Heart of a Psalmist - Worshipping Christ Through The Psalms

Martin Luther said that ‘it is worthy to be overlaid with precious jewels.’ Augustine, the greatest the- ologian of the early church said of the psalm; ‘short in words, but in sense infinite 2 ’. Hidden in these brief verses are profound insights into the relationship between the Father and the Son, the reign of Jesus Christ, his work of priestly intercession and his ultimate victory in the universe. The two decrees spoken by Yahweh to his Son divides the psalm:

I

UNDER YOUR FEET - vs. 1-3, Jesus the King A PRIEST FOREVER - vs. 4-7, Jesus the Priest

II

INTRODUCTION:

“A Psalm of David.”

Jesus identifies David as the inspired author of the psalm in three of the four gospels. ‘Then why does David, speaking under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, call him Lord:…? ‘ (Mt. 22:43, Mrk. 12:36) He says it with a slight difference in Luke: “For David himself wrote in the book of Psalms…” (Lk. 20:42) and then he quotes the first verse of this Psalm.

I UNDER YOUR FEET - 1-3; Jesus the King

“The Lord said to my Lord, ‘Sit in honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.’” (1)

Jesus speaks this verse in his last confrontation with the Pharisees and religious rulers. It is his final and most powerful argument with the Jewish nation to his claim of being the Messiah: “Then, sur- rounded by the Pharisees, Jesus asked them a question: ‘ What do you think about the Messiah? Whose son is he?’ They replied, ‘He is the son of David.’ Jesus responded, ‘Then why does David, speaking under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, call him Lord: For David said, “The Lord said to my Lord, Sit in honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies beneath your feet.” (Ps. 110:1) Since David called him Lord, how can he be his son at the same time?’ No one could answer him. And after that, no one dared to ask him any more questions.” (Mt. 22:41-46) Here is a clear reference to the Trinity; David is moved by the Holy Spirit to hear and record the words of the Father (Yahweh) spoken directly to his Son, (Adonai or ‘Lord’). “…David in this psalm speaks not of himself, but directly of Him, in whom the Davidic kingship should finally and for ever ful- fill that of which the promise speaks 3 .” From the words of this psalm, Jesus makes the argument that he is co-equal with God and will sit as Messiah at his right hand. This one verse in the book of Psalms becomes the cornerstone scripture for proving the exaltation and lordship of Jesus Christ. Peter quotes this verse directly on the day of Pentecost in the first Christian sermon; he also iden- tifies the three persons of the Godhead: “Now he (Jesus) sits on the throne of highest honor in heaven, at God’s right hand. And the Father, as he had promised, gave him the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us, just as you see and hear today. For David himself never ascended into heaven, yet he said, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, Sit in honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.’ (Ps. 110:1) So let it be clearly known by everyone in Israel that God has made this Jesus whom you crucified to be both Lord and Messiah!” (Acts 2:33-36) This verse is used to settle the issue that Jesus is the Lord and Messiah of Israel. The writer to the Hebrews quotes this verse showing us that it was God speaking directly to his Son Jesus in this psalm: “And God never said to an angel, as he did to his Son, ‘Sit in honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.’”(Heb. 1:13) Every reference in the New Testament that mentions Jesus at the right hand of the Father can be traced back to this humble yet mighty psalm of David. • He is interceding for us- “…and is sitting at the place of highest honor next to God, pleading for us.” (Rom. 8:34)

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