Why the Messiah Must be Divine

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📖 Why the Messiah Must Be Divine

Exploring Psalm 110 and the Identity of Jesus


✨ Introduction

Who is the Messiah? Jewish tradition speaks of a human king from David’s line. Christianity agrees — but goes further: the Messiah is divine. One of the most striking proofs comes from a single verse in the Hebrew Bible — Psalm 110:1. Quoted frequently in the New Testament, this verse helps us understand why Jesus is not merely David’s son — but David’s Lord.


📜 Psalm 110:1 – The Messianic Puzzle

“The LORD says to my Lord: ‘Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.’”

— Psalm 110:1 (ESV)

Key Terms:

  • “The LORD” (YHWH): The God of Israel.
  • “My Lord” (Adoni): A royal or divine superior — not David himself.
  • “Sit at My right hand”: A place of highest authority and favor — reserved for none but God.

🎯 Big idea: David hears God speak to someone greater than himself, inviting him to share in divine rule.


🤔 Jesus’ Interpretation (Matthew 22:41–46)

Jesus turns this verse into a theological challenge:

“If David calls him ‘Lord,’ how is he his son?”

— Matthew 22:45

  • The Messiah is descended from David, but also superior to David.
  • David never called his son “my Lord” — so who could this be?
  • Jesus’ answer: The Messiah is both David’s Son and God’s Son.

🧠 This was not a riddle — it was Jesus revealing that the Messiah must be divine.


👑 The Right Hand of God

Throughout the Bible, the right hand symbolizes:

Symbolism Examples
Power Exodus 15:6
Honor 1 Kings 2:19
Divine Salvation Psalm 98:1
Authority to Rule Hebrews 1:3

In Acts 2:33, Peter proclaims that Jesus has been exalted to God’s right hand, fulfilling Psalm 110.


📖 Old Testament Evidence for the Messiah’s Divinity

🔹 Isaiah 9:6–7

“For to us a child is born… and he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

  • The child born is explicitly called Mighty God (El Gibbor), which is never used of a mere man.

🔹 Micah 5:2

“From you [Bethlehem] shall come… one whose origin is from of old, from ancient days.”

  • The Messiah’s origin is eternal — not just human.

🔹 Daniel 7:13–14

“One like a son of man… came with the clouds of heaven… and to him was given dominion…”

  • The “cloud rider” motif is used for Yahweh in the Old Testament (Nahum 1:3).
  • This “Son of Man” figure receives worship and eternal rule.

🔹 Psalm 2:11–12

“Kiss the Son… Blessed are all who take refuge in him.”

  • Taking refuge in the Son — a role normally reserved for God — implies divine protection and trust.

🔹 Isaiah 7:14

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive… and shall call his name Immanuel.”

  • Immanuel means “God with us” — again pointing to God entering into human history.

🔹 Ezekiel 34:15–23

God says: “I myself will shepherd my people…” and later, “I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David.”

  • God claims He Himself will come as the Shepherd — yet also speaks of appointing “David” as the Shepherd, suggesting a divine-human unity.


🔁 Old Testament Echoes of Divine Messiah (Summary Table)

Prophecy Divine Role
Isaiah 9:6 “Mighty God, Everlasting Father”
Micah 5:2 “From ancient days” – pre-existent origin
Daniel 7:13–14 “Son of Man” receives eternal worship
Isaiah 7:14 “Immanuel” – God with us
Psalm 2:12 “Take refuge in the Son” – divine trust
Ezekiel 34 God will shepherd, yet calls him David


📖 New Testament Fulfillment

Psalm 110:1 is the most-quoted Old Testament verse in the New Testament — appearing over 20 times, including:

  • Hebrews 1:3 – He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.
  • Acts 2:34–36 – Let all Israel know… God has made him both Lord and Christ.
  • 1 Corinthians 15:25 – He must reign until He has put all enemies under His feet.

🧠 These verses point to Jesus as the divine, reigning Messiah who conquers sin and death.


🧭 Conclusion: David’s Son is David’s Lord

Psalm 110:1 shows us that: - The Messiah is not merely a man; - He is greater than David; - He shares God’s authority and throne; - He fulfills the hope of divine kingship that rescues and rules forever.

Only God can sit at God’s right hand.

The Messiah does.
Therefore, the Messiah is divine.

📊 Suggested Visual (Table)

Title: “The Identity of the Messiah — According to Psalm 110”

Role Human Messiah Divine Messiah
Son of David ✅ ✅
Called “Lord” by David ❌ ✅
Sits at God’s right hand ❌ ✅
Defeats all enemies ✅ ✅
Reigns forever ❌ (not fully) ✅
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