Bible Commentaries

Title. A Psalm. Hebrew. mizmor. App-65.

of David. Relating to the true David, and interpreted of Him and by Him. See note below.

The LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4. Quoted in Matthew 22:41-46. Acts 2:34, Acts 2:35. Hebrews 1:13.

said. Hebrew. ne"um Jehovah = "the Greekcle (or oracular utterance) of Jehovah". It is almost always used of the immediate direct utterance of Jehovah Himself; seldom of that of the prophet; (Numbers 24:3, Numbers 24:15); David (2 Samuel 23:1).

my Lord = Adonai, App-4. : i.e. David"s Lord: i.e. the Messiah. Compare Matthew 22:41-46.

Sit Thou, &c. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6.

Until I make, &c. Quoted or referred to seven times in N.T. (Matthew 22:44. Mark 12:36. Luke 20:42. Acts 2:34. Hebrews 1:13; Hebrews 10:13. 1 Corinthians 15:25).

make Thine enemies Thy footstool = set Thine enemies [as] a footstool for Thy feet. In the New Testament, Greek = tithemi (2 aor. subj.) = "shall have placed". 1 Corinthians 15:25 is the exception, where it is not "set as a footstool", but put "under", because Christ's session on His own throne (Matthew 25:31. Revelation 3:21) is there referred to, instead of His session on His Father's throne, as in all the other quotations.

the rod of Thy strength = Thy strong staff. Genitive of Character, App-17. The reference is to the ancestral staff, marking the priest as well as the prince, and handed down here to Messiah, David's son.

Zion. See App-68. Compare Romans 11:25-27.

enemies = foes.

shall be. Supply Ellipsis (App-6) thus: "[shall offer] themselves for voluntary offerings, in the day that Thou warrest".

willing = freewill offerings, as in Exodus 35:29; Exodus 36:3. 1 Chronicles 29:9, 1 Chronicles 29:14, 1 Chronicles 29:17. Ezra 3:5; Ezra 8:28.

the beauties of holiness. Some codices, with two early printed editions, read "in (or on) the holy mountains".

from the womb, &c. Supply Ellipsis (App-6): "[as the dew] from the womb before the morning I have begotten thee [a son]". Compare Psalms 2:7. There should be no stop after the word "morning".

youth = a son.

sworn. Corresponding with "said" (Psalms 110:1).

Thou: i.e. Messiah (David's son and Lord), not David himself, who was not of the tribe of Levi.

Thou art, &c. Quoted in Hebrews 5:6; Hebrews 7:17.

After the order. Compare Genesis 14:18. Hebrews 5:6, Hebrews 5:10; Hebrews 6:20; Hebrews 7:1-28.

Melchizedek. His priesthood was unique, and did not pass to another, as did Aaron"s. Hence, Christ's priesthood, being in Resurrection life and Ascension glory, will continue for ever, and He will be a priest upon His throne (Zechariah 6:13), and a priest for ever.

The LORD*. One of the 134 places where the Sopherim changed Jehovah to Adonai. See App-32.

heathen = nations. Compare Joel 3:9-17. Zechariah 14:1-4.

He shall fill, &c. = "Let Him judge among the peoples [a region] full of corpses.

heads = head (Revelation 19:11-21): i.e. the Antichrist.

many countries = a great land.

of = from. The verse begins with this word (Hebrew = M = from), and thus corresponds with the "from" of Psalms 110:3 (member M, above).

the head = [his] head.