David's Lord

This is the most quoted Psalm in the New Testament. It is referenced over twenty times. It’s mentioned in the gospels, Acts, and the Epistles. It is a Messianic Psalm. Even the Jewish people have historically viewed it as Messianic. Written by David, it describes a coming ruler who will conquer the world. As we break it down, we will be referencing the New Testament a good bit. There is a lot of commentary on this Psalm in the New Testament. That makes our job in interpreting it a lot easier.

There are only seven verses. It’s a short Psalm. But there is much meat in it. My approach will be to show you what it says about the Messiah. I’m going to pull six characteristics about the Messiah from these verses.

1. The Messiah is eternal (1).

Verse 1 is deep. There are three people:

The LORD

David

David’s Lord

Some may wonder if the second Lord is an earthly title. Not specifically God, but a lord in a human sense. We know this: David is the King. That means there would be no greater human on earth than David. Therefore, he would not address any earthly being as his Lord.

The difficulty of this text is pointed out by Jesus in Matthew 22:41-46. Listen to what it says:

Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question, saying, “What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?” They said to him, “The son of David.” He said to them, “How is it then that David, in the Spirit, calls him Lord, saying,

“‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet”’?

If then David calls him Lord, how is he his son?” And no one was able to answer him a word, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions.

Jesus point is the Messiah would be the son of David yet David called Him Lord.

The religious leaders could not stand Jesus because He made Himself God’s Son, equal with God. But that is what the OT said He would be. Isa. 11:1 says that the Messiah would be a branch that comes from Jesse and 11:10 says He would be the root of Jesse. Rev. 22:16 Jesus says “I am the root and the offspring of David!” Jesus says David came forth from Me (creation) and I came forth from David (incarnation). Jesus point was that the Messiah would also be God incarnate worthy of worship and praise. That was the problem they had with JESUS. They needed to understand who the Messiah was. He would not merely be the Son of Man He would also be the Son of God. The Pharisees, scribes or no one else could answer the question of how Messiah could be David’s Son and David’s Lord.

2. The Messiah is all powerful (1-2).

There are several things we can look at to see the omnipotence of the Messiah in verses 1-2.

The right hand of God- “Sit at My right hand” This is the place of authority.

“Until I make your enemies my footstool”. It was a practice for victorious Kings, military leaders to put their feet upon the necks of those they conquered (Joshua 10:24). The symbolism was one of complete submission.

“your mighty scepter” The scepter was a symbol of authority. We remember Moses’ rod in his dealing with Egypt.

“Rule in the midst of your enemies” This shows a conquering of His enemies.

In his great sermon after Pentecost Peter quoted the second part of verse 1 (Acts 2:34-35). He told the people that they crucified the Messiah David spoke of. Many were moved to repentance and saved.

The writer of Hebrews used verse 1 to prove that Jesus is not an angel but is much greater than the angels. He said in Hebrews 1:13:

And to which of the angels has He ever said sit at My right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet?”

We look forward to the day when every enemy of Jesus will be conquered. The Bible says in Philippians 2:

at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Notice where this Messiah comes from. He comes from Zion. He comes from Israel.

3. The Messiah has an army (3).

How do they serve their Commander?

Freely. They offer themselves for service. There is no draft. Their love for the Lord compels them.

“on the day of your power” This is the return of Christ.

“in holy garments” dressed for a holy battle.

Listen to these verses from revelation 19 describing the return of Jesus:

Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.

The Bible says when Jesus returns an angelic army will be with Him. Matthew 25:31 says:

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne.”

Also notice how big His army is. It is as the dew of the dawn. As dew covers the earth in the morning so shall the army of Christ cover this world.

We look forward to that wonderful day. But what about now? Christ has an army on this earth. We are called to go forth into all the world preaching the gospel. Are we offering ourselves freely to the service of Jesus?

4. The Messiah has a priestly function (4).

The book of Hebrews fleshes this thought out. The writer argues that Jesus is a greater priest because He is not an earthly one. The Levitical priests traced their toots back to Aaron. Christ is a priest by the eternal decree of God.

Melchizedek is introduced to us in Genesis 14. Abraham paid tithes to Him. The Levitical priesthood did not come until much later. As well, the Levitical priesthood ceased to be necessary once Christ came. On top of that the Levitical priesthood can no longer function because there is no longer a Temple.

The larger point being made in this text is that the Messiah would be a priestly King. He would be both King and priest. In Israel those offices were separate. The Messiah, because of His surpassing worth, is able to hold both offices.

How could a son of David be qualified to be a priest? David was of the tribe of Judah. Priests had to come from the tribe of Levi. Jesus is qualified because He belongs to an older and greater order of priesthood.

As our High priest the Messiah is:

Our Mediator

Our Sacrifice

His sacrifice for our sins was so great that it only had to made one time.

5. The Messiah will judge the world (5-6).

He will shatter kings on the day of His wrath.

“Kings” The most powerful will bow. To “shatter” means to destroy. It reminds us of Psalm 2 where it says the Messiah will dash His enemies in pieces like a potters vessel.

Notice it says He will fill the nations with corpses. He will shatter chiefs over the wide earth. Christ is not coming in humility like He did the first time. He is coming to execute judgment on the earth. No one can escape. No amount of weaponry, ingenuity, or power will help his enemies.

“the Lord is at your right hand’ shows that both the Father and the Son are in agreement to the judgment of Jesus.

John 5:27 says of the Father:

And He has given Him authority to execute judgment, because He is the Son of Man.

There are entire nations that reject Christ. A nation is nothing to Christ. They can all join in a great confederation, and He is not threatened in the least.

When Christ returns His enemies are in trouble.

6. The Messiah will become a man (7).

In verse 7 we have a picture of a general who has led His army into battle. In need of refreshment, He takes time to get Himself a drink. The drink refreshes Him. He lifts His head.

I’m not suggesting that Jesus will get tired when He returns and judges the world. I do think there is a beautiful picture of the incarnation here. This great King and Priest will take upon human flesh. Because of that He will experiences some of the limitations of our humanity. For instance, He will get thirsty.

We remember Jesus at the well with the Samaritan woman (Give me a drink).

We remember Jesus on the cross (I thirst).

There was times Jesus grew weary and was refreshed.

In the garden when He struggled with calvary. The Bible says an angel came and strengthened Him (Luke 22:43).

When Jesus was tempted by the devil in the wilderness for 40 days. Angels came and ministered to Him (Matthew 4:11).

It is true that our Savior struggled at times. But now His head has been lifted up. He has been refreshed. On His head is a crown. He is our great King who has won the battle against wickedness.

What a beautiful Psalm this is. It is filled with truth about Jesus.

He is the promised Messiah.

He is our sympathetic High Priest.

He is our conquering King.