As we continue on our walk through the Psalms, this month’s devotion is on Psalm 110.
God’s timing is always perfect.
I usually organize all my work long before I’m ready to write anything. The selection of Psalms was made back in December 2024 along with any research I could do to save me time when I’m ready to write the devotion.
I didn’t know until just this morning what Psalm we’d be studying, but when I looked at my list and read the Psalm, I couldn’t help but think how appropriate it was, given the events of the past couple of weeks, I’ve been impressed to think about and keep my eyes on Jesus. He is the only way, the only truth, and the only life.
So many people are lost, without hope, fearful, and going in the wrong direction. Only Jesus can direct a person’s path to what is right and just. these words aren’t just for David’s time—they are for ours today, when the world seems shaken and people are desperate for hope.
So, grab your Bible and let’s dig into a most wondrous Psalm.
OVERVIEW
While this Psalm is a scant seven verses, it is jam-packed with truths.
Psalm 110 was penned by King David and is confirmed by Jesus in Matthew 22:43 where He attributes the Psalm to David. This is extremely important because there are those who deny David as being its author… and that’s truly sad when Jesus himself said it in the New Testament.
It is a messianic psalm, meaning it speaks prophetically to the coming of the Messiah. Most scholars date the psalm around 1000 B.C. during David’s reign.
The major themes of the Psalm are:
It is one of the most often quoted psalms of the New Testament. Below are nine of the 27 direct and indirect references in the New Testament. Can you find the others?
Verse 1 is referenced in Matthew 22:44; Mark 12:36; Luke 20:42–43; Acts 2:34–35; Hebrews 1:13. All of them show Jesus, is greater than David, showing him to be both man and God.
Verses 3 and 4 speaks of Jesus’s followers and how they are and should be volunteers. They are willing volunteers and they are noted for their holiness. Christians are supposed to proclaim the Gospel throughout the world, which is, of course, the Great Commission.
Verse 3 challenges us: Are we serving Christ out of duty, or from a willing and holy heart that delights to share His name?
Verse 4 is referenced in Hebrews 5:6; Hebrews 6:20; Hebrews 7:17, Hebrews 7:21. Paul, the commonly attributed author of Hebrews, builds a case that Jesus is our High Priest and is superior to the Levitical priests because His priestly reign is eternal.
Yahweh (specifically, God the Father) made a pledge that Jesus would be a “forever” priest. It is clear the oath would never be annulled.
God states that Jesus is the priest according to the order of Melchizedek. The personage of Melchizedek is only mentioned once in scripture. It can be found in Genesis 14:18-20. He worships the one, true God. There is no mention of his parents or anything about his genealogy.
The LORD reveals there is another priestly line, one which is eternal. And that is Jesus Christ.
Because of this, you can come boldly before the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16), knowing your High Priest intercedes for you even now.
In verse 5 we see God telling Jesus that He will contend with the Kings of the nations and execute them on the day of His wrath. That’s a sobering and fearful thing to think about, don’t you think?
It reminds us to live each day ready, watching, and faithful, for we do not know when that day will come.
In verses 6 and 7, Jesus will judge the nations. Remembering this Psalm was written a thousand years before Christ was even born, these verses give credence to the book of Revelation, to specifically the Battle of Armageddon when Jesus returns to claim the earth for Himself.
God is long-suffering and gives everyone multiple ways and times to come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. What we choose to do with it is our choice… and that’s where free will comes into play. As a Christian, we know there will be those who will shake their fist at God, even when they suffer the consequences of their choice.
We must remember that God knows who will accept Him and who will not. In 2 Peter 3:9, the Bible tells us that Godwould not have ONE person perish. Dear Reader, if you already belong to Christ, let Psalm 110 call you to live as a holy volunteer in His kingdom, serving with boldness and joy. And if you haven’t yet surrendered your life to Jesus, don’t delay—today is the day of salvation. (2 Corinthians 6:2).