Psalm CX
C:hrist's body (cf. Micah 5. 7). 4. The perpetuity of the priestliood, here asserted on God's oath, corresponds with that of the kingly office just explained, after the order —(Hebrews 7. 15) after the similitude of Melchisedek, is fully expounded by Paul, to denote not only perpetuity, appointment of God, and a royal priesthood, but also the absence of priestly descent and succession, and superior-
Ver. 1-7. The explicit application of this Psalm to our Saviour, by Him (JIatthew 22. 42-45) and by the apostles (Acts 2. 34; 1 Corinthians 15. 25 ; Hebrews 1. 13), and their frequent reference to its language and purport (Ephesians
1. 20-22; Pliilemon 2.9-11; Hebrews 10.12. 13), leave no doubt of its purely prophetic character. Not only was
ity to the Aarouic order. 5. at thy right hand—as Psalm
tliere notliing in the position or character, personal or
109. 31, upholding and aiding, which is not inconsistent with )). 1, wliere the figure denotes participation of power, for here He is presented in another aspect, as a warrior going against enemies, and sustained by God. strike through—smite or crush, kings—not common men, but their rulers, and so all under them (Psalm 2. 2, 10). 0. Tho person is again changed. The Messiah's conquests are described, tliough His work and God's are the same. A8 after a battle, whose field is strewn with corpses, tlie conqueror ascends the seat of empire, so shall He judge or rule among many nations, and subdue the head for (as used collectively for many) tho heads] over many lands, woundsmite, or crush (cf. v. 5). 7. As a conqueror, " faint, yet pursuing," He shall be refreshed by " tlie brook In the way," and pursue to completion His divine and glorious triumplis.
official, of David or any other descendant, to justify -J,
reference to either, but the utter severance from the royal ofHce of all priestly functions (so clearly assigned the subject of this Psalm) positively forbids such a reference.
Tlie Psalm celebrates the exaltation of Christ to th^tlnone
of an eternal and increasing kingdom, and a perpetual priesthood (Zechariah 6. 13), involving the subjugation of His enemies and the multiplication of His subjects, and rendered infallibly certain by the word and oath of Almiglity God.
1. TUe Lord said—lit., A saying of the Lord (cf. Psa lm 30.
1), a formula, used in prophetic or other solemn or express declarations, my lord—That the .Tews understooil
this term to denote the Messiah their traditions show, and Christ's mode of arguing on such an assumpllon (Matthew 22. 44) also proves. To sit at the riyltl hand was not only a mark of honour (1 Kings 2. 19), but also implied participation of power (Psalm 45.9; Mark 10. 19; EpheBians 1. 20). Sit—as a king (P.salm 29. 10), tliough the posi-