But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. This quotation from Psalm 45:6-7 provides the most explicit affirmation of Christ's deity in this section. God the Father addresses the Son as "O God" (ho theos, ὁ θεός), directly calling Him deity. This is not poetic hyperbole or honorific title but unambiguous declaration: the Son is God, possessing divine nature and worthy of divine honors.
The Son's "throne" (thronos, θρόνος) endures "for ever and ever" (eis ton aiōna tou aiōnos, εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα τοῦ αἰῶνος), literally "unto the age of the age"—an intensified expression of absolute eternality. Unlike human kingdoms that rise and fall, unlike angels whose positions may change, Christ's kingdom is eternal and unshakeable. This fulfills the Davidic covenant's promise of an eternal throne (2 Samuel 7:13-16) in a way no merely human king could accomplish.
The "sceptre of righteousness" (rhabdos euthytētos, ῥάβδος εὐθύτητος) characterizes Christ's reign. His rule is perfectly just, never arbitrary or corrupt. The sceptre symbolizes royal authority and power; righteousness defines how that power is exercised. Christ's kingdom operates on principles of perfect justice, truth, and moral excellence. This contrasts with earthly kingdoms where power often corrupts and justice is compromised. In Christ's reign, power and righteousness perfectly unite.
Historical Context
Psalm 45 is a royal wedding psalm, originally celebrating a Davidic king's marriage. However, the psalmist's language transcends any earthly monarch—no human king's throne lasts forever or merits being called "God." Jewish interpreters increasingly recognized this psalm as Messianic, pointing forward to the ideal King who would fulfill what earthly kings only foreshadowed.
The direct address "Thy throne, O God" to the Messiah was controversial in Jewish interpretation. Some tried to translate it differently to avoid calling the Messiah "God." However, the New Testament authors, guided by the Holy Spirit, recognized that the Old Testament was indeed ascribing deity to the coming Messiah. This was not a later Christian invention but the proper understanding of what the Old Testament prophesied all along.
For Jewish Christians tempted to view Jesus as less than fully divine, this verse provided irrefutable scriptural proof. The very Scriptures they revered called the Messiah "God" and described His eternal throne. Jesus wasn't claiming something novel; He was fulfilling what Scripture always testified. The choice was clear: either accept Jesus as God incarnate or reject the testimony of their own Scriptures.
Questions for Reflection
How does the explicit declaration of Christ's deity in this verse strengthen your assurance of salvation?
What comfort does Christ's eternal, righteous kingdom provide when facing injustice or instability in this world?
How should Christ's perfect righteousness affect both your confidence in approaching Him and your understanding of His judgment?
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Analysis & Commentary
But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. This quotation from Psalm 45:6-7 provides the most explicit affirmation of Christ's deity in this section. God the Father addresses the Son as "O God" (ho theos, ὁ θεός), directly calling Him deity. This is not poetic hyperbole or honorific title but unambiguous declaration: the Son is God, possessing divine nature and worthy of divine honors.
The Son's "throne" (thronos, θρόνος) endures "for ever and ever" (eis ton aiōna tou aiōnos, εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα τοῦ αἰῶνος), literally "unto the age of the age"—an intensified expression of absolute eternality. Unlike human kingdoms that rise and fall, unlike angels whose positions may change, Christ's kingdom is eternal and unshakeable. This fulfills the Davidic covenant's promise of an eternal throne (2 Samuel 7:13-16) in a way no merely human king could accomplish.
The "sceptre of righteousness" (rhabdos euthytētos, ῥάβδος εὐθύτητος) characterizes Christ's reign. His rule is perfectly just, never arbitrary or corrupt. The sceptre symbolizes royal authority and power; righteousness defines how that power is exercised. Christ's kingdom operates on principles of perfect justice, truth, and moral excellence. This contrasts with earthly kingdoms where power often corrupts and justice is compromised. In Christ's reign, power and righteousness perfectly unite.