Tap any verse number for what that verse means.
1The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
2The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.
3Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.
4The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.
5The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath.
6He shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill the places with the dead bodies; he shall wound the heads over many countries.
7He shall drink of the brook in the way: therefore shall he lift up the head.
Understand This
Psalm 110, explained
What Psalm 110 is saying
Psalm 110 is the most frequently quoted Old Testament text in the New Testament, a royal oracle in which YHWH addresses the Davidic king ('my Lord') with two divine decrees: enthronement at God's right hand and appointment as an eternal priest after the order of Melchizedek. The psalm envisions the king's enemies as a footstool and describes a final, decisive day of divine wrath.
The background behind it
The psalm reflects pre-exilic royal theology, likely composed for a coronation or enthronement ceremony. The reference to Melchizedek (Gen 14:18) is unique in the Psalter and connects Jerusalem's priesthood to pre-Israelite Jebusite traditions. Jesus cites this psalm in Mark 12:36 to challenge Pharisaic assumptions about the Messiah.
Themes running underneath
The fusion of kingship and priesthood in one figure transcends the normal Israelite separation of these offices and anticipates the messianic synthesis. The 'right hand' motif signifies supreme authority delegated by God. Christian theology identifies the fulfillment in Christ's ascension and heavenly intercession.
Why it still matters
This psalm provides the foundational framework for understanding Christ's present reign and priestly ministry. It challenges believers to consider what it means that the risen Lord currently exercises both royal authority and priestly intercession on their behalf.
Scripture text: King James Version — public domain.