How does Psalm 110:5 reveal Christ's role in God's judgment plan? Setting the context • Psalm 110 is David’s prophetic portrait of the Messiah. • Verse 1 enthrones “my Lord” at the Father’s right hand; verse 4 names Him eternal priest; verse 5 turns to His role in judgment. • Psalm 110:5: “The Lord is at Your right hand; He will crush kings in the day of His wrath.” Who is “the Lord” in verse 5? • Hebrew shifts from the “LORD” (YHWH) of verse 1 to “Adonai” here—still a divine title. • The simplest reading: the Messiah of verse 1 is now called “Adonai,” and the Father stands at His right hand as He judges. • Either way, the verse unites Father and Son: One supports, the Other strikes, showing joint participation in judgment. The right hand: shared throne, shared authority • “Right hand” pictures honor and executive power (1 Kings 2:19). • Hebrews 10:12-13 applies Psalm 110: “After He had offered one sacrifice for sins… He sat down at the right hand of God, waiting… until His enemies are made a footstool.” • The position certifies Jesus as God’s appointed Judge (John 5:22-23). Crushing kings: Christ as Divine Warrior • “He will crush kings” signals military conquest and legal sentencing rolled into one. • Isaiah 63:1-6 and Revelation 19:11-16 portray the same Warrior-King trampling the nations. • The verb “crush” (machats) recalls Judges 5:26 (Jael smashing Sisera)—total, final defeat of evil powers. The day of wrath: final phase of God’s plan • Not random anger, but the climactic “day” when stored-up wrath is released (Zephaniah 1:14-18; Romans 2:5). • 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 parallels the scene: “the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven… inflicting vengeance.” • Psalm 110:5 locates Jesus at the center of that day—no mere bystander, but the primary Agent. New Testament echoes • Matthew 22:41-45—Jesus cites Psalm 110 to claim Messianic authority. • Acts 2:34-36—Peter quotes it to prove Jesus is both “Lord and Christ,” now reigning until His enemies fall. • Revelation 6:15-17 pictures kings hiding from “the wrath of the Lamb,” echoing “He will crush kings.” Why this matters today • Assurance: Evil rulers and systems will not escape; Christ will personally settle every account. • Evangelism urgency: The same Savior who offers mercy (John 3:16-18) will execute judgment (John 3:36). • Worship focus: Psalm 110 lets us adore Jesus not only as Priest and King, but also as the appointed Judge who will finish God’s plan with perfect justice. |
    |