Psalm 110 may be the most important psalm in the Bible. It’s the Old Testament text most frequently quoted in the New Testament. The first Christians saw in Psalm 110 one of the clearest pictures of the person and work of Jesus, and in doing so they were following His example. Speaking to the Jewish leaders about the meaning of Psalm 110, Jesus said, “David himself, speaking by the Holy Spirit” (Mark 12:36; emphasis added). That is, David wrote Psalm 110 but so did the Spirit. This psalm teaches four truths about Jesus.

First, Jesus is the divine Son. Since the Jews believed that the Messiah would be David’s son, Jesus asked them who David was speaking about when he said that “the Lord” (Yahweh) speaks to “my Lord” (Mark 12:35–37)? How can David’s “Lord” be his son when a son is subject to his father? Jesus was showing the Jews from their Scriptures that the Messiah must be a Son far greater than a physical descendant of David. Jesus is the divine Son who sits at God’s right hand, sharing in the power, glory, and authority of God (Psalm 110:1).

Second, Jesus is the exalted King. The early church saw God’s invitation to “my Lord” to sit beside Him as a prophecy of Jesus’ ascension (Acts 2:34–36; 1 Peter 3:22). Clearly, David was not the one who ascended into heaven, so the psalm was ultimately speaking of Jesus, whom God made Lord and Christ.

Third, Jesus is the true Priest. The Lord of Psalm 110 will be both a king and a priest, not a Levitical priest but a priest “in the order of Melchizedek” (Psalm 110:4). Melchizedek (literally “the king of righteousness”) was king of Salem. He was king and priest, and met Abraham and blessed him (Genesis 14:18–20). Hebrews cites Psalm 110 to make the point that the days of Levitical priests offering daily sacrifices are over. Now, Jesus the true king and priest has come. He sits at God’s right hand and is able to save us completely because He intercedes for us before His Father every day (Hebrews 7:15–28).

Finally, Jesus is the coming Judge. Psalm 110 promises that God’s king will enjoy worldwide dominion (vv. 3, 5–6). The day will come when every knee will bow before Him (Philippians 2:9–11). In order for the king to rule the world in peace and righteousness, he must “judge nations, heaping up the dead” (Psalm 110:6). Revelation 19:11–21 speaks of that time when King Jesus will come to judge and make war.

Psalm 110 invites us to share in Jesus’ victory: the king’s troops gladly join Him in conquering all His enemies (v. 3). Of course, our weapons aren’t physical, but as we joyfully proclaim the gospel throughout the world, we extend the victory of the divine Son, King, Priest, and Judge.