Psalm 110 - The Exalted Messiah: King, Priest, and Victor
The Enthroned Lord
Psalm 110 invites us to step behind the curtain of history and overhear a divine conversation. David, carried along by the Spirit, records the Father speaking to the Son: “The LORD says to my Lord: ‘Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool’” (Psalm 110:1).
It is a breathtaking moment. David—the king of Israel—calls this coming Messiah his Lord. Jesus Himself pointed to this verse (Matthew 22:43–45), showing that the Messiah is more than David’s descendant—He is David’s divine Lord!
This is the glory of Jesus. He is not merely a teacher or example—He is the enthroned King of heaven, reigning even now at the right hand of God. History is not drifting. It is moving toward the day when every enemy will be placed beneath His feet. No wonder Psalm 110 is explicitly quoted or clearly alluded to 20+ times in the New Testament. Psalm 110 presents a multi-dimensional picture of the Messiah—one that the New Testament writers repeatedly draw upon to explain who Jesus is. No other Psalm comes close in terms of theological weight and frequency.
The Eternal Priest
Psalm 110 does not stop with kingship. It leads us into something even more personal and profound: “The LORD has sworn and will not change his mind, ‘You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek’” (Psalm 110:4).
At first glance, Melchizedek is a strange and mysterious figure. He appears briefly in Genesis 14 as both king of Salem and priest of God Most High. His name means “king of righteousness,” and Salem is associated with peace—so he is both king of righteousness and king of peace.
He blesses Abraham, and Abraham gives him a tenth, recognizing his greatness. Then, just as suddenly as he appears, he disappears. No genealogy. No recorded beginning or end. In a book filled with family lines, that silence is striking.
The New Testament helps us understand why. Hebrews 7 reflects on Melchizedek and says he is “without father or mother or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God” (Hebrews 7:3). The point is not that Melchizedek was eternal, but that the way Scripture presents him makes him a pattern—a shadow—of a greater Priest to come.
Jesus the Great High Priest
Hebrews tells us that Jesus is “a priest… not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life” (Hebrews 7:16). His priesthood is not temporary or inherited—it is eternal and secured by God’s oath: “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind” (Hebrews 7:21).
Unlike the priests of Israel, who were many because death prevented them from continuing, “he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever” (Hebrews 7:24). And this leads to one of the most comforting truths in all of Scripture: “Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25).
This changes everything!
Jesus is not only the King who rules over us—He is the Priest who stands for us. He does not merely command allegiance; He provides access. He has offered Himself once for all, and now He lives forever as our mediator, our advocate, our intercessor.
Because He is priest forever, our hope is secure forever.
A Willing People
When we see Christ rightly, something happens in us.
“Your people will offer themselves freely on the day of your power, in holy garments; from the womb of the morning, the dew of your youth will be yours” (Psalm 110:3).
Christ does not build His kingdom by coercion, but by transformation. His people are not forced into service—they are drawn into it. They offer themselves freely.
When we behold Him as both sovereign King and faithful Priest—righteous, merciful, and eternal—we are moved to respond. Not reluctantly, but willingly. His authority does not crush us; it captures us. His priesthood does not distance us; it secures us.
The question is not simply whether we follow Jesus, but how we follow Him. Are we reluctant participants, or joyful volunteers?
The Certain Victory
Psalm 110 also reminds us that the One who intercedes for His people will also judge the nations.
“The Lord is at your right hand; he will shatter kings on the day of his wrath. He will execute judgment among the nations” (Psalm 110:5–6).
The enthroned King and eternal Priest is also the coming Judge. Every enemy will fall. Every rival kingdom will fade. Evil will not endure forever.
And yet, for those who belong to Him, this is not a fearful reality—it is a hopeful one. The One who will judge the world is the same One who now intercedes for His people. The Judge is our Priest. The King is our Savior.
Psalm 110 ends in triumph: “He will drink from the brook by the way; therefore he will lift up his head” (Psalm 110:7). Christ does not falter or fail—He is refreshed, victorious, and exalted.
A Call to Respond
Psalm 110 leaves us with a vision both majestic and deeply personal: Jesus Christ reigns, Jesus Christ intercedes, and Jesus Christ will triumph.
He is the enthroned Lord.
He is the eternal Priest.
He is the victorious King.
And because of who He is, the only fitting response is to trust Him, worship Him, and gladly give ourselves to Him.
Reflection Questions
- How does seeing Jesus as both King and Priest deepen your understanding of who He is and what He has done for you?
- What stands out to you about Melchizedek, and how does it help you better understand Christ’s eternal priesthood?
- Do you live with confidence that Jesus is actively interceding for you right now? Why or why not?
- In what areas of your life is Jesus inviting you to move from reluctant obedience to willing devotion?
Prayer
Lord Jesus,
You are the exalted King and our eternal High Priest. We praise You that You reign with all authority, and yet You also draw near to us with mercy and grace.
Thank You that Your priesthood does not fade or fail—that You always live to make intercession for us. When we feel weak, remind us that our hope does not rest in our effort, but in Your finished work and ongoing care.
Help us to see You more clearly—Your righteousness, Your peace, Your power, and Your compassion. Shape our hearts so that we would follow You not out of obligation, but with willing joy. Give us confidence in Your victory and rest in Your intercession. We trust You, we worship You, and we offer ourselves to You.
Amen.