Year of the Bible: Part Seven of TwelveSampel

To Exalt and Exult a King

David used Psalm 110 to exalt and exult Jesus’ deity, authority, and ascension. This prophetic prayer starts with “The Lord said to my Lord,” a clear statement indicating that God the Father is addressing the Lord Jesus. At the time it was written, the Jews recognized this verse as God the Father’s proclamation of the Messiah to come. Later, some Pharisees challenged Jesus because they did not believe He was the Messiah. Jesus didn’t back down and used this psalm to validate His deity.

Throughout this passage, David identified the role of Jesus as high priest and King of all Kings. These identifying marks point us to the ascension of Jesus, where He sits at the right hand of the Father and in complete authority. Jesus, in His deity, humbled Himself and became a man who would also face death on a cross. Obedient to the plan of salvation for humanity, He had to endure the cross that fulfilled prophesy. David understood this and expressed the joy of his heart for the coming Messiah.

In all the Messiah would go through and achieve, David was sure to exalt and exult Him in this prayer. To exalt means "to joyfully elevate praise", and to exult is "to find joy in triumph." This was not only an exaltation that lifted praise and worship, but it also acknowledged Jesus's victory over sin through exultation. In our prayers, we can exalt Him because He is worthy to be lifted in praise, and we can find great joy in all the victory He has in our lives. David captured the heart of God with this psalm because God Himself exalted Jesus and gave Him the name above all names.

Question: Why should the Lord be lifted in praise, and what victory does the Lord have in your life?

Prayer: When you pray, acknowledge God’s divine majesty and glory and recognize His strength in specific victories in your life with sincere gratitude.