“The perpetuity of Christ’s reign ...” Calvin’s interpretation of Psalm 110:1

Abstract

The discussion of the Messiah in the Old Testament has always been very significant. Matters like the relationship between Old and New Testament, the view of Christ, especially regarding his divine nature, revelation, the view of Scripture etc. – all of these aspects are crucial for the confessions of the church. Considering Calvin’s accentuation on Christology in his theology as such and not least bearing his high regard for the Book of the Psalms in mind, a study of his reflections on Psalm 110:1 is most appropriate for getting more insight in his exegesis. In Calvin’s exposition of Psalm 110:1 Calvin emphasises the significance and consequences for the church (as well as for the world) of Yahweh saying to the Lord Christ that He will be raised to the right hand of the Father, and that his enemies will be subjected beneath his feet. An analysis of Calvin’s exegesis shows his respect of the frame Christ Himself provided when He referred to Psalm 110:1 in Matthew 22 and Mark 12. Calvin thus remains faithful to the text being expounded, but – as always – he does so within the context of the whole history of revelation. Opsomming “Die ewigheid van Christus se heerskappy” – Calvyn se uitleg van Psalm 110:1 Die debat oor die Messias in die Ou Testament is deur die loop van die jare van groot betekenis gewees. Temas soos die verhouding tussen die Ou en Nuwe Testament, die beskouing oor Christus, in die besonder ten opsigte van sy goddelike natuur, openbaring, Skrifbeskouing ens. – al hierdie aspekte is wesenlik vir die belydenisse van die kerk. Wanneer Calvyn se klem op die Christologie in die geheel van sy teologie en daarby sy hoë agting van die Psalms in gedagte gehou word, is ’n studie van sy besinning oor Psalm 110:1 meer as gepas om meer insig in sy eksegese te verkry. In sy verklaring van Psalm 110:1 beklemtoon Calvyn die betekenis en konsekwensies vir die kerk (sowel as die wêreld) van Jahweh wat aan die Here Christus sê dat Hy opgeneem sal word tot die regterhand van die Vader en dat sy vyande tot ’n voetbank vir sy voete gemaak sal word. ’n Ondersoek van Calvyn se eksegese toon sy agting vir die raamwerk wat deur Christus self vir die verstaan van hierdie vers verskaf is toe Hy in Matteus 22 en Markus 12 na Psalm 110:1 verwys het. Calvyn bly dus getrou aan die teks in sy verklaring daarvan, maar – soos deurgaans in sy eksegese – doen hy dit binne die konteks van die geheel van die openbaringsgeskiedenis. https://doi.org/10.19108/KOERS.87.1.2532

Keywords

• Calvin
• Messiah
• Psalm 110
• perpetuity of Christ’s reign