Bible Commentaries

A fragment of an ode of victory to a priestking—'Worthy,' says Luther,' to be set in a frame of gold and diamonds.' A truly Messianic Ps., finding its fulfilment in the triumphs of Christ in the world, and quoted Matthew 22:43; Mark 12:36; Luke 20:42; Acts 2:34; Hebrews 1:13; Hebrews 5:6 : see Intro.

1. Lit. 'Oracle of Jehovah to my lord.' The Psalmist seems to hear God addressing the king, whom Jehovah invites to a seat at His right hand, the place of honour. Our Lord applies this v. in the Messianic sense in which it was evidently understood by His countrymen.

2. Send] better, 'stretch.. (saying), Rule thou,' etc.

3. Thy people, etc.] better, 'Thy people offer themselves in the day of thy mustering,' i.e. of the army for battle. In the beauties of holiness] Many scholars, with slight change in Heb., render, 'on the mountains of holiness,' i.e. on the holy mountains. 'From the womb of the morning comes to thee the dew of thy youth,' i.e. thy young men gather to thy standard in the morning like the dew for vigour and freshness. 4. The king is to be priest as well. This might be true of a Davidic prince: cp. 2 Samuel 6:14, or of Simon Maccabæus, cp. 1 Maccabees 10:21. But it is ultimately most certainly Messianic: cp. Zechariah 6:11-13. 'After the manner (RM) of Melchizedek,' who was king and priest in Salem, i.e. Jerusalem: cp. Genesis 14:18.

5. The Lord] i.e. Jehovah. The v. describes the victory of the king. Shall strike] RM 'hath stricken.'

6. The Hebrew is difficult, but the meaning is clear. Dead bodies cover the field; heads of men are smitten over a wide area (in the pursuit).

7. The victor king stoops to drink of the brook by the way, and with renewed strength (head uplifted) continues the pursuit of the flying enemy.