Scholars call Psalm 110 a “coronation psalm,” a hymn of blessing originally written to honor a king’s coronation day. Archaeologists have found similar coronation poems written among Israel’s neighbor nations. Jesus himself claimed the language of Psalm 110 to describe his reign in Luke 20:41-44, and the early Christians took their cue from him (cf. Acts 7:55–56; Rom. 8:34; Eph. 1:20; Col. 3:1; Heb. 1:3, 13; 8:1; 10:12–13; 12:2; 1 Pet. 3:22).

• Any nation, any king (including those of Israel’s pagan neighbors) would like to think that the deity holds the ruler close in approval. But as with most of the other Old Testament passages we’re studying, only Jesus, the “king of kings” (cf. Revelation 19:16) could fully claim to sit “right beside” God. In what ways does the picture of Jesus “having God’s ear” strengthen your faith and bring you comfort in hard times?
• Psalm 110:4 added a note of mystery and power, speaking of Melchizedek, the king of Salem (peace) who greeted Abraham with bread and wine in Genesis 14:18-20. Hebrews 7 expanded on this picture, comparing Jesus in various ways to the figure of Melchizedek. How open are you to accepting the mystery of the divine/human person of Jesus? In what ways does that which is mysterious deepen your appreciation of his power and lordship?