Psalm 110: Jesus At the Right Hand of God

Introduction: Psalm 110 highlights the wisdom of God. It provides a theological insight into God’s divine plan for kingship and priesthood, offering a prophetic foretelling of Christ’s eternal reign and priesthood. The Psalm holds a crucial place in New Testament Christology, quoted and alluded to more frequently than any other Old Testament passage. This appraisal of Psalm 110 will explore its significance, primarily focusing on its portrayal of divine wisdom.

I. Divine Wisdom in the Establishment of a Royal Priesthood (Psalm 110:1-4)
Psalm 110:1-4 speaks of the divine wisdom behind the establishment of a royal priesthood, depicted in the figure of Melchizedek. It predicts the coming of a ruler who would serve not only as a king but also as a priest. This ruler is identified in the New Testament as Jesus Christ (Hebrews 7:17). The Psalm also emphasizes the eternal nature of this priesthood (Psalm 110:4), a theme that is echoed in Hebrews 5:6, 7:17, 7:21. The divine wisdom underlying this dual role of Christ is further elucidated in Zechariah 6:13, where both the kingly and priestly roles of the Messiah are mentioned.

II. Divine Wisdom in the Exaltation of the Messiah (Psalm 110:1)
Psalm 110:1 reveals the divine wisdom in the exaltation of the Messiah, stating, “The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.” This verse is repeatedly quoted in the New Testament (Matthew 22:44, Mark 12:36, Luke 20:42-43, Acts 2:34-35) to refer to the exaltation of Christ. The divine wisdom in this is seen in that through Christ’s exaltation, God’s ultimate plan of salvation for humanity is fulfilled (Ephesians 1:20-22).

III. Divine Wisdom in the Conquering Power of the Messiah (Psalm 110:2-3)
Psalm 110:2-3 portrays the divine wisdom in the conquering power of the Messiah. The rod of His power and the willingness of His people in the day of His power (Psalm 110:2-3) resonate with the New Testament depiction of Christ’s ultimate victory over sin and death (1 Corinthians 15:25). The divine wisdom here lies in God’s provision for the redemption of humanity through the victorious power of Christ (Romans 5:19, 1 Corinthians 15:57).

IV. Divine Wisdom in the Eternal Priesthood of the Messiah (Psalm 110:4)
The verse, “Thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek” (Psalm 110:4), encapsulates the divine wisdom in the eternal priesthood of the Messiah. This is interpreted in Hebrews 7:24-25 as referring to the unchanging and everlasting priesthood of Christ, who is able to save completely those who come to God through Him. The divine wisdom is underscored in that through Christ’s eternal priesthood, the inadequacy of the Levitical priesthood is resolved (Hebrews 7:11-12, Hebrews 8:6-7).

Conclusion: Psalm 110 offers God’s wisdom as it unveils God’s plan for a royal priesthood, the exaltation, conquering power, and eternal priesthood of the Messiah. By doing so, it provides a theological framework that helps in understanding the roles and work of Christ as echoed in the New Testament. God’s wisdom in orchestrating such a divine plan is beyond human comprehension but is made known to us through His word. Indeed, Psalm 110 is a testament to divine wisdom, providing a glimpse of God’s sovereign and perfect plan for salvation through Christ.