Our Reigning King, Forever High Priest, and Coming Conquering Judge
Finding lasting satisfaction, unshakable hope, and eternal joy in the goodness of God.
When the world throws everything at us, where can we rest securely? Psalm 110 directs our attention to Jesus Christ, seated at the right hand of God. He is in the place of authority, strength, honor, and power. His enemies oppose Him, but they will not overcome Him. Whatever victories His people do not experience down here, they will have forever with Him.
Psalm 110 is quoted or alluded to in the New Testament more than any other psalm. As we look at how the New Testament authors used this psalm, it is clear that it is about Jesus the Christ (i.e. Acts 2:34-36). This psalm gives us a glorious picture of who Jesus is and what He does for His people. He is David’s Lord and David’s Son, truly God and truly human. He is the King whose rule will be fully and finally displayed, the eternal Priest who intercedes for His people, and the coming Judge who will defeat every enemy. These truths call us to rest in His sufficient sacrifice and draw near for mercy and grace. They also call us to offer ourselves willingly in humble worship, obedience, and service.
See the King at God’s Right Hand
“The LORD says to my Lord: ‘Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool’” (Psalm 110:1). David is writing about a coming descendant, yet he calls Him his Lord. Jesus asked the Pharisees how the Messiah could be both David’s Son and David’s Lord, and they could not answer Him (Matthew 22:41-46). The answer was standing right in front of them. Jesus is the eternal Son of God who took on human flesh and was born into David’s line (John 1:1-3, 14; Revelation 22:16).
Through David’s pen, God gives us the wondrous privilege of hearing what God the Father says to God the Son. Jesus has ascended to the place of all honor, all authority, and all power, now and forever. His enemies becoming His footstool pictures their complete defeat and His absolute victory. He rules in the midst of His enemies. Though we see that in part now as God conquers His enemies and saves them, and subdues evil by the ministry of His Spirit and His church, we do not yet see that victory fully displayed (Hebrews 2:8). But when He comes again, we will. The opposition we see around us cannot overturn the authority of the King seated at God’s right hand.
Rest in His Finished Work
Jesus did not die because His enemies defeated Him. His death was the plan of God to redeem a people from this world of sinners. All of us have sinned, and our nature rebels against God as we insist on doing our own thing. But Jesus, truly God and truly human, offered Himself as the sufficient sacrifice for everyone who trusts in Him. After offering that single sacrifice for sins, He was resurrected from death and sat down at the right hand of God (Hebrews 10:12–14).
His work is done, and it was done well. We do not add to His sacrifice; we rest in what He has accomplished. He is our Advocate and Intercessor before the Father, and in Him we are forgiven and justified before the holy God. When people, circumstances, or the pressures of this world come against us, we can rest securely in our sufficient Savior. Jesus is at the Father’s right hand interceding for His people, and we are safe in Him (Romans 8:34).
Draw Near to Your Forever Priest
“The LORD has sworn and will not change his mind, ‘You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek’” (Psalm 110:4). God emphasizes the certainty of this promise: He has sworn, and He will not change His mind. Jesus holds both the kingship and the priesthood, just as Melchizedek served as both king and priest (see Hebrews 7). Unlike the Levitical priests, whose service ended when they died, Jesus holds His priesthood permanently. He always lives to make intercession for those who draw near to God through Him (Hebrews 7:25). As our Great High Priest who holds His priesthood permanently, Jesus is greater than the Levitical priests. Forever, He pleads His once for all sacrifice for sins as the only sacrifice able to deal with our sins permanently, something that wasn't achieved by any human priest or the sacrifices they offered.
Believer, hold fast to your confession of Christ, because salvation is found nowhere else. Your High Priest understands your struggles and gives mercy and grace when you need forgiveness, strength to fight temptation, and faithfulness to endure. He intercedes on the basis of His own sacrifice, pleading His blood on your behalf. Go to Him in humble confidence, just as Hebrews 4:14–16 invites you to do. When trouble hits, rest in the security that God has made an oath: Jesus is your forever Priest, and He will not change His mind.
Serve the King Who Will Conquer
Jesus is near to His people, intimate with them, and tender toward them. But He is more than a buddy or a pal. He is God, King over all, and Lord. The proper response to such a King is willing and humble honor, submission, worship, obedience, and service. Psalm 110:3 pictures His people in great numbers (like the dew of the morning) offering themselves freely for service to their King, set apart in holiness for Him, vigorous in youthful strength and vitality, fit for the King's battle. Or it may be that it pictures our Messiah King Jesus as never-ending in strength and beauty. Maybe it's helpful to see it as referring to our holy, glorious King whose power will never tire leading His people who reflect His holiness, beauty, and strength and who willingly serve Him.
The final verses show that this King will deal with all opposition, rebellion, and lawlessness. What a comfort to know that Christ Jesus will one day deal with evil and corruption while His people enjoy His forever mercy and grace. Our only refuge from that judgment is trusting in Jesus, His sacrificial atonement, and His triumphant resurrection. God is patient toward sinners in this time of grace, but His judgment will come. His enemies will bow through judgment, while His willing servants bow voluntarily (Philippians 2:6-11). Which will you be? Which will those in your sphere of influence be? Who in your life needs to hear about Jesus, the Great King and Great High Priest, that they may submit to Him in repentance and faith?
Questions for Reflection
- How does seeing Jesus seated at God’s right hand change the way you view the opposition and uncertainty around you?
- Where are you struggling to rest in Christ’s sufficient sacrifice and His intercession for you?
- What need, temptation, or struggle should you bring to your sympathetic High Priest in humble confidence?
- Does your response to Jesus reflect both His tenderness toward you and His holiness and authority over you?
- Who in your life needs to hear that refuge from God’s judgment is found only in Jesus Christ?
Carry This Into the Week
I want to encourage you to keep these truths before you this week: If you are in Christ, He is your reigning King and your forever High Priest. He is the One who will finally defeat every enemy. When this world comes against you, rest in His finished work and go to Him for the mercy and grace you need. Offer yourself willingly in worship, obedience, and service to your holy King. And think about who needs you to plead with them to trust in Jesus. One day every knee will bow—may we bow willingly now and urge others to do the same.
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