Jesus and Psalms 110

by Terry Wane Benton

Jesus is very definitely the figure described and intended by the Holy Spirit. Hebrews 1 is making the argument that Jesus is “so much better than the angels” (Hebrews 1:4) and has “a more excellent name than they.” The Holy Spirit applied Psalms 2:7, 45:6-7, and 110:1f to Jesus. Psalms 110 carries several necessary implications that point to Jesus.

1. Jesus is Lord over David as David speaks of “the Lord said to My Lord” and the Holy Spirit identifies Jesus as that Lord in the Book of Hebrews.
2. David’s Lord (Jesus) would have enemies, but He would win and they would lose. They would be made His footstool.
3. Jesus would be at God’s right hand as Lord and High Priest. He would be a permanent “priest forever” after a different order (Melchizedek).
4. This implied a change of priesthood was coming, one different from the one the Jews had under Aaron (Levitical). Hebrews 7:11f expounds on this implication.
5. This also implies that a change of the Law was coming. The law of Moses called for Levitical priests, but this Psalm implies a change of the Law that would forever give us a priest who did not come from the tribe of Levi.
6. This also implies that a greater law and covenant would come through Jesus.
7. “My people (the church of Christ) shall be volunteers” when David’s Lord takes this position of priest forever. In Israel, you were circumcised involuntarily into the covenant without even knowing God or His Levitical priests. In the Psalms 110 declaration, the people learn of this great priest and His provisions and desire to volunteer themselves into His service. You see this begin to come into play after Jesus conquered death by His personal resurrection, and offered “remission of sins” (what priests do in behalf of people) with 3000 volunteers coming into His service on that great day of Pentecost when Jesus was now seated at the right hand of God (Acts 1-2).

Thus, Psalms 110 is a key predictive Psalm that was put in place by the Holy Spirit and demonstrated the divine wisdom and plan that is marvelously fulfilled only in Jesus Christ of Nazareth!