Saying “The Lord is the King” might sound unusual in our modern world. Unlike a president, who is elected for a limited term, a king rules for life with absolute authority. So when we declare that our Lord is King, we are acknowledging His everlasting reign, His complete power, and His faithful love. That’s not just good news—it’s the best possible news. If Jesus, full of compassion and justice, is the one ruling over all creation, what more could we ask for?
Psalm 110 helps us understand this idea more deeply. Originally sung at royal coronations in ancient Israel, it paints a picture of a king chosen by God, affirmed by the people, and celebrated with sacred ceremony. King David, the writer of the psalm, begins with a profound line: “The Lord says to my Lord: ‘Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool.’” This verse holds a mystery. David, Israel’s most revered king, is referring to someone he calls “my Lord”—someone even greater than himself. In Hebrew, the phrase is “YHWH says to Adonai.” YHWH, the sacred name for God, speaks to another figure of divine authority. This second “Lord,” according to Jesus in the New Testament, refers to the Messiah—Jesus Himself.
Jesus used this psalm to challenge the religious leaders of His day, asking how the Messiah could be David’s son and still be called “Lord.” The answer is simple but stunning: Jesus is both the descendant of David and David’s divine King. He is not just another ruler—He is the eternal King, chosen, anointed, and exalted by God. Even the greatest human king bows before Him.
But what does it mean for the Lord to be our King today? In 1 Samuel, we read how Israel once demanded a king to be like other nations. Despite warnings from the prophet Samuel about the dangers of earthly rulers—how they would take from the people and rule for themselves—the people insisted. Many of Israel’s kings did exactly what Samuel predicted: they ruled with selfishness and corruption. In contrast, God’s kingship is different. He doesn’t take—He gives. He doesn’t rule with fear—He invites us to trust Him, to follow Him, and to live under His care.
Psalm 110 makes this contrast clear. God’s rule brings justice. He judges the nations, defeats evil, and upholds the righteous. His power is not just for show—it’s for protection, for restoration, for peace. But trusting this truth is not always easy. We often say “God is in control,” but when trouble hits—when things fall apart—do we really believe it?
There’s a story from seminary about translating for a woman visiting a psychiatrist. On the surface, her issue seemed to be a work conflict. But eventually, it became clear that her real pain was her daughter’s medical condition. Yet she didn’t trust the psychiatrist enough to share her heart. She left with a prescription, but not with healing. This story mirrors how we often treat God. We say He’s King, but we withhold our true pain. We try to handle things ourselves. And in doing so, we miss the help only our King can give.
Psalm 110 reminds us: “The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind.” God’s reign is certain. He is not like human leaders who fail, falter, or shift direction. He is faithful. We can trust His character, His timing, and His promises—even when we can’t see the full picture. And that kind of trust changes everything.
In today’s world, where we are taught to be self-reliant and in control, surrendering to the rule of Christ can feel difficult. But if the Lord truly is King, then we don’t have to carry the weight of the world on our shoulders. We don’t have to control every outcome. We don’t have to fear what lies ahead. Because our King doesn’t rule from a distance—He walks with us, fights for us, and reigns in love.
Even King David, who had power, success, and status, understood this truth. He bowed before the true King—Jesus. He knew that his throne was temporary, but God’s throne was eternal. And today, we are invited to make that same confession—not just with our words, but with our hearts, our trust, and our lives.
So what do we do when we say, “The Lord is the King”? We worship. We surrender. We trust. We stop trying to be kings and queens of our own little kingdoms and remember who is truly in charge. We live with peace, knowing that our King is not distant, but near—reigning in righteousness, faithfulness, and mercy.
Let us proclaim it today: The Lord is King—not just in a psalm, not just on Sunday morning—but in every part of our lives. He reigns forever, and His rule is good.
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