Prophetic psalm - Christ the king.

v1: The most quoted O.T. verse, used more than 15 times in the N.T. A verse descriptive of the Lord Jesus Christ;

• at the right hand of the majesty on high, Heb 1.3;
• equal with the Father, in accordance with His own claims, e.g: John 5.22-23;
• addressed as "my Lord";
• all things will be made subject to Him.

The Lord Jesus quoted this verse in Mark 12.35-37; He presented the mystery of the incarnation, by pointing out the difficulty which only it could solve.

The early theologian Tertullian developed the doctrine of the ‘trinity.’ Alongside Is 53.1, he makes much of this Psalm. He comments that the Holy Spirit is the speaker in verse 1. ‘So, in these texts the distinctiveness of the three is plainly set out, for there is the Spirit who makes the statement, the Father to whom he addresses it, and the Son who is the subject of it.’ (quoted in A History of Christian Doctrine by Hubert Cunliffe-Jones)

v2: Bringing victory and authority; ruling from Zion over all the world.

v3: Those who are identified with Him must be willing;

• depending on His power;
• finding strength in His holiness.

It is His day of battle, and we join Him, confident of His victory.

The dew of His youth; here is strength and zeal, which we can enjoy throughout our lives.

v4: Christ the High Priest, an eternal priesthood, of the order of Melchizedek, not Aaron, Heb 5.1-4; 7.21-25.

This is promised by the Father's own word, and therefore cannot fail.

v5-6: Christ the Judge, exercising authority over life and death. There is a day of His wrath, an appointed day when all rebellion will be put down.

v7: Humility and exaltation;

• He stooped to drink, esp. the bitter cup of God's judgment;
• He is exalted on high.