The Greatest Psalm
What would you say is the greatest Psalm? Psalm 23? Psalm 22, the Psalm of the cross? Psalm 16 is twice used in the New Testament as a Psalm of the Resurrection. What is the greatest Psalm? I think it is Psalm 110.
What’s so great about Psalm 110?
- In many ways, the heart of New Testament doctrine revolves around Psalm 110.
- Every time Psalm 110 is cited in the Bible, it is applied to Jesus.
- Psalm 110 is the most quoted Psalm in the New Testament. Many scholars count over 30 references to this one Psalm in the New Testament. Just verse 1 of Psalm 110 is cited about 25 times. The Psalm is cited ten times in Hebrews. It is alluded to in Romans, 1 Corinthains, Ephesians, Colossians, 1 Peter and Revelation.
- Martin Luther said, “This beautiful Psalm, therefore, is the very core and quintessence of the whole Scripture. No other Psalm prophesies as abundantly and completely about Christ.”
- For context, David is the author, but not the subject. He is neither the application (it’s not for him) nor the subject (it’s not about him.) David is writing under inspiration about someone else. The Lord never said to King David, “Sit at my right hand.”
- All those references in the New Testament about Jesus sitting at the right hand of the Father, draw from Psalm 110. The doctrine of the ascension and enthronement of the Son of God is first prophesied in this Psalm.
- I think that what Psalm 110 is, is a letter from the Father to the Son. It’s like a love letter, hidden in the Scriptures! Now think about this: if the Father in heaven wanted to get a letter to His Son while the Son was on earth, how would he get it to Him? What mailperson would deliver a letter the Son could read over and over, and be encouraged by it? A mother can tuck a letter of encouragement in her son’s suitcase as he heads off to college or the Marines. The Father tucked His letter in a place He knew the Son would look – the Scriptures.
- Psalm 110:1, literally, “The oracle of Yahweh.” Oracle is literally, ne’um, it means to whisper. It is like God is whispering in Jesus’ ear.
- Jesus rested his heart in this Psalm. Gave him personal comfort.
The Hypostatic Union:
Jesus used this Psalm, this Word from His Father, when he was in a serious fight. Matthew 22:42-46. That’s when you call on your dad, isn’t it? When you’re in a fight.
Matthew 22:42-46, notes:
- Jesus asked whose son the Christ would be. They figured this wasn’t a hard question, they said the Messiah would be the Son of David.
- Jesus’ question: How could the Messiah be the Son of David, if in Psalm 110, the Messiah is also David’s Lord? More directly, Jesus is asking: How can a son be the boss of a parent? If David is the father of the Messiah, how can the Messiah be His Lord?
Jesus’ logic is simple:
- David is the author. (They would agree.)
- Psalm 110 was inspired by the Holy Spirit. (They would agree.)
- Question: How can the Messiah be both David’s son and David’s Lord?
- Their response was to remain silent!
The answer to Jesus’ question was what we theologically call the “hypostatic union.” It is the doctrine that Jesus has both a human nature and a divine nature. He is both man and God, fully. He is not half God and half man; he is fully God and fully man.
So, the answer to Jesus’ question would be: As a human, Jesus is the son of David. But as God, He is David’s Lord.
These are the great theological minds of Jesus’ day that he was arguing with. But none of them knew to raise their hand and go, “Wait, are you talking about the hypostatic union?”
In Psalm 110, God Made 5 Big Promises to
Promise #1: I (Psalm 110:1)
- That the Father “exalted” the Son, had him sit at His right hand, is a sign of great love. Who do you want near you? People you love.
- Hebrews 1:13 quotes Psalm 110, and asks what Angel God ever asked to sit at His right hand? The answer is – none! God did not invite any angel of any human to sit at his right hand, it is a position that belongs solely to the Son.
Promise #2: I’ll (Psalm 110:1-2)
Matthew 26:63-65
- Caiphas asked if Jesus is the Messiah. (He charged him “under oath.) This is a serious moment. The Son of God stands before the High priest of Israel and answers the most important question ever asked!
- Jesus’ answer was, “Yes, it is as you say. But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” He is quoting Psalm 110.
- Jesus said this staring right into Caiphas face! As if God is whispering in his heart: They mighty kill you, but one day even Caiaphas will die and be buried. But your tomb will be empty, and you’ll be beside me.
- Caiphas tore his clothes, declared that what Jesus had said was blasphemy. Because Jesus was declaring Himself equal to God. The crowd declared in that argument that Jesus was worthy of death. (For applying Psalm 110 to Himself!)
- Interestingly, a few years ago they found Caiphas tomb, with his dead ashes in it. However, the tomb of Jesus stands empty.
- On the worst day of his life, Jesus rested his heart in the arms of God’s protection.
Joshua 10:24
“Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool.” (Psalm 110:1)
- The idea of enemies being a “footstool” goes back to Joshua, who in his battle with Lord Zeddick, king of Jerusalem, and four other kings, captured them and brought them out of a cave.
- After Joshua secured the five kings, he put his feet on their necks and executed them.
- The idea that the Messiah will make a “footstool” of his enemies, has this idea behind it. His enemies will be completely subdued.
Psalm 110:2 The Lord sends forth from Zion your mighty scepter. Rule amid your enemies.
- Jesus is not a constitutional monarchy. Not like the King of England.
- Right now, Christ rules from God’s throne. It is called his “Session.”
Promise #3: People will (Psalm 110:3)
- When you serve Jesus, you are fulfilling a promise God made to him.
- “Offer themselves freely” literally, “Free will offering.”
- The holy garments mentioned is that His people will be priests. When Jesus comes again (Revelation 19:14), His people come not only riding on horses but wearing the garments of priests.
Promize #4: I have (Psalm 110:4)
- In Israel, the relationship between King and Priest were strictly separate. In America, our Separation of powers is Congress, Courts and Executive branch. In Israel, it was Monarch and Priesthood. The King could never be a priest.
- Twice Kings were severely punished for trying to take the priest role. 2 Chronicles 26:16, Uzziah was given leprosy for trying to enter the Holy of Holies. In 1 Samuel 13:8-14, Saul lost the monarchy because he tried to offer the sacrifices that only a priest could offer.
Jesus is a “priest forever” in the order of “Melchizedek.” (Psalm 110:4)
Melchizedek was the King of Jerusalem during the time of Abraham. (Genesis 14:18) Jesus is not a priest like any of Aaron’s sons. He is a priest like Melchizedek.
- Melchizedek was both a king and a priest. So is Jesus.
- Melchizedek appears in the Bible, seemingly out of nowhere, then disappears. The writer of Hebrews uses this imagery to remind us that Jesus also comes out of nowhere and into nowhere. That is, Jesus is from everlasting to everlasting.
- Jesus would unite the office of King and Priest forever.
Promise #5: Evil (Psalm 110:5-7)
- One day even evil kings will give account before God.
- What does evil do to a sinless man? It deeply grieves him. Jesus is grieved by our sin. He is patient right now, but one day he will bring justice to the earth.
Psalm 110:5, “YHWH is at your right hand…” Earlier Jesus was at the right hand of the Father. Here the Father is at the right hand of the Son as he carries out justice. They are co-equal. Co-Equal.
Psalm 110:7, He will drink from the brook. Even if he slowed to have a drink, he would yet lift his head and finish the work of judgment. There are times it seems like God just stopped bringing good to the earth. Yet, if he ever pauses, he will raise his head again to finish His work.
My Hearts Response – I
- I want to serve him gladly!
- The greatest thing you can do with your life is love Jesus.
William Booth, founder of the Salvation army, was on his death bed. Attorney brought him some papers, “We need him to sign the paper.” They brought it to him and asked him to sign it and seal it. Later, they discovered he had not signed his name. He had simply written, “Jesus.”