This psalm is entitled “A Psalm of David.” It is also ascribed to David by the Saviour Matthew 22:43; and by Peter Acts 2:34; and there is no reason to doubt the correctness of the title. There is nothing, however, in the title, or in the psalm, to determine at what period of David’s life, or on wha... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD SAID UNTO MY LORD - In the Hebrew, “Spake Jehovah to my Lord.” The word יהוה _Yahweh_ is the incommunicable name of God. It is never given to a created being. The other word translated “Lord - אדני _'Adonāy_ - means one who has rule or authority; one of high rank; one who has dominion; one... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD SHALL SEND THE ROD OF THY STRENGTH OUT OF ZION - The scepter of thy power; that with which thou shalt rule. It will be given to thee by Yahweh; and it will be given to thee, as it were, “out of Zion;” that is, as proceeding from the church, and as derived from that. It will be an appointmen... [ Continue Reading ]
THY PEOPLE - All who are given to thee; all over whom thou art to rule. This verse has been variously translated. The Septuagint renders it, “With thee is the beginning in the day of thy power, in the splendor of thy saints, from the womb, before the light of the morning have I begotten thee.” So th... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD HATH SWORN - He has confirmed the appointment of the Messiah by a solemn oath, or as by an oath. That is, It is as sure and fixed as if he had taken an oath. Compare Hebrews 6:13. The “time,” so to speak, if the word time can be applied to transactions in a past eternity, was that when he w... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD AT THY RIGHT HAND - See the notes at Psalms 16:8. SHALL STRIKE THROUGH KINGS - The Hebrew word here rendered “shall strike,” - from מחץ _mâchats_ - means “to shake, to agitate”; and then, “to shake in pieces, to dash in pieces, to crush”; and here it has the sense of dashing in pieces, smi... [ Continue Reading ]
HE SHALL JUDGE AMONG THE HEATHEN - Among the “nations.” That is, he shall set up a kingdom, or shall rule over the nations of the earth. He shall come to execute judgment and justice, and shall apportion to people what is due to them. See the notes at Isaiah 11:3. HE SHALL FILL THE PLACES WITH THE... [ Continue Reading ]
HE SHALL DRINK OF THE BROOK IN THE WAY - The design here seems to be to represent the Messiah as a victorious king and conqueror pursuing his enemies. In the previous verse the psalmist had represented him under the image of one engaged in battle, and slaying his enemies with a great slaughter. He h... [ Continue Reading ]