The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.
Read it in contextA Royal-Messianic Psalm
Start reading at Psalms 110:1 (Psalms 110:1 to Psalms 110:7).
The entire Psalm 110 forms a single prophetic unit concerning the Messiah's enthronement, priesthood, and reign.
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 the LORD's divine decree to send forth the Messiah's powerful rule from Zion, enabling Him to reign victoriously amidst His enemies, and His eternal priesthood.
What is God revealing? God is revealing the future reign of the Messiah, who will exercise divine power and authority from Zion, ruling over His enemies, and His eternal priesthood after the order of Melchizedek.
What is the literary style? The literary style is Hebrew poetry, specifically a royal-messianic psalm.
When
When was it written? This psalm, attributed to David, was likely written around 1000 B.C. The collection of Psalms was compiled between approximately 1400 and 450 B.C.
When does the event take place? The events described are prophetic, referring to the future enthronement, reign, and judgment of the Messiah, which began with His ascension and will culminate in His full establishment of His kingdom.
Where
Where did it happen? The "rod of thy strength" is sent "out of Zion" (Jerusalem), signifying the origin of the Messiah's authority and rule. The Messiah is seated at the right hand of God (heavenly realm), and His rule extends "in the midst of thine enemies" (earthly realm).
Where was the author located? The author, David, was located in Israel, likely Jerusalem.
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in A Royal-Messianic Psalm (Psalms 110:1 to Psalms 110:7).
Start reading at Psalms 110:1. The entire Psalm 110 forms a single prophetic unit concerning the Messiah's enthronement, priesthood, and reign.
How
How does it fit the broader context? Psalm 110 is a pivotal messianic psalm, prophesying the Messiah's divine authority, eternal priesthood, and ultimate victory over all enemies. It is foundational for understanding the nature of Christ's reign and His role as both King and Priest. interpretation
How does it point to Christ? This psalm is one of the most direct prophecies of Jesus Christ in the Old Testament. "My Lord" (Psalms 110:1) refers to Jesus, who, after His resurrection and ascension, was seated at the right hand of God the Father (Acts 2:34-36). The "rod of thy strength" (Psalms 110:2) represents His divine authority and power, which He exercises from Zion (the spiritual Jerusalem, the church) through the preaching of the Gospel (Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 2:34-37). He is currently ruling "in the midst of thine enemies," awaiting the final subjugation of all opposition. interpretation
How do I apply it today? Believers today are called to acknowledge and submit to the sovereign rule of Jesus Christ, who is actively reigning even in the midst of a hostile world. We are to participate in His mission by proclaiming the Gospel, which is the "rod of His strength," knowing that His kingdom will ultimately triumph over all enemies. This passage provides assurance of Christ's ultimate victory and encourages steadfast faith and obedience. interpretation
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.
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.