That this psalm belongs to the Messiah, is abundantly evident both from
the express testimony of the New Testament,(Ac 2:34,1Co 15:25,Heb 1:13,10:13).
and from the consent of the ancient Hebrew doctors. Of him, it is
directly and immediately to be understood; the spirit of God wisely so
ordering this matter, that it might be a convincing testimony against
the unbelieving Jews, concerning the true Messiah, and concerning
the nature and quality of his kingdom.
His prophetic office, ver. 2.
His priestly office, ver. 4,
His kingly office, ver. 1, 3, 5, 6.
His states of humiliation and exaltation, ver. 7.
A psalm of David.
1: The Lord - God the father. Said - Decreed it from eternity, and
in due time published this decree, and actually executed it; which he did
when he raised up Christ from the dead, and brought him into his heavenly
mansion. Unto - Unto his son the Messiah, whom David designedly calls
his Lord, to admonish the whole church, that although he was his son
according to his human nature, yet he had an higher nature, and was also
his Lord, as being God blessed for ever, and consequently Lord of all
things. The Hebrew word Adon is one of God's titles, signifying his
power and authority over all things, and therefore is most fitly given
to the Messiah, to whom God hath delegated all his power (Mt 28:18).
Sit - Now take thy rest and the possession of that sovereign kingdom and
glory, which by right belongeth to thee; do thou rule with me with equal
power and majesty, as thou art God; and with an authority and honour far
above all creatures, as thou art man. Make - By my almighty power
communicated to thee as God by eternal generation, and vouchsafed to thee
as mediator. Enemies - All ungodly men, sin and death, and the devil.
Footstool - Thy slaves and vassals.
2: The rod - Thy strong or powerful rod, and the rod is put for his
scepter, or kingly power: but as the kingdom of Christ is not carnal,
but spiritual, so this scepter is nothing else but his word.
Zion - From Jerusalem.
3: People - Thy subjects, shall offer thee as their king and Lord,
not oxen or sheep, but themselves, their souls and bodies, as living
sacrifices, and as freewill - offerings, giving up themselves to the Lord,(2Co 8:5), to live to him, and to die for him.
The day - When thou shalt take into thy hands the rod of thy strength,
and set up thy kingdom in the world. In the beauties - Adorned with the
beautiful and glorious robes of righteousness and true holiness.
The dew - That is, thy offspring (the members of the Christian church)
shall be more numerous than the drops of the morning dew.
4: Sworn - That this priesthood might be made sure and irrevocable.
5: The Lord - God the son; the Lord, who is at thy right - hand.
Strike - Shall destroy all those kings who are obstinate enemies to him.
6: Judge - Condemn and punish them. The places - Or, the place
of battle. Dead bodies - Of his enemies. Heads - All those princes who
oppose him. But this and the like passages are not to be understood
grossly, but spiritually, according to the nature of Christ's kingdom.
7: Drink - He shall have a large portion of afflictions, while he
is in the way or course of his life, before he comes to that honour of
sitting at his father's right - hand. Waters in scripture frequently
signify sufferings. To drink of them, signifies to feel or bear them.
Therefore - He shall be exalted to great glory and felicity.
