The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
Read it in contextA Prophetic Psalm of David
Start reading at Psalms 110:1 (Psalms 110:1 to Psalms 110:7).
Psalm 110 is a complete and distinct prophetic psalm attributed to David.
110:1The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
110:2The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.
110:3Thy 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.
110:4The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.
110:5The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath.
110:6He shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill the places with the dead bodies; he shall wound the heads over many countries.
110:7He shall drink of the brook in the way: therefore shall he lift up the head.
Study content, not yet reviewed.
Who
Who wrote the book? Multiple writers contributed to Psalms, including David, Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, and Moses; some psalms have no named attribution. The traditional Hebrew headings distinguish many of these contributions. Biblical references: Acts 2:25; Acts 4:25. book background
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Psalms 110:1–110:7): The psalm reports the LORD's oracle to the king called my Lord, followed by words concerning his rule and priestly appointment. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? Israel's worshipping community, including individuals and assemblies using the psalms for prayer, praise, lament, and instruction. A particular psalm may speak directly to God, to the congregation, or to another group. Biblical references: Psalms 22:22; Psalms 78:1; Psalms 100:1. book background
What
What is the main event or theme? The main theme is a divine declaration from The LORD to 'my Lord', commanding 'my Lord' to sit at His right hand until all enemies are subdued. It is a prophetic utterance concerning future rule and victory.
What is God revealing? God is revealing His sovereign plan for 'my Lord' to be exalted to a position of authority at His right hand, and for 'my Lord's' enemies to be utterly defeated and brought into subjection.
What is the literary style? The literary style is Hebrew poetry, characteristic of worship literature. book background
When
When was it written? This psalm was written by David, likely during his lifetime, around 1000 B.C. The collection of Psalms was assembled between c. 1400 and 450 B.C. book background
When does the event take place? The event described, where 'my Lord' sits at the right hand of The LORD until enemies are made a footstool, refers to a future time from David's perspective, extending until the complete subjugation of all enemies.
Where
Where did it happen? The passage does not specify a physical location for this divine declaration. stated in the text
Where was the author located? The author, David, was located in Israel. book background
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in A Prophetic Psalm of David (Psalms 110:1 to Psalms 110:7).
Start reading at Psalms 110:1. Psalm 110 is a complete and distinct prophetic psalm attributed to David.
How
How does it fit the broader context? Psalm 110 is a messianic psalm, a prophetic declaration concerning a future king and priest who would be exalted by God. It sets the stage for understanding the ultimate authority and victory of this figure. interpretation
How does it point to Christ? This psalm directly points to Christ. Jesus Himself quoted this psalm, identifying 'my Lord' as the Christ, David's Lord, who would sit at the right hand of God. The New Testament consistently applies this prophecy to Jesus' ascension and His present reign until all His enemies are subdued. interpretation
How do I apply it today? Believers today can find assurance in God's ultimate victory and the supreme authority of the one whom God has exalted. It encourages trust that God will bring all things into subjection according to His divine plan, offering hope in the face of present challenges and opposition.
Cited: Psalms 110:1, Matthew 22:42-46, Mark 12:35-37, Luke 22:41, Mark 16:19, Acts 2:34, Ephesians 1:20-22, Hebrews 12:2, 1 Peter 3:22, 1 Corinthians 15:25, Hebrews 1:3, Hebrews 1:13, Hebrews 10:12-13
Who wrote it, and how we know
David and others, including Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, and MosesNamed in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe superscriptions name their writers: David most often, and also Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, and Moses. The New Testament quotes psalms as David's words. Psalm 3:1Psalm 90:1Acts 2:25Acts 4:25
Early traditionJewish and Christian tradition preserves the superscriptions as ancient.
What is debatedSome scholars regard certain superscriptions as later additions. The collection was assembled over centuries.
Old Testament prophecy and New Testament fulfillment
The notes distinguish explicit fulfillment statements from other explicit New Testament applications. They do not assume every detail of the surrounding prophecy has already been fulfilled.
Peter cites the psalm in explaining Jesus' exaltation, and Hebrews applies it to the Son. These passages do not state that every enemy has already been subdued.
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Psalms 110
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Psalms is a collection of prayers and songs with multiple attributed writers and many unspecified occasions. Read each psalm as a poetic unit and distinguish a speaker's lament, petition, vow, and praise. The five-book arrangement does not make all psalms one continuous speech. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement. A quoted heading uses the opening KJV words of that stanza; the speaker and the psalm as a whole still govern its meaning.
FocusThanksgiving, pilgrimage, and concluding praise
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The final collection gathers varied songs, the songs of degrees, and concluding calls to praise. Each psalm should first be read in its own poetic movement.
FocusThanksgiving, pilgrimage, and concluding praise
Connection to the wholeThe final collection gathers varied songs, the songs of degrees, and concluding calls to praise. Each psalm should first be read in its own poetic movement.
FocusThanksgiving, pilgrimage, and concluding praise
Connection to the wholeThe final collection gathers varied songs, the songs of degrees, and concluding calls to praise. Each psalm should first be read in its own poetic movement.
interpretation
“The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through…”
FocusThanksgiving, pilgrimage, and concluding praise
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The final collection gathers varied songs, the songs of degrees, and concluding calls to praise. Each psalm should first be read in its own poetic movement.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Psalms
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Psalms is a collection of prayers and songs with multiple attributed writers and many unspecified occasions. Read each psalm as a poetic unit and distinguish a speaker's lament, petition, vow, and praise. The five-book arrangement does not make all psalms one continuous speech.
Connection to the wholeThe opening collection brings individual and communal prayer into the setting introduced by Psalms 1 and 2, ending with a doxology.
Connection to the wholeThe second collection continues varied prayers and songs and closes with royal prayer and a doxology; its individual psalms retain distinct voices and occasions.
FocusThe sanctuary, the nation, and covenant questions
Connection to the wholeThis collection gives prominent space to communal distress and worship, ending with the tension between the Davidic promise and the king's humiliation.
Connection to the wholeThese psalms include reflection on human frailty, the LORD's kingship, worship, and Israel's history, and close with a doxology.
FocusThanksgiving, pilgrimage, and concluding praise
Connection to the wholeThe final collection gathers varied songs, the songs of degrees, and concluding calls to praise. Each psalm should first be read in its own poetic movement.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.