Psalm 110:1 holds more references in the New Testament than any other verse from the Old Testament. The New Testament quotes it five times and alludes to it sixteen times by either referring to Jesus’ position at the Father’s right hand or to Jesus’ waiting to conquer his enemies.¹Noting quotations with an asterisk (*), New Testament references to Ps 110:1 include Matt 22:44* || Mark 12:36* || Luke 20:42–43*; Matt 26:64 || Mark 14:62 || Luke 22:69; Acts 2:33, 34*; 5:31; … Continue reading The New Testament quotes Psalm 110:4 three times and alludes to this verse four times as well by referring to Jesus’ priesthood according to the order of Melchizedek.²At the same time, one might add more references in the New Testament to Ps 110:4 as Hebrews 7 explains Christ’s Melchizedekian priesthood at length. Noting quotations with an asterisk (*), New … Continue reading

I’ve grouped the quotations and allusions to both verses into the headings below, giving the data in the first paragraph(s) and a devotional thought in the closing paragraph of each section.

Position

Jesus’ right-hand seat is a position of authority over all. There He sits as the Messiah and David’s greater Lord (Matt 22:44 / Mark 12:36 / Luke 20:42–43). His seat shows his superiority over angels (Heb 1:13) “with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him” (1 Pet 3:22). 

As proof of his superiority and lordship, He poured out the Spirit at Pentecost: “Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured out this,” (Acts 2:33; cf. 2:34). With this authority, He grants salvation to whom He will: “God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins” (Acts 5:31). 

One can only hope to find forgiveness through repentance and acknowledgement of Jesus Christ as Lord. Sovereign over all at the right hand above, He grants forgiveness and gives the Spirit to all who come to him. 

Power

Speaking of God the Father, Paul referred to “the immeasurable greatness of his power . . . that He worked in Christ when He raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places” (Eph 1:19–20). The Father showed his power by both raising Jesus from the dead and placing him at his right hand.

It seems that Paul recalled the Father’s power to encourage his Ephesian readers that they, too, would live by this power in the present and join Christ in the future after their own resurrection (cf. Col 3:1). The Father’s power in Jesus’ resurrection and placement at God’s right hand is the very same “immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe” (Eph 1:19), a fact that corresponds with “the hope to which He has called you,” and “the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints” (Eph 1:18). The fulfillment of our hope and the reception of our inheritance correspond to the Father’s power to us who believe. That power is alive and at work in us right now and will be at work to raise us, glorify us, and bring us to heaven one day!

Perseverance

“Jesus . . . endured the cross, despising the shame” because He was motivated by “the joy that was set before him,” that is, being “seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb 12:2). Jesus persevered and now sits at the right-hand seat that was promised to him. 

We are likewise exhorted to do the same. “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God” (Col 3:1). As an example for us to imitate today, remember Stephen who faithfully persevered unto death, seeing “Jesus standing at the right hand of God” as if to applaud him and welcome him home (Acts 7:55–56).

Priesthood

The Levitical priests served “in their weakness”—they were sinners who served daily, died perpetually, offered sacrifices daily for themselves and others, and never achieved perfection (Heb 7:11, 23, 27; 10:11). They served according to the law of Moses, now “set aside because of its weakness and uselessness (for the law made nothing perfect)” (Heb 7:11,18, 23, 27). For true salvation, we need an eternal, sinless priest.

Thankfully, “We have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven” (Heb 8:1). Though from the tribe of Judah, Jesus was “appointed” and “designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek” (Heb 5:5, 10; cf. 5:6; 6:10; 7:14). His priesthood is eternal “by the power of an indestructible life”—He is a priest “forever” (Heb 7:16–17; cf. 6:20). The Father even doubly guaranteed the eternal priesthood of Jesus: “this One was made a priest with an oath by the one who said to him: ‘The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, “You are a priest forever”’” (Heb 7:21).

Jesus offered himself as our High Priest, a singular and sinless sacrifice that completed his sacrificial ministry, allowing him to sit at the Father’s right hand instead of standing and serving daily (cf. Heb 10:11). “When Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice [i.e., himself ] for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God” (Heb 10:12). He once for all made “purification for sins” and then “sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on High” (Heb 1:3).He presently sits “at the right hand of God . . . indeed . . . interceding for us” (Rom 8:34). 

Christ’s sacrifice was once for all, and thus He sits in heaven. And yet, at his seat, He gives himself to interceding for you and me. What an encouragement that salvation is accomplished through Him, and what further encouragement we have to know that He lives to intercede!

Punishment

Jesus is over all things at the Father’s right hand. From there, He has been “waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet” (Heb 10:13), including those who sent him to the cross (Matt 26:64 / Mark 14:62 / Luke 22:69).³It is noteworthy that the concept of enemies being crushed by one’s feet is present in Ps 110:1 though the wording slightly differs: “I make your enemies your footstool.” This concept overlaps … Continue reading

For all that Psalm 110 says of Christ’s seat, salvation, and service as our High Priest above, it also speaks of judgment against his enemies, sobering us to be ready for his return.

Conclusion

The Father exerted his amazing power to raise Christ and place him at his right hand. This power is alive in us as believers today and will likewise bring us to heaven. At the right hand of the Father, Christ rules all, forgives the repentant, and grants the Spirit as our Savior. This position is like no other. Christ offered himself for us and prays for us even now. His priesthood is like no other. Christ endured the cross for the joy of sitting at the right hand of his Father. His perseverance is an example for us today. Christ waits to leave the Father’s right hand and crush his enemies. This punishment sobers us to live expectantly for his return. Power, position, priesthood, perseverance, and punishment—Psalm 110 in the New Testament richly encourages us today!

Author

David Huffstutler

Pastor First Baptist Church, Rockford, IL

David pastors First Baptist Church in Rockford, IL, and teaches as adjunct faculty at Bob Jones University. David holds a PhD in Applied Theology from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. His concentration in Christian Leadership focuses his contributions to pastoral and practical theology.