(Adapted from a sermon of the same title from Psalm 110 March 1, 2026)
Most people probably do not think of Psalm 110 first. Of the 150 Psalms, it is the one most often mentioned in the New Testament. The fact that it is not well known makes its importance even more interesting. Why is this Psalm talked about so much in the New Testament?
The quotes we remember often come from stories, songs, and moments that have shaped us, leaving their mark on our collective memory and even defining a generation.
In the New Testament, this Psalm helps us understand the gospel correctly. Besides being the most used and most frequently cited Psalm in the New Testament, it is also one of only three places in the Bible where Melchizedek is mentioned.
Which also begs the question: who is Melchizedek, and why is the Psalm that mentions him the most-used Psalm in the NT?
First, David wrote this Psalm, but it is not really about him. This type of Psalm is called a Messianic Psalm, which means it is about the Messiah. Another example is Psalm 22, which Jesus quoted while he was on the cross. It starts with “My God my God, why have you forsaken me?”
Psalm 110 shows a ruler who is all-powerful, who rules, brings people back to God, and judges.
This ruler holds all authority, serving as King, priest, and judge over everyone.
- He is all-powerful
[1] The LORD says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.”
This cannot be about David. David cannot say that the Lord says to my Lord… because that would imply that God says to God… and David was a man, an incredible servant of the Lord, but not divine.
This all-powerful ruler is ruling from the right hand of God. This means he shares God’s power and authority. Psalm 110 says the Messiah will sit at God’s right hand and rule until all his enemies are defeated.
And yet there is more to his reign.
2. He reigns spiritually
[2] The LORD sends forth from Zion your mighty scepter. Rule in the midst of your enemies! [3] Your people will offer themselves freely on the day of your power, in holy garments from the womb of the morning, the dew of your youth will be yours.
So, this ruler not only sits on a heavenly throne; he rules even while surrounded by his enemies. His people follow him, sensing his presence with them, living as his kingdom even among opposition.
His subjects follow Him freely, living holy lives for Him each day.
3. He is a priest who is better than Aaron and his descendants.
[4] The LORD has sworn and will not change his mind, “You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.”
He not only rules his people from heaven but is also a priest, unlike Aaron and his family. Aaron was Moses’ brother, and he and all of his descendants were established as the priests of Israel.
Here, we see that this King, who is also a priest, differs from Aaron. He is greater and more important. Why? Because in Israel, Abraham was seen as the father of the nation. No one was more important to the people than God. God made a promise to Abraham that started their nation.
At this point, the narrative introduces Melchizedek and his significance.
In Genesis 14:17-20, Abraham learned that his relative, Lot, had been taken captive. And, he took 318 of his men, pursued them, conquered them, and then took Lot back with him. And, it is upon his return that we read Genesis 14:17,
[17] After his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley). [18] And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (He was priest of God Most High.) [19] And he blessed him and said, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; [20] and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!” And Abram gave him a tenth of everything.
Melchizedek was the King of Salem and a priest of the Most High God. God blessed Abraham through Melchizedek, but notice that Abraham gave a tenth of everything he had to Melchizedek. This is why the Messiah is called a priest like Melchizedek. First, he is a priest forever, unlike Aaron or his family. Second, he is a better priest and King because Abraham gave him a tenth, not the other way around.
Here, with this reference, we see that the Messiah is greater than Abraham, and we already know he is greater than David. This means his rule is stronger than David’s, and his sacrifice is better than the ones made by following the law. The sacrifices made by Aaron and his family were offered by people who would die, so their effect did not last forever. As we see in the last few verses, he is also the judge.
4. He will judge all nations.
[5] The Lord is at your right hand; he will shatter kings on the day of his wrath. [6] He will execute judgment among the nations, filling them with corpses; he will shatter chiefs over the wide earth.[7] He will drink from the brook by the way; therefore he will lift up his head.
This King, who sits at God’s right hand, rules over his people, has made a complete and lasting sacrifice for them, and will also come back to judge all nations.
The Messiah, the one promised to Abraham who would be a blessing to all nations, is also the judge of all nations.
Verse one means what it says: his enemies will be made a footstool for his feet. They will be completely overcome.
Just as he fully rules, saves, pays for sins, and forgives, the Messiah will also fully judge all nations.
Now, back to the quotes and songs that we remember, and the way that they bring to mind a story, a moment, or even a feeling.
This Psalm is the most used in the NT for a reason: it refers to Jesus. To help make sense of who Jesus is, the NT cites Psalm 110.
Jesus is the divine and all-powerful king, priest, and judge that Psalm 110 is speaking of.
Looking back at Jesus through the lens of all that God has said and done, Psalm 110 finally has a name for its king.
Jesus is the One seated at the right hand of the Father, waiting for his enemies to be made a He has ascended.
Jesus is the King reigning in the hearts of His people in the midst of the enemy.
1 Peter 3:18-22
[18] For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, [19] in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, [20] because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. [21] Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, [22] who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.
In light of the events in Iran and Israel, some are asking if this means Jesus is about to return. As far as his return, Jesus gave us clear direction:
Matthew 24:3-14
[3] As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” [4] And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. [5] For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. [6] And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. [7] For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. [8] All these are but the beginning of the birth pains. [9] “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. [10] And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. [11] And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. [12] And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. [13] But the one who endures to the end will be saved. [14] And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
Truths we know about the end-times:
- Jesus will return
- Tribulations will come
- We are called to endure and be faithful, and proclaim the gospel in the midst of his enemies.
Jesus is the Priest who has made a full and final atoning sacrifice for sin.
Hebrews 7:26-28
[26] For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. [27] He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself. [28] For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.
Truths about Jesus:
- He is Perfect
- He is higher than Aaron
- He is eternal
- He sat down, because the sacrifice and work of the cross is finished.
Jesus is the Judge who will return to judge all nations and pour out His wrath in the end.
Revelation 19:11-16
[11] 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. [12] 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. [13] He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. [14] And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. [15] 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. [16] On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.
So, the issue isn’t if Jesus is Lord; the issue is when you bow your knee in surrender and submission to Him.
It’s not a matter of if you will bow your knee to Jesus; it’s a matter of when you bow your knee to Him.
Philippians 2:5-11,
[5] Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, [6] who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, [7] but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. [8] And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. [9] Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, [10] so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, [11] and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Catch that, every knee will bow, because he will return and execute His righteous judgment.
The issue that we face is when we bow. We can bow willingly in humble surrender to the one true King, priest, and judge… or we can wait and bow with the rest of the nations he comes to judge.
There are some who teach that you can benefit from the cross of Christ without surrendering to Him as Lord. But the idea that you would be saved by confessing Christ as Lord without living like Christ is Lord is unbiblical.
Jesus does not deserve a half-hearted attempt at following Him; He deserves our full and total surrender and commitment.
“So in order to follow Christ we have to deny ourselves, to crucify ourselves, to lose ourselves. The full, inexorable demand of Jesus Christ is now laid bare. He does not call us to a sloppy half-heartedness, but to a vigorous, absolute commitment. He calls us to make him our Lord.“ John Stott
Living for Christ as Lord of your life:
Jesus is on the throne, and he rules in the hearts and minds of his people, even when they are surrounded by his enemies.
- Submit and surrender your life to God.
- Commit to learning from Jesus and unlearning the ways of the world.
- Deny yourself daily and do what you learn from Jesus.
- Preach the gospel to yourself and to others daily.
Jesus does not deserve a half-hearted attempt at following Him; He deserves our full and total surrender and commitment.