According to H. L. Wilmington’s Book of Bible Lists, the Old Testament verse most cited or quoted in the New Testament is Psalm 110:1. Wilmington cites seventeen passages: Matthew 22:44; 26:64; Mark 12:36; 14:62; 16:19; Luke 20:42-43; 22:69; Acts 2:34-35; Romans 8:34; 1 Corinthians 15:25; Ephesians 1:20; Colossians 3:1; Hebrews 1:3, 13; 8:1; 10:12-13; and 12:2.

David wrote: “The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool” (Psalm 110:1). As Peter came to the climax of his sermon on Pentecost, he quoted David. “For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, Until I make thy foes thy footstool” (Acts 2:34-35). As he added “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36), the people were moved to cry out, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37). Peter’s response was “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38).

Why did they respond so powerfully to this quotation from David? With Peter’s application of the words of David, they understood that Jesus Christ was unquestionably the Messiah. David did not ascend to sit at the right hand of God, but Jesus has not only been exalted by God’s right hand (Acts 2:33), but He also has been exalted to the right hand of God, His proper place as the Messiah. “Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God” (Luke 22:69).

“Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man” (Hebrews 8:1-2). What a blessing!

Most Often Quoted

by Bob Prichard

www.oxfordchurchofchrist.com