Psalm 110:1 kjv
The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
Psalm 110:1 nkjv
A Psalm of David. The LORD said to my Lord, "Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool."
Psalm 110:1 niv
Of David. A psalm. The LORD says to my lord: "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet."
Psalm 110:1 esv
The LORD says to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool."
Psalm 110:1 nlt
The LORD said to my Lord,
"Sit in the place of honor at my right hand
until I humble your enemies,
making them a footstool under your feet."
Psalm 110 1 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Matt 22:44 | “‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand….”’ | Jesus' direct citation to silence opponents. |
| Mark 12:36 | “David himself, speaking by the Holy Spirit, declared: ‘The Lord said to my Lord….’” | Jesus affirms Davidic authorship & divine inspiration. |
| Luke 20:42-43 | “For David himself says in the Book of Psalms, ‘The Lord said to my Lord….’” | Jesus uses it to establish His Messiahship. |
| Acts 2:34-35 | “For David did not ascend to heaven, but he himself says, ‘The Lord said to my Lord….’” | Peter uses it to prove Christ's resurrection & exaltation. |
| Heb 1:3 | “After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” | Christ's exaltation and completion of work. |
| Heb 1:13 | “And to which of the angels did God ever say, “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies….’” | Emphasizes Christ's superiority over angels. |
| Heb 8:1 | “We have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven.” | Christ's present role as High Priest in heaven. |
| Heb 10:12-13 | “But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, and since that time he awaits his enemies….” | Christ's completed sacrifice & current reign until final victory. |
| Rom 8:34 | “Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God….” | Christ's intercessory role due to His exaltation. |
| Eph 1:20-22 | “…He raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority….” | Christ's supreme authority over all creation. |
| Col 3:1 | “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.” | Believers' identification with Christ's heavenly position. |
| 1 Cor 15:25 | “For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.” | Christ's present reign and eventual conquest of all opposition. |
| Rev 3:21 | “To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne.” | Echoes Christ's position and promise for believers. |
| Acts 7:55-56 | “But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.” | Jesus' presence and advocacy in heavenly glory. |
| Ps 2:7 | “He said to me, ‘You are my son; today I have become your father.’” | Points to the divine sonship of the Messianic King. |
| Ps 2:9 | “You will break them with a rod of iron; you will dash them in pieces like pottery.” | The victorious subjugation of enemies. |
| Dan 7:13-14 | “I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man…to him was given dominion….” | Messianic figure given eternal dominion and glory. |
| Phil 2:9-11 | “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name….” | God's exaltation of Christ following His humiliation. |
| Rev 5:6-14 | “And I saw between the throne and the four living creatures…a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain…. Then I heard every creature…singing: ‘To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb….’” | Christ (the Lamb) shares the divine throne and receives worship. |
| Gen 22:18 | “…all nations on earth will be blessed through your offspring….” | The promise to Abraham hinting at a future universal king. |
| Isa 9:6-7 | “For to us a child is born…the increase of his government and peace will have no end.” | Prophecy of the eternal Messianic king and his endless reign. |
Psalm 110 verses
Psalm 110 1 Meaning
Psalm 110:1 is a profound prophetic oracle where the Lord God (Yahweh) addresses an individual referred to as "my Lord" (Adonai or 'adoniy in Hebrew). The oracle declares that this figure is invited to "Sit at my right hand," signifying a position of unparalleled authority, honor, and co-regency with God Himself. This exaltation is not just for a moment, but until God defeats and fully subdues all of this "Lord's" enemies, making them a "footstool" – a symbol of absolute conquest and humiliation. The verse points to a divine warrior-king whose rule is guaranteed by Yahweh.
Psalm 110 1 Context
Psalm 110 is a messianic royal psalm, highly significant within biblical theology. It is traditionally attributed to David, making the opening statement, "The LORD says to my Lord," a central point of exegetical inquiry. Historically, ancient Near Eastern kings often had psalms composed for or about them, but Psalm 110 stands apart. It is not just about an earthly king but describes a figure of immense divine authority and honor. It portrays an oracle from God (Yahweh) to this "Lord" figure, establishing His co-regency and guarantee of ultimate victory over enemies. The Psalm looks forward to a priest-king after the order of Melchizedek (v. 4), pointing to a unique dual role that transcends the Mosaic Law's separation of kingship and priesthood. Its strong prophetic tone sets it apart from typical royal psalms, anticipating a future, greater King than any who had yet sat on David's throne. This king's reign is not temporary but eternal, encompassing complete subjugation of all adversaries.
Psalm 110 1 Word analysis
- The LORD (יהוה - YHWH, Yahweh): This is the Tetragrammaton, God's personal, covenant name. It signifies the self-existent, sovereign God of Israel. Its presence indicates that the statement is a direct divine oracle, carrying absolute authority and certainty. It is the speaker of the prophecy.
- says (נְאֻם - nĕ'um): This term specifically denotes a divine utterance, an authoritative oracle from God. It highlights that the words following are not merely human wisdom or poetic expression but a direct pronouncement from the Creator. This term is often found introducing prophetic declarations.
- to my Lord (לַאדֹנִי - la'dōnî): This is the pivotal phrase. "Adon" (Lord) in Hebrew can mean master, owner, or lord. The suffix "-iy" means "my." So, "my Lord." David calls this figure "my Lord," yet according to Jesus (Matthew 22), this 'Lord' is also David's descendant (Son of David). This paradox signifies that the person addressed is not just an ordinary king or master, but someone superior to David himself, implying a divine or uniquely exalted status, fitting for the Messiah.
- Sit (שֵׁב - shēḇ): This verb implies being enthroned or installed in a position of authority. It is not merely to "be seated" but to "reign" or "take your rightful place." It signifies established authority and rest in that position.
- at my right hand (לִימִינִי - lîmînî): This phrase symbolizes the position of supreme honor, power, and authority in ancient cultures. It's the place of a co-ruler, an ultimate place of distinction. For a human figure to be invited to sit at God's right hand indicates an unprecedented status of divine favor, delegated authority, and shared rule, elevating this 'Lord' to a unique partnership with Yahweh Himself.
- until I make (עַד־אֲשִׁית - 'ad-'ashît): The word "until" does not imply a cessation of sitting/reigning once enemies are defeated, but rather designates the duration during which the enemies are subdued. It signifies a period of time during which a process unfolds. It indicates God's active involvement in establishing the King's dominion. The "making" signifies a divine act.
- your enemies (אֹיְבֶיךָ - 'ōyḇeḵā): Refers to all hostile forces, human or spiritual, that oppose the rule of the Lord addressed. This term is broad, encompassing all who stand against the divine will and kingdom.
- a footstool (הֲדֹם לְרַגְלֶיךָ - hăḏōm ləraḡleḵā): This symbolizes complete subjugation, humiliation, and utter defeat. In ancient Near Eastern conquest rituals, kings would place their feet on the necks of defeated enemies or their images as a sign of absolute victory and dominion. It denotes the complete absence of any remaining resistance or challenge to authority.
Psalm 110 1 Bonus section
- The Septuagint's Influence: The Greek Old Testament (Septuagint or LXX) translates "The LORD says to my Lord" as "The Lord said to my Lord," preserving the distinct references. The early Christians, deeply familiar with the LXX, found this translation crucial for their arguments for Christ's divinity and messianic claims.
- A New Creation: When Christ is seated at the right hand of God, it's not merely a physical relocation but an inauguration into a new mode of existence and rule. He is now at the apex of all creation, governing with divine authority. This isn't just about controlling physical forces, but also about spiritual and cosmic powers, signaling a new era in God's plan.
- "Waiting" for Victory: The phrase "until I make your enemies a footstool" depicts a divinely orchestrated process. Christ is not passively waiting, but actively reigning while His enemies are being subdued by God. His ascension and enthronement were not the end, but the beginning of the final phase of His redemptive work and dominion over all things.
Psalm 110 1 Commentary
Psalm 110:1 stands as one of the most direct and crucial prophecies of the Messiah in the Old Testament. It begins as a direct divine oracle, affirming its supreme authority. The addressing of David's descendant as "my Lord" highlights a paradox that only the divine-human nature of Jesus Christ can resolve, as seen in the New Testament. The invitation to "Sit at my right hand" grants an unparalleled position of shared authority, honor, and co-regency with Yahweh, symbolizing not subordination but ultimate power and kingly reign in partnership with God. The phrase "until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet" guarantees the eventual and complete triumph of this King over all opposition, a process currently underway and culminating at the end of the age. This verse thus prophetically describes the Messiah's exaltation, His present reign at the right hand of God, and His guaranteed future victory over all adversarial forces, underpinning the very foundation of Christian belief in Christ's supremacy.