Psalm 110 (109):7Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The simplicity of His existence did not diminish Him; rather, it elevated Him to an indescribable height. Beloved, seeing such examples, turn away from a life of vanity and ostentation, and choose to pursue a life that is simple and unparalleled if you desire to attain greatness. Your Lord came to guide you along this path. Thus, after recounting His deeds, the prophet adds: when you hear of triumphs and victories, do not anticipate weapons, soldiers, chariots, or horses; He who performs these deeds is so humble, even drinking water from a stream, yet through this humility, He achieves great things. Those who indulge in extravagant feasts, seeking extravagant dishes and enlisting help from all corners, only degrade themselves more profoundly than all others. A person's worth is not determined by their desire for excess, nor is it diminished by their satisfaction with little.

Consider two individuals: one surrounded by numerous providers—sailors, artisans, cooks—who offer him great service, and the other who finds contentment with only bread, water, and simple attire. Which one is truly exalted? Is it not evident that the one with only basic garments can hold his head high? Despite outward appearance, he may not feel inferior to a king, but instead becomes a servant to those who sustain him, engaging in flattery and favoritism, fearing the loss of their support. Indeed, nothing binds a person in servitude like a multitude of wants, and nothing grants true freedom like contentment with life’s essentials. This principle can also be observed in animals; what advantage is there for a donkey burdened heavily, despite the frequent use of its load? Conversely, what loss does a donkey free from such burdens suffer if it has access to necessary sustenance?

Thus, Christ, wishing to elevate His disciples as He prepared to spread His message to all the world, liberated them from worldly anxieties, fortifying them to be as resilient as iron. Nothing empowers the soul quite like the absence of cares, nor does anything weaken it more than being weighed down by them. Where sorrow is seldom found, joy is elusive. One individual is controlled by many harsh masters, while another serves none, reigning over all with the liberty to bask in sunlight and fresh air, free from distress. Anger, envy, hatred, and burdens such as jealousy or pride afflict him not; instead, his soul rests in tranquility, easily aspiring to heavenly realms without obstruction from worldly concerns.

To experience such freedom and peace in this life, and serenity at its end, let us strive to lead lives worthy of eternal blessings, which transcend every word, thought, and understanding in Christ Jesus our Lord, to whom belongs glory and dominion forever. Amen.

The scripture opens with, "The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies thy footstool" (Psalm 109:1). We must ponder this question posed to the Jews at the outset of the psalm. The Hebrews responded affirmatively; denying this truth would contradict the Gospel, as illustrated from the very beginning of Matthew: "The book of the birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of David" (Matthew 1:1). Consequently, when questioned, the Jews answered correctly: Son of David; their response aligns with the Gospel. Both Jewish recognition and Christian faith affirm this truth.

When David refers to Him as Lord, how could He then be His son? The Jews could not answer this; they did not seek Him as Lord because they failed to see Him as the true Son of David. Therefore, let us believe and declare, as stated in Romans 10:10, for with the heart we believe unto righteousness, and with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation. Let us not shy away from declaring both the Son of David and the Lord of David, lest we find the Lord of David displeased with us.

We acknowledge that Christ has been exalted to the Father's right hand since His resurrection and ascension, a reality we accept by faith based on Scripture, despite not having witnessed it firsthand. Christ, being the Son of David, claimed the title of Lord over David. He who descends from David's lineage holds this honor. Consider it a marvel, for similar occurrences happen in human affairs; a son of an ordinary man can rise to kingship and thus become his father's lord. The more astonishing scenario would be that a layman's son ascends to the role of bishop, thereby becoming a spiritual leader to his father.

In His incarnation, Christ took on flesh, experienced death, triumphed over it, rose again, and ascended into Heaven, seated at the right hand of the Father. In that glorified and transformed flesh, He is both the Son of David and the Lord of David.

Christ, therefore, is seated at the right hand of God, the Son at the Father's right, hidden from plain sight. Believe this truth. God declared: "Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool," meaning they are to be placed under His authority. Although we do not see Christ visibly seated there, we witness His enemies becoming His footstool. If we can verify the latter happening openly, we ought to believe the former is taking place in secrecy. Who, then, are these enemies? The Psalmist asks, “Why do the heathens rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?”

Thus, He remains at the right hand of God until His adversaries are fully subdued. This ongoing fulfillment, though gradual, is unceasing. Though the nations may rage, shall they thwart the promise: "I will give thee the heathen for thy inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession"? Their remembrance may have faded; yet the Lord remains forever, as other scriptures testify, with one spirit.

Next, we read, "The Lord shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion" (Psalm 109:2). The prophet evidently speaks not of Christ’s eternal reign with the Father, for God, the Word, has always reigned, as noted in John 1:1. This eternal King reigns invisibly and incorruptibly. Though Christ reigns with the Father, it is through His temporal government, which He initiated in the flesh to bring believers into eternity, that begins with His followers, and His dominion will know no end.

Consequently, His enemies were made subservient, and He is seated at the Father's right hand, moving toward the ultimate fulfillment of this prophecy. What occurs when He sends out the rod of His power from Zion? He shall rule in the midst of His adversaries. Initially, He reigns amidst hostile Gentiles. Will He only rule when the righteous are rewarded and the wicked judged? Is it any less remarkable that He rules in conflict now than it will be when the righteous reign eternally with Him, while the wicked face eternal punishment?

Presently, amid temporal trials and human frailty, the rod of His authority is sent forth from Zion, enabling Him to reign among His foes. Rule, O Son of David, Lord of David, among the Gentiles, Jews, and all who oppose the truth. We misunderstand this verse if we overlook that it is already unfolding.

The psalm declares, "With Thee is the beginning in the day of Thy strength" (Psalm 109:3). What does this mean? This day of power signifies Christ, who is recognized as the beginning and essence of creation, as stated in the Gospel of John. From Him, the Word, all was established. If both the Father and the Son embody the beginning, there cannot be two beginnings. One God exists in unity, and so it is with their divine essence.

The phrase "With Thee is the beginning" reveals both a present reality and future revelation. Just as Jesus assured, "The Father is with Me" (John 16:32), so too is the beginning tied to Him. The Father and the Son share inseparable unity; the beginning exists with Him. When the beginning is unveiled, all creation will witness Him as He truly is (1 John 3:2).

What authority is referenced? The rod of His power sent forth signifies His sovereignty amid adversities. The splendor referred to concerns the glorious state of the saints, which is anticipated in the glory to come and is withheld until the present life fades away.

Next, we reflect upon, "I begat thee from the womb before the morning star" (Psalm 109:4). What does this signify? God, having a Son, does not possess a womb in the human sense, for He is Spirit. While we speak of the womb figuratively to indicate a secret place, we must understand that the essence of the Father is that from which the Son comes forth. Thus, the Father, in speaking to the Son, acknowledges the begetting that transcends all creation.

The expression “before the morning star” alludes to the creative command of the Almighty, overarching all creation. Indeed the morning star implies superiority among celestial bodies. As foretold in prophecy, the Lord was born in the night from the Virgin Mary (Luke 2:7-8) and fulfills David's proclamation.

What purpose did His birth serve? As declared, “The Lord has sworn and will not repent: Thou art a Priest forever after the order of Melchizedek" (Psalm 109:4). Christ was born to fulfill His role as eternal Priest, the embodiment of sacrifice—not as a mere result of His divine nature, but through the humanity He assumed to offer atonement.

Could the Lord, the witness of truth, swear an oath? Indeed, while He cautions the faithful against perjury (Matthew 5:34), His divine promise upholds truth. The Lord’s solemn affirmation confirms His unchanging purpose: You are a Priest forever.

The sacrifices of the Old Covenant have ceased; the temple is no longer, and the priestly order of Aaron has vanished. Yet some remain ignorant of the superior priesthood of Melchizedek. While knowledge is sought, understanding must be pursued.

We read further, "The Lord is at thy right hand" (Psalm 109:5), which reinforces His exalted position as eternal Priest and Advocate. As Christ intercedes for us at the right hand of the Father, He enters into the heavenly sanctum, cleansing sin on account of His perfect righteousness. He is equipped to deal with both earthly and spiritual leaders who rose against Him. With authority and power, He declines their attempts to extinguish the name of Christ; for those who oppose Him will metaphorically stumble, wounded by their arrogance.

As recorded, "He will judge the Gentiles" (Psalm 109:6). Any proud heart erecting a tower against Christ shall fall. Humble yourself, throw yourself at the feet of Him who reigns, and avoid the fate of eternal destruction. It is better to yield in humility than to face condemnation as the proud are brought low.

In time, He shall strike the heads of many upon the earth. Yet within His judgment lies a promise of restoration. He will bring low the proud but lift up the humble.

Lastly, we conclude with, "Out of the stream on the road He will drink, and He will lift up his head" (Psalm 109:7). This stream signifies the course of human mortality—the transient flow of life where all experience the cycle of birth and death. Christ embraced this path, entering our mortality, ultimately triumphing over death by lifting His head high, for His obedience even unto death brought God’s exaltation.

Thus, we rejoice in the truth that at the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow, proclaiming Him as Lord to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:8-11).

Additionally, it is written in the one hundred and eighteenth Psalm: "Blessed are the blameless in the way" (Psalm 118:1). Blessed indeed are those who walk in integrity in this age. Thus, the Priest in the order of Melchizedek also walked the way of this world and participated in the stream found there. A stream typically lacks pure water, being filled instead with rainwater, gales, and storms. You will not find such streams high in the mountains, but rather in the valleys, consistently found in low places. It teems with other waters and, being full, it flows. “Out of the stream along the way shall He drink.” There is no clean water in this stream; it is perpetually murky. It is said so because the waters of this age are always muddied by temptations. Do you wonder why He would drink from this muddied stream? He expressed, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death" (Matthew 26:38), and the Evangelist noted, "He began to be sorrowful and troubled" (Matthew 26:37). Thus, our Lord participated in the murky, bitter waters of this world. He took a cup filled from the stream of the world, and because the waters were unclear, He prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me" (Matthew 26:39). Hence, He draws from this world's stream, but not as if He were at home; rather, He does so while journeying, hastening to another destination. He drinks from the stream on the way, for He tastes its waters while traveling. "Out of the stream He shall drink." If the Lord partakes of the stream while on His path, how much more so do the saints? Do you wish to understand why the saints continually draw from this stream? The psalmist added, "Our souls have passed through the waters" (Psalm 123:5). Having discussed the stream, let us also affirm these words: "Our souls have crossed over the stream." Would you like to hear of another stream? The holy prophet Elijah, when pursued by Jezebel, walked forty days on the desert sands, "was in the wilderness and drank from the stream at Hobar" (1 Kings 17:5-6). But those aware of the stream of this age should not despair; it is always changing. Though it appears to contain ample water, it will deceive you when you draw from it. Consider Elijah, who in the wilderness during adversity, "left Judea"—note the fear he experienced—"and retreated to Mount Sinai." Jezebel sought him, and so he drank from the stream at Hobar. Yet, because he persevered to the end, the water of the stream transformed. The Lord directed him to "Go to the widow at Zarephath in Sidon" (1 Kings 17:9), and there Elijah drank. But our Lord and Savior drank from the waters of Kidron. Scripture reveals that they came to bind Him "by the stream" (John 18:1). Observe how low the stream lies, how uneven its banks are. "Kedron," translated from the Hebrew, means "darkness." Thus, it becomes clear that the streams of this world exist in darkness. Consequently, the Lord is betrayed; He is betrayed not on the Mount of Olives, not in the temple, but by a stream, a dark stream, namely, Kedron. For all who reject the light cherish darkness. "Out of the stream along the way shall He drink." Since the Lord imbibed from the stream and tasted death, the Father exalted Him, bestowing upon Him a name above all names (Philippians 2:9). Even now it is declared, "Out of the stream along the way He shall drink," and because He has drunk from the stream while traveling, "therefore He is exalted." What did He proclaim? "When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all people to myself" (John 12:32). He is lifted up and we, too, are lifted up. His head is exalted, and the heads of serpents are thrown into the sea (Psalm 73:13-14). "Therefore He lifted up His head." Note that it says "therefore the head is lifted up," signifying that He Himself, having humbled Himself, is the One exalted. For He stated, "I have authority to lay down My life and authority to take it up again" (John 10:18). "Therefore He lifted up His head." He, in His position as the Head of all, raised our heads which we had cast down to the earth. He lifted our heads that were stooped, unable to gaze upward. Would you like to see evidence of His lifting up our heads? He set free that woman bound by a spirit, raising her head which had been perpetually bowed (Luke 13:11-13). And she glorified Him, to whom be the glory forever. Amen.

Just as He faced temptations Himself, He is capable of providing support to those who are struggling with their own (Hebrews 2:18). The simplicity, humility, and trials that He experienced will lead to His exaltation and glory upon His ascension to the right hand of God. Hence, this ordinary lifestyle not only caused no detriment to Him but, as Chrysostom notes, elevated Him to unparalleled glory. He adds that just as His meals consisted of barley bread, His drink was merely water from the stream, reflecting His path through life that teaches self-restraint, the rejection of vanity, and the dismantling of pride. After the Incarnation, He demonstrates a life of scarcity, intending for those who are on a similar journey to learn how to satisfy their spiritual thirst. Theodoret further suggests that this prophecy carries a profound insight regarding the mystery of suffering. The cup referenced typically signifies the experience of suffering, as in the plea, “let this cup pass from me.” The stream symbolizes the Jewish people, who, despite having been recipients of divine grace, have not always fully embraced it, much like a winter stream that does not flow consistently. Thus, during His transient earthly life, He endures the cup of suffering from the Jews, who are as arid as a stream. Likewise, Paul states that He humbled Himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Consequently, God exalted Him. It is clear that this statement acknowledges a human perspective, as God did not exalt Himself through humility but rather chose to lower Himself from His exalted position; however, as a man, He received the height that was not originally His.

Should anyone question where the gentleness and compassion attributed to Christ in other contexts can be found, the response is straightforward. Just as a shepherd is nurturing towards his sheep but fierce against wolves and predators, so Christ is tender and gracious to those who seek His refuge. Conversely, those who reject His authority with malevolence will ultimately realize the extent of His might when He confronts them. It is aptly stated, “You will crush me with a rod of iron; like pottery you will shatter them” (Psalm 2:9).