Is the Trinity in Psalm 110?

The primary argument between Judaism and Messianic Judaism-Christianity is over the first verse of Psalm 110. The verse reads as follows:

"A Psalm of David. The L-RD saith unto my lord: 'Sit thou at My right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.'"

Now, the point of contention between the two groups is over the second "lord." Both sides agree that the first L-RD, rendered in Hebrew with the Holy Name Y-H-V-H, can only refer to G-d. However, the second "lord" is spelled "A-D-N-Y", which when referring to a great or powerful person is pronounced "Adoni" and when referring to G-d is generally pronounced "Adonai". The Rabbis have always understood the correct pronunciation to be "Adoni", but Messianic Jewish-Christian leaders disagree with this. There is obviously two entities referred to in the sentence, there is no disagreement about this. So, how do we understand the term "lord"/"L-RD", rendered A-D-N-Y, when it is referring to a second entity interacting with the L-RD, rendered Y-H-V-H? Should it be read "L-RD" and understood as referring to G-d (and support the idea of the Holy Trinity), or "lord" and referring to a human, a non-Divine being (thus not supporting the Holy Trinity)? The best way to know how the Hebrew should be viewed is whether we see similar wording elsewhere in the Bible. For instance, are there other examples where we find "L-RD" (Y-H-V-H) followed by "lord"/"L-RD" (A-D-N-Y) in the Bible? And, if we find these cases, who is the second "lord"/"L-RD" referring to?

Biblical Use of the Term

The first questions that we have to ask ourselves regarding the verse from Psalms is whether there is another example when the L-RD (Y-H-V-H) ever talks or interacts with the "lord"/"L-RD" (A-D-N-Y)? The answer is "yes"! When the families of Gilead address Moses regarding their fears of losing land through the marriage of Zelophehad's daughters, the Bible says in Numbers 36:

"2: and they said: "'The L-RD (Y-H-V-H) commanded my lord(A-D-N-Y) to give the land for inheritance by lot to the children of Israel; and my lord(A-D-N-Y) was commanded by the L-RD (Y-H-V-H) to give the inheritance of Zelophehad our brother unto his daughters."

So, here we have an example L-RD (Y-H-V-H) talking to a "lord" (A-D-N-Y), and the second "lord" is Moses. This verse uses similar phrasing to the verse in Psalms. Though Moses was a great man, he certainly was not Divine. When we look through the Bible, we in fact find multiple times when the L-RD (Y-H-V-H) interacts with a "lord" (A-D-N-Y) and the second "lord" is clearly a person. This is not an uncommon occurrence in the Bible. For instance, we see the L-RD blessing a "lord" in the Book of Genesis, as Eliezer says regarding Abraham:

"35: And the L-RD (Y-H-V-H) hath blessed my lord (A-D-N-Y) greatly; and he is become great; and He hath given him flocks and herds, and silver and gold, and men-servants and maid-servants, and camels and asses."

So, here we see that Abraham is a "lord" (to his servant Eliezer) who is being blessed by the L-RD. There is no connotation of the "lord" being anything but Abraham. Like the above verses regarding Moses, there is no possible way to argue that the "lord" (A-D-N-Y) that is interacting with the L-RD (Y-H-V-H) is Divine. In I Samuel 25, verse 30-31, we see another example as Abigail addresses David in the following manner:

30: And it shall come to pass, when the L-RD (Y-H-V-H) shall have done to my lord(A-D-N-Y) according to all the good that He hath spoken concerning thee, and shall have appointed thee prince over Israel;

31: that this shall be no stumbling-block unto thee, nor offence of heart unto my lord (A-D-N-Y), either that thou hast shed blood without cause, or that my lord (A-D-N-Y) hath found redress for himself. And when the L-RD (Y-H-V-H) shall have dealt well with my lord (A-D-N-Y), then remember thy handmaid."

Similarly, we see the L-RD avenging a "lord", namely David, in II Samuel 4:"

8 And they brought the head of Ish-bosheth unto David to Hebron, and said to the king: 'Behold the head of Ish-bosheth the son of Saul thine enemy, who sought thy life; and the L-RD (Y-H-V-H) hath avenged my lord(A-D-N-Y) the king this day of Saul, and of his seed.'"

So, the Books of Samuel gives us clear examples with a set of verses, in which the term "lord", rendered A-D-N-Y, should be understood as a great and powerful human, when interacting with the L-RD, rendered Y-H-V-H. Specifically, for these examples the "lord" (A-D-N-Y) is David.

This concept is repeated in I Kings, when again David is the second "lord" (A-D-N-Y) next to the L-RD (Y-H-V-H):

"36: And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada answered the king, and said: 'Amen; so say the L-RD (Y-H-V-H), the G-d of my lord(A-D-N-Y) the king.

37: As the L-RD (Y-H-V-H) hath been with my lord(A-D-N-Y) the king, even so be He with Solomon, and make his throne greater than the throne of my lord(A-D-N-Y) King David.'"

As a final example, we see the L-RD (Y-H-V-H) removing a "lord" (A-D-N-Y) in the II Kings 2, as Elisha learns that Elijah will soon be departing:

"3: And the sons of the prophets that were at Beth-el came forth to Elisha, and said unto him: 'Knowest thou that the L-RD (Y-H-V-H) will take away thy lord (A-D-N-Y) from thy head to-day?' And he said: 'Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace.'...5: And the sons of the prophets that were at Jericho came near to Elisha, and said unto him: 'Knowest thou that the L-RD(Y-H-V-H) will take away thy lord (A-D-N-Y) from thy head to-day?' And he answered: 'Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace.'"

Overall, we see that the Bible gives ample examples of the L-RD (Y-H-V-H) speaking and interacting with "lords" (A-D-N-Y), and in every case the "lords" are people. Great people, true, but no more human than you or I. This allows us to understand that Psalm 110 is not referring to G-d, but to some great human, and disproves the use of this verse to support the idea of the Holy Trinity.

Who Is The Verse Referring To?

As we can see, the Bible provides ample evidence that when The L-rd (Y-H-V-H) interacts with the "lord" (A-D-N-Y), that we understand it as a human. So, who is "lord" in Psalm 110? In Judaism, there are three thoughts on the subject. The most common is that this is referring to David, who is often referred to in the Bible as "lord" (A-D-N-Y), as we saw in a number of examples above. The term in the Psalm, LeDavid, translated at the top as "of David", can also mean "regarding David." Sitting at the "right hand" is used in the Bible as a term of distinction, so it would make sense to see G-d's beloved David, in a distinguished position at the side of G-d. A second way this verse has been understood is referring to Abraham, who is relying on the salvation provided by G-d, at G-d's "right hand." Abraham is often called a "lord" (A-D-N-Y) in the Bible; the example I gave with Eliezer is only one of the many times this occurs. A third option is that this is talking about the Messiah, however, every single Rabbi who came to this conclusion did not believe that the Messiah is Divine. All of these Rabbis accepted that the Messiah is a human, and recognize that G-d is clear that G-d is not human, as seen in verses such as Hoshea 11:9 and Numbers 23:19. Here are some links that discuss how Judaism sees this Psalm and the errors that others make on this Psalm:

Explanation from Messiah Truth

Explanation from Rabbi Singer

Explanation from Jews for Judaism

Why Jews Don't Believe in Jesus

There are many reasons why Jews do not accept Jesus, and the links below are some of the better explanations on this topic. Of course, if you have questions that are not covered on the links, you can always e-mail me with your questions.

An Answer from Rabbi Stuart Federow Click Here

An Answer from Rabbi Shraga Simmons Click Here

Ask the Rabbi from Ohr Somayach Click Here

An Answer from Rabbi Tovia Singer Click Here

Countermissionary Counseling

There are a number of groups that provide Countermissionary Counseling. Here are links to a few of them:

Jews for Judaism

Alternatively, you can call them at 1-800-4PROOF1 with general questions about missionary claims.

Torah Atlanta

Outreach Judaism

Torah Life and Living

Great Sites, Priceless Information

Here are a number of great sites that counter missionaries and explain the differences in belief between Judaism and Christianity, including addressing the Biblical verses that missionaries try to use against the Jews and explaining why the missionaries are incorrect. For the most in-depth analysis of verse by verse questions, go to Messiah Truth (sections on Counter-Missionary: Multi-media training [this can be read without being "multi-media"], Knowing Your Orchard and Judaism's Answer), Jews for Judaism (in their Reference Section (please note that the Isaiah topics tend to be under "Suffering Servant" part of the "Proof Text" section) and the Q & A section of Outreach Judaism.

Messiah Page

Messiah Truth

Jews for Judaism

Outreach Judaism

Counter Missionary Reference

Torah Atlanta

Messianic Verses in Tanach

Kosher Judaism

Escape From Counterfeit Judaism

Talking to Kids About Missionaries