Psalm 110
Read Psalm 110
Helpful Background Information:
In our sermon passage, Mark 12:35-37, Jesus asks the ultimate question, which needs to be asked, “Who, exactly, is the Messiah?” To make his question even more striking, Jesus goes back to Psalm 110: a psalm which the Jews during Jesus’ time and before overwhelmingly saw as referring to the Messiah.
Psalm 110, as attested by Jesus, was written by King David by the direction of the Holy Spirit. This was a coronation hymn, which would’ve been sung or chanted at the inauguration of the Kings of Judah and Israel. The first line is important to understanding the true, greater meaning of the psalm. “The LORD said to my Lord.” When you see LORD, all capitals, this is the holy, covenant name of God most high. The lowercase Lord is the term Adonai, which means sovereign one.
However, this Adonai cannot be referring to a mere human king. First, David himself, who was the high king of Israel, calls him my Lord. This person is above the earthly king and is sovereign over David. Second, the Kingdoms of Judah and Israel would eventually die out due to their sinful disobedience, yet this Adonai is promised an eternal and successful rule, a promise which God will “not take back” (Psalm 110:4). For these reasons, the Jews before Christ pinned their hopes on the Messiah, the Son of David who would truly fulfill this Psalm.
Jesus, in discussing this Psalm, makes the point: the Messiah would not only be David’s Son, but he is David’s Lord who will reign eternally, who possesses the authority to judge the nations, and will be victorious. The only response to Jesus Christ is to worship him, to acknowledge his supreme authority, and call on him as Lord. The scribes, instead of debating the Lord, should’ve been falling on their knees before the Lord of glory.
Reflection Questions:
How does knowing this psalm was a coronation hymn shape the way you read it? More specifically, how does this help you understand Jesus as King?
Which aspect of Christ revealed in Psalm 110 is most striking to you: his eternal reign, his authority, his role as judge, or his victory? Why?
Are there areas of your life where you relate to Jesus more as a helpful teacher than as the sovereign Lord? What might need to change?