically, the Psalm begins with the ascension of Christ Ps 110:1, Jn 20:17 Acts 7:56 Rev 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. Rom 11:25-27 and the conversion of Israel Ps 110:3 Joel 2:27 Zech 13:9 Dt 30:1-9 See Scofield Note: "Dt 30:3", and

(b) to the judgment upon the Gentile powers which precedes the setting up of the kingdom (Ps 110:5,6); Joel 3:9-17 Zech 14:1-4 Rev 19:11-21.

See "Armageddon" Rev 16:14 See Scofield Note: "Rev 19:17". "Israel" Gen 12:2,3. See Scofield Note: "Rom 11:26". "Kingdom" See Scofield Note: "Zech 12:8". See Scofield Note: "1Cor 15:24". See Scofield Note: "Ps 2:6". See Scofield Note: "Ps 118:22.

See Psalm 118, last in order of the Messianic Psalms.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

PSALM 110

Ps 110:1-7. The explicit application of this Psalm to our Saviour, by Him (Mt 22:42-45) and by the apostles (Ac 2:34; 1Co 15:25; Heb 1:13), and their frequent reference to its language and purport (Eph 1:20-22; Php 2:9-11; Heb 10:12, 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 (Zec 6:13), 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 Ps 36:1), 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 (Mt 22:44) also proves.

Sit . at my right hand-not only a mark of honor (1Ki 2:19), but also implied participation of power (Ps 45:9; Mr 16:19; Eph 1:20).

Sit-as a king (Ps 29:10), though the position rather than posture is intimated (compare Ac 7:55, 56).

until I make, &c.-The dominion of Christ over His enemies, as commissioned by God, and entrusted with all power (Mt 28:18) for their subjugation, will assuredly be established (1Co 15:24-28). 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 Jos 10:24; Jud 1:7) to signify a complete subjection.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

110:1-7 Christ's kingdom. - Glorious things are here spoken of Christ. Not only he should be superior to all the kings of the earth, but he then existed in glory as the eternal Son of God. Sitting is a resting posture: after services and sufferings, to give law, to give judgment. It is a remaining posture: he sits like a king for ever. All his enemies are now in a chain, but not yet made his footstool. And his kingdom, being set up, shall be kept up in the world, in despite of all the powers of darkness. Christ's people are a willing people. The power of the Spirit, going with the power of the world, to the people of Christs, is effectual to make them willing. They shall attend him in the beautiful attire of holiness; which becomes his house for ever. And he shall have many devoted to him. The dew of our youth, even in the morning of our days, ought to be consecrated to our Lord Jesus. Christ shall not only be a King, but a Priest. He is God's Minister to us, and our Advocate with the Father, and so is the Mediator between God and man. He is a Priest of the order of Melchizedek, which was before that of Aaron, and on many accounts superior to it, and a more lively representation of Christ's priesthood. Christ's sitting at the right hand of God, speaks as much terror to his enemies as happiness to his people. The effect of this victory shall be the utter ruin of his enemies. We have here the Redeemer saving his friends, and comforting them. He shall be humbled; he shall drink of the brook in the way. The wrath of God, running in the curse of the law, may be considered as the brook in the way of his undertaking. Christ drank of the waters of affliction in his way to the throne of glory. But he shall be exalted. What then are we? Has the gospel of Christ been to us the power of God unto salvation? Has his kingdom been set up in our hearts? Are we his willing subjects? Once we knew not our need of his salvation, and we were not willing that he should reign over us. Are we willing to give up every sin, to turn from a wicked, insnaring world, and rely only on his merits and mercy, to have him for our Prophet, Priest, and King? and do we desire to be holy? To those who are thus changed, the Saviour's sacrifice, intercession, and blessing belong.