Psalms - Day 5 – The King and Priest to Come (July 6)

Day 5 Christological Direction / Psalm 110:1–4 (NKJV)

Scripture: 🙏 Psalm 110:1–4 (NKJV)

Context and Meaning in the Psalm

Psalm 110 stands as one of the most remarkable messianic psalms in all of Scripture. Although written by David, the psalm immediately speaks of someone greater than David himself. It opens with the extraordinary declaration, “The LORD said to my Lord.” David, Israel’s king, refers to another as “my Lord,” acknowledging One whose authority surpasses even his own. This immediately signals that the psalm looks beyond David’s present reign to a greater King whom God Himself has appointed.

The first four verses reveal two extraordinary truths about this coming ruler. First, He is enthroned by the sovereign decree of God. He is invited to sit at God’s right hand until His enemies are placed beneath His feet. This position is one of supreme authority, honor, and victory. The Lord Himself establishes His reign and promises the complete subjection of every opposing power.

Second, this coming King is declared to be “a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.” Under Israel’s covenant, the offices of king and priest were carefully separated. Kings came from the tribe of Judah, while priests descended from Levi through Aaron. Yet Psalm 110 presents a figure who perfectly unites both offices without contradiction. He reigns with royal authority while serving as an eternal priest before God. This combination points beyond the limitations of Israel’s earthly institutions and anticipates a greater covenant reality still to come.

The Problem or Hope Presented in the Psalm

Throughout Israel’s history, God’s people longed for a righteous king who would rule with justice and for a faithful priest who could truly reconcile sinners to a holy God. Earthly kings often failed because of sin, weakness, or death. Likewise, the Levitical priesthood, though ordained by God, required continual sacrifices because both the priests and the people remained sinful. No human king could fully restore God’s kingdom, and no earthly priest could provide a permanent solution for sin.

Psalm 110 answers that longing with remarkable hope. God Himself promises a coming ruler whose reign will never fail and whose priesthood will never end. His authority will extend beyond Israel, reaching every enemy and every nation. Unlike previous priests, His ministry is everlasting. Unlike previous kings, His throne is established forever by the decree of God Himself.

The psalm, therefore, presents hope that extends far beyond David’s own lifetime. It anticipates the arrival of One who will perfectly accomplish everything that Israel’s kings and priests could only foreshadow.

How This Finds Fulfillment in Christ

The New Testament repeatedly identifies Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of Psalm 110. During His earthly ministry, Jesus Himself asked how David could call the Messiah “Lord” if the Messiah were merely David’s son. His question revealed that the promised Christ is both David’s descendant according to the flesh and David’s sovereign Lord according to His divine identity. Psalm 110, therefore, points directly to the unique person of Jesus Christ.

Following His resurrection and ascension, Christ was exalted to the right hand of the Father. His enthronement fulfills the psalm’s opening declaration. From that place of supreme authority, He reigns over His church, governs history according to the Father’s will, and will one day bring every enemy beneath His feet. His kingdom is not temporary or uncertain but everlasting.

Psalm 110 also finds profound fulfillment in Christ’s priesthood. Unlike the priests descended from Aaron, Jesus belongs to the order of Melchizedek. Melchizedek appears briefly in Genesis as both king of Salem and priest of God Most High, without emphasis upon genealogy or succession. He serves as a divinely appointed pattern of an eternal priesthood that does not depend upon tribal descent. Jesus fulfills that pattern perfectly. He is both King and Priest forever.

Unlike every earthly priest, Christ offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for sin. His priestly work does not require continual offerings because His sacrifice is complete and sufficient. Having accomplished redemption, He now continually intercedes for His people before the Father. His priesthood never passes to another because He lives forever.

Redemptive Fulfillment

Psalm 110 reveals that God’s plan of redemption required more than a king who could govern wisely. Humanity also needed a priest who could remove the barrier of sin separating sinners from a holy God. In Jesus Christ, these two great offices are perfectly united.

As King, Christ rules with perfect righteousness, establishes His kingdom, and will ultimately judge the nations in justice. As Priest, He reconciles sinners to God through His once-for-all sacrifice and continually intercedes for those who belong to Him.

This union of kingship and priesthood demonstrates the completeness of God’s salvation. Christ not only reigns over His redeemed people; He also secures their redemption. He not only possesses authority over the kingdom, but He also provides the atonement that brings His people safely into that kingdom. Everything necessary for our salvation is found in Him.

Canonical Integrity

Psalm 110 fits beautifully within the unfolding story of Scripture. The covenant promise to Abraham anticipated blessing for all nations. The covenant with David promised an everlasting King. The priesthood established under Moses revealed humanity’s need for mediation before a holy God. Yet each of these institutions remained incomplete until Christ came.

The New Testament repeatedly returns to Psalm 110 because it offers one of the clearest Old Testament passages explaining Jesus’ identity and ministry. Jesus cites it to reveal His divine authority. Peter proclaims it at Pentecost to explain Christ’s exaltation. The author of Hebrews builds much of his teaching about Christ’s eternal priesthood upon it.

Rather than imposing Christ upon the text, the New Testament demonstrates that Psalm 110 naturally anticipates Him. The psalm itself presents a greater Davidic King, an everlasting Priest, and a universal reign that surpasses every merely human ruler. Christ fulfills exactly what the psalm promises.

Summary

Psalm 110 reveals that God’s promised Messiah would be unlike any leader Israel had previously known. He would reign with God’s own authority while simultaneously serving as an eternal priest for His people. The hopes of the Davidic kingdom and the priestly ministry converge in one glorious person.

Jesus Christ fulfills every dimension of that promise. He is David’s greater Son and David’s sovereign Lord. He reigns at the Father’s right hand with all authority in heaven and on earth. Through His once-for-all sacrifice, He has secured eternal redemption, and through His everlasting priesthood, He continually intercedes for those who belong to Him.

The psalm, therefore, calls believers not merely to admire Christ’s offices but to trust Him completely. Our King is also our Priest. The One who rules over all creation is the very One who has reconciled us to God.

Simple Summary

Psalm 110 teaches that God promised to send a King who would also be an eternal Priest. Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of that promise. He reigns forever at the Father’s right hand, has offered the perfect sacrifice for sin, continually intercedes for His people, and will one day establish His kingdom in perfect righteousness.

A Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for revealing Your Son long before His coming through the words of Psalm 110. Thank You that Jesus Christ is both our eternal King and our perfect High Priest. We praise You that He reigns with all authority and continually intercedes for us before Your throne. Help us to live each day in joyful submission to His rule and complete confidence in His finished work. May our hope rest not in earthly rulers or our own efforts, but in Christ alone, the King who reigns forever and the Priest who has secured our eternal redemption. In His holy name we pray, Amen.

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