The phrase “the Lord said to my Lord” comes from Psalm 110:1, which says “The Lord says to my Lord: ‘Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.'” This verse is quoted several times in the New Testament and it has significant theological implications. Here is an explanation of the meaning and significance of this verse:
Two different uses of “Lord”
The key to understanding this verse is that there are two different words translated as “Lord” – one is YHWH (the divine name of God) and the other is Adonai (meaning lord, master). So it literally reads “YHWH said to my Adonai”. This indicates a conversation between God the Father (YHWH) and God the Son (Adonai).
A conversation within the Trinity
This verse implies that there is plurality within the one God – a conversation between two “Persons” of the Trinity. God the Father is telling God the Son to sit at His right hand. This shows equality between the Father and Son – the Father has a right hand, a position of honor, and He invites the Son to sit there. Only an equal can sit at your right hand.
Exaltation of the Messiah
In its original context, this Psalm was likely about God conferring honor on the king of Israel. However, the New Testament applies it to Jesus, the Messiah. The fact that David calls his future descendant “my Lord” shows that the Messiah is much greater than David. Sitting at God’s right hand shows the exalted position Jesus holds.
Jesus is the fulfillment
This verse is quoted in the New Testament to demonstrate that Jesus is the fulfillment of this prophetic Psalm.
– In Matthew 22:41-46, Jesus challenges the Pharisees to explain this verse, implying that He is the Lord whom David spoke of.
– In Acts 2:33-36, Peter proclaims that God has made Jesus both Lord and Christ – He is the Lord enthroned at God’s right hand.
– In Hebrews 1:13, the writer applies this Psalm to Jesus as evidence of His deity and exalted position.
– In 1 Corinthians 15:25, Paul says Christ must reign until He puts all enemies under His feet, a reference back to Psalm 110:1.
Jesus has all authority
Sitting at God’s right hand is a position of power, authority, and honor. It means that Jesus shares authority with God the Father over all creation. All things have been placed under His feet. Now He reigns until the last enemy, death, is destroyed at His return.
A priestly ministry
In addition to kingly rule, Psalm 110 also speaks of the Lord having an eternal priesthood (v.4). The book of Hebrews applies this to Jesus as our great high priest who offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for sins. He now lives to intercede for us.
The ascension of Jesus
After His resurrection, Jesus ascended bodily into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God (Mark 16:19). He is presently reigning even now. The exaltation of Jesus to God’s right hand was the definitive sign that He had accomplished redemption and received all authority over heaven and earth.
Jesus is divine yet distinct from the Father
By applying Psalm 110:1 to Jesus, the New Testament teaches that Jesus shares divine authority with the Father, yet He is also distinct as the “Son”. This interaction between the Father and Son demonstrates the interpersonal relationship within the Trinity.
The Messiah has a higher status than David
As David’s descendant, the Messiah has a greater status than David. David calls Him “my Lord” indicating the Messiah rules over even King David. This means the Messiah is not merely a human descendant but the divine Son of God.
Implications for believers
Because Jesus sits enthroned over all creation, He has authority to subjugate all His enemies. As believers, we can have confidence that our King reigns and will deliver us from the dominion of Satan and sin. We also have assurance of access to God through our great High Priest who is exalted in glory.
A fulfillment of promises to David
Psalm 110 is a continuation of the promises made to David in 2 Samuel 7 regarding his offspring establishing an eternal kingdom. Jesus the Messiah fulfilled this promise as the greater Son of David who reigns at God’s right hand.
The supremacy of Christ
This verse elevates the Messiah to the highest place – the very throne of God. By applying it to Jesus, the New Testament affirms the supremacy and divinity of Christ over all. He is uniquely God’s Son and appointed heir over all creation.
A proof text for Christ’s divine identity
This important verse is considered one of the strongest Old Testament proofs that the Messiah is much more than a human descendant of David. By David calling Him “my Lord” it affirms the divine identity of the Messiah who co-reigns with YHWH.
The Messiah has a unique relationship with YHWH
Psalm 110:1 reveals an intimate, unique relationship between God the Father (YHWH) and the Messiah. The language of “my Lord” implies the Messiah has a special sonship relationship with YHWH that no human could claim.
Part of the Davidic Covenant
This verse connects back to the Davidic Covenant where God promised David an everlasting kingdom ruled by His offspring (2 Samuel 7:12-16). The New Testament applies these promises to Jesus the Messiah, Son of David.
A fulfillment of the Abrahamic Covenant
On a wider scale, God’s blessings to Abraham included that all peoples on earth would be blessed through his offspring (Gen 12:3). Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment – the divine Messianic seed of Abraham who blesses all nations.
Affirms Jesus has the authority to save
Because Jesus is enthroned in the place of all authority, He has the power to save those who come to God through Him. His exalted position qualifies Him to be the mediator between God and man.
God highly exalted Jesus for His obedient humiliation
Philippians 2 says that because Jesus humbled himself to death on the cross, God highly exalted Him. Psalm 110:1 affirms this sequence – the Suffering Servant is now the exalted Lord.
A foundational truth of Christology
This verse is a seminal text for Christology – the study of Christ. It reveals core truths about the Person and work of Jesus Christ: His deity, humanity, sonship, exaltation, authority, priesthood, and more.
The cosmic scope of Christ’s rule
Sitting at God’s right hand means that Jesus shares the throne of the universe. His rule and authority extend far beyond Israel to encompass all of creation. Every knee will bow to Him as Lord.
Jesus reigns right now
Unlike earthly kings who rule for a time and then die, Psalm 110 reveals the eternal nature of the Messiah’s rule. Jesus began reigning at God’s right hand at His ascension and continues to reign now and forever.
A prediction of the Messiah’s victory
Though Jesus was humiliated in His first coming, Psalm 110 predicts the Messiah’s ultimate victory – He will subdue all God’s enemies under His feet. His resurrection and ascension were the down payment on this future victory.
Affirms the preexistence of Christ
By David speaking of the Messiah as existing already (“my Lord”), this implies the Messiah’s divine preexistence before David. He is both David’s descendant and David’s Lord – indicating His deity.
In summary, Psalm 110:1 is a critically important verse for revealing the divine identity and role of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. It teaches that Jesus is the exalted Lord who reigns at the Father’s right hand and will make all enemies His footstool. This verse was foundational for New Testament teaching about who Jesus is and what He came to accomplish.