Psalms 110
DOYLYPsalms 110:2
- — the rod of thy strength] The “rod,” or sceptre, of Christ’s “strength” is his word, accompanied by his Spirit. Bps. Horne and Nicholson.
— out of Zion:] Christ’s spiritual kingdom was to begin at Jerusalem. Edwards.
Psalms 110:3
- Thy people] They that are fit for thy kingdom. Fenton.
— the day of thy power,—holiness] “The day of his power” is the season of their conversion, when the corruptions of nature can no longer hold out against the prevailing influences of grace; and they make a free and voluntary offering of themselves to their Redeemer. Then it is that they appear “in the beauties of holiness,” adorned with humility, faith, hope, love, and all the graces of the Spirit. Bp. Horne.
— from the womb of the morning: &c.] The words should rather be translated, “more than the dew from the womb of the morning is the dew of thy progeny;” that is, thy children, begotten to Thee through the Gospel, shall exceed in number, as well as brightness and beauty, the spangles of early dew, which the morning discloseth to the eye of the delighted beholder. Bps. Louth and Horne.
Psalms 110:4
- — Thou art a priest for ever &c.] Thy priesthood is everlasting: in thy person and office is and shall be fulfilled that which was figured in the royal priesthood, person, and name of Melchizedek, king of Salem, the king of righteousness and peace. Bp. Hall. The Epistle to the Hebrews places the resemblance between Melchizedek and Jesus on the name and title of the former, on his having no father, or mother, or priestly descent, or birth, or death, or successor, mentioned; which so far agreed with the latter, as He had no human father, nor mother, in the ordinary way of generation; nor was of a sacerdotal family, nor began to exist at his birth, nor continued in a state of death, nor could have any successor in his office. Abp. Secker. See the note on Gen. xiv. 18.
Psalms 110:23
- — tossed up and down as the locust.] The swarms of locusts are so large and numerous in Barbary, that they fly in the air like a succession of clouds. When the wind blows briskly, so that these swarms are crowded by others, or thrown one upon another, we have a lively idea of this comparison of the Psalmist, of being “tossed up and down as the locust.” Dr. Shaw.
Especial care should be taken that we do not pervert this Psalm in a criminal and impious manner, by imagining we are at any time allowed to wish that the vengeance of God may fall on those who hate us and do us hurt. David here speaks in the quality of a king chosen by God, and of a Prophet; he rather foretold than desired the destruction of his enemies: he even returned them good for evil, as he himself says, and love for hatred. But, above all, let us remember that a Christian should hate no man; that the character we bear, as disciples of Jesus Christ, obliges us to love all men, even our greatest enemies, to pray for them with all our heart, and to wish and do them all the good in our power. Osterwald.
Psalm CX. In this Psalm David prophesieth concerning the exaltation of Christ; the sceptre of his kingdom; the character of his subjects; his everlasting priesthood; his tremendous victories and judgments; and the means of his obtaining both kingdom and priesthood, by his sufferings and resurrection. Bp. Horne. This Psalm is with good reason appointed for the service of Christmas-day.
Ver. 1. The Lord said &c.] God the Father, in his eternal counsel, said unto his Son, Take Thou all power and authority, as the only Mediator and true King of thy church, until I shall utterly have subdued all those that dare to rise up against Thee; then do Thou deliver up this royal state and kingdom of thy Mediatorship. Bp. Hall.
— thy footstool.] This expression is borrowed from the Eastern custom of conquerors putting their feet upon the necks of their enemies. See Josh. x. 24. The
Divinity of our Saviour is clearly deducible from this verse. See Mark xii. 36, &c. Dimock.