Chapter One Hundred Ten

This psalm, like the one following it Ps 111, is alphabetic. All its content – joyful, from the memory of those great benefactions which the Lord had previously abundantly poured upon his people and from the “deliverance” (Ps 110:9) which this people has now received. By this deliverance is to be understood the deliverance from Babylonian captivity. The last verse of the psalm presents the theme, expounded in detail in the following psalm, which points to the close connection of these psalms with one another, to their origin from one author and at one time. Since the image of the pious person portrayed in Psalm 111 is fully realized in the personal character and activity of Nehemiah, taking into account both this and the indication of the deliverance, these psalms can be considered written during the time of Nehemiah by one of the pious Hebrews, who wished in the activity of this zealous champion of piety and servant of the Lord to point out an example for imitation by all Hebrews.

I praise the Lord for all the great deeds He has done for the Hebrew people. He is generous, firm in His promises, just and true. He has delivered His people and made His name feared (1–9). Before Him there must be reverence, and the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, manifested in the fulfillment of His commandments (10).

Psalm 110:1. I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart in the council of the righteous and in the assembly. “Council of the righteous” – probably synagogal gatherings, which became established among the Hebrews after their return from captivity. In these gatherings, champions of piety and scribes primarily participated. “Assembly” – a public gathering, the assembly of all Hebrews. The writer invites the praise of the Lord everywhere, wherever there are people.

Psalm 110:2. Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them. “The works of the Lord are delightful” – pleasant, desirable, as material, the study and understanding of which will give opportunity to acquire clear knowledge of God.

Psalm 110:4. He has made his wonders memorable; gracious and merciful is the Lord. In the life of the Hebrew people the Lord performed many miracles, not only such as had temporary significance for them and met their temporary needs, but also such as were turning points in their history. Because of the importance of the latter events they became “memorable,” the people will not forget them, since they are even perpetuated in their festivals, for example, the feast of Passover, Pentecost, Tabernacles, and others.

Psalm 110:6. He has shown his might to his people, giving them the nations as an inheritance. Is meant not only the miraculous conquest of Palestine, but also that all these miraculous events had as their goal the giving to the Hebrews “as an inheritance” of all the nations, to make His people the head of the latter, their guide, of course, in the matter of the knowledge of the true God.

Psalm 110:9. He sent redemption to his people; he ordained his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name! Despite the constant apostasies of the Hebrews from their Lord, He was merciful to them, and now has sent deliverance from Babylonian captivity. All the past history of the Hebrews clearly testifies that the name of the Lord is “awesome” to those who offend it and is holy, and therefore requires from those who honor it purity of life and reverent attitude toward Him.

Psalm 110:10. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all who do his commandments. His praise endures forever. “A good understanding have all who do his commandments.” True knowledge of the Lord is not found in the one who theoretically believes in Him, but in the one who lives in accordance with His commandments: theory and practice, faith and life must be united.