110:title Of David. A psalm See note on 3:title.

David and the Psalm Titles

110:1 A declaration of Yahweh The Hebrew phrase used here, ne'um yhwh, refers to an announcement of Yahweh; the word ne'um can mean “oracle” or “utterance.” The expression is common in the prophetic books and marks Psa 110:1–3 as a prophetic utterance.

my lord The identification of adoni (“my lord”) is crucial to the psalm, and it determines how the psalm is used in a worship context. David may prophetically see himself as carrying on a divinely appointed role; in this case, he composed it as a song that the people sing regarding him as they celebrate in worship of God. Alternatively, David may prophetically see a future individual within his lineage receiving a divinely appointed role; in this case, he composed the psalm in his own voice in anticipation of that person.

Sit God, seated as a divine ruler, tells His chosen representative to sit beside Him in a place of honor and authority while He arranges everything.

at my right hand A position of honor and authority. See Ps 101:5.

footstool Portrays great humiliation for the king’s enemies. See 99:5 and note.

110:2 Yahweh will send out God’s power and initiative expands His representative’s territory.

from Zion The center of God’s ruling power on earth in the ancient Israelite mindset. See note on 20:2.

scepter An emblem of a king’s ruling power and authority.

the midst of your enemies Illustrates the expansionistic nature of God’s rule. God sends His representative to expand His territory beyond its present limits.

110:3 will volunteer The army of God’s representative will be faithful, trusting volunteers who believe in their cause; they are not frightened draftees (see Deut 20:1–9).

your power The term chayil can refer to “power,” “wealth,” or “an army.”

holy splendor The army of God’s appointed ruler has a sacred task.

the womb of the dawn The Hebrew phrase used here, rechem mishchar (meaning “the womb of the dawn”), may refer to the “dawn” of the new king’s rule, which will “birth” a holy army and the expansion of God’s territory.

the dew of your youth The images of tal (“dew”) and yalduth (“youth”) both connote life and vigor.

110:4 has sworn The word shava' holds the sense of “to promise,” or “pledge.”

he will not change his mind God will not reconsider His commitments and path of action.

a priest A priest was one with the proper authority to minister before God in His sacred places.

Melchizedek A priest of God from before the time of Moses and Aaron, and thus outside of the hereditary framework of the priesthood (see 99:6 and note). He blessed Abraham and also received a tithe from him (see Gen 14:18–20).

at your right hand This seems to refer to the Lord referenced in v. 1 being at the right hand of Yahweh—a point which has already been made in v. 1.

the day of his anger Although the military actions seem to depend primarily on power, v. 6 will introduce the idea of God’s judgment, which implies an element of justice.

110:6 He will judge Involves a high degree of justice.

the nations Refers to geographic territories outside Israel; it emphasizes the extent of the appointed ruler’s dominion.

110:7 He will drink This seems to indicate that the third-person pronouns in vv. 5–7 refer to God’s chosen ruler, not Yahweh Himself. Yahweh provides water for His chosen agent as he proceeds on his mission.

the stream by the road Indicates that he is zealous and does not stop to relax in a camp.

he will lift up his head A lifted head was symbolic of both victory and God’s favor. God’s chosen ruler will complete his mission vigorously and thereby attain honor.