A still further argument against the assumption that in previous quotations David was speaking about himself is now introduced. This recapitulates what was said in verse 29b, but in a different way, since now the focus is shifted to the exaltation (vv. 32-33).
It is probably necessary to have some marginal note for verse 34 to indicate that this reference to going to heaven applies to the special exaltation of Jesus to the right hand of God. In some instances one can simply indicate this contrast between David and Jesus by adding to the first clause “as Jesus did,” for example, “For David himself did not go up into heaven as Jesus did.” The quotation from Psalm 110.1, given in verses 34-35, is almost an exact reproduction of the Septuagint. In the original context of the Psalm it was God* telling his* chosen king* to sit at his* right side until he* had made the king’s enemies a place for him* to put his* feet. As used in the present context the Lord is God the Father and my Lord refers to Jesus; by raising Jesus from the dead God made him Lord and Messiah. Although the word translated until may in other contexts indicate that the action of the main verb will be terminated at the point indicated by until, it is impossible to suppose that the same holds true in the present context. This is simply another way of saying that God has given the Lord Jesus his power and authority, and all Jesus’ enemies will be made subject to him.
If the literal form of the phrase The Lord said to my Lord is retained, it is almost certain that some marginal note is required to indicate that this is God who is speaking to my Lord.
As suggested above, there is a real problem involved in rendering until, since in many languages such a conjunction specifies the end of a period, after which some other arrangement is presumed. Therefore, it may be more in keeping with the proper exegesis of this passage to translate until as “in the meantime” or “during that time,” for example, “Sit here at my right side and during that time I will put your enemies….”
In many languages the figure of the footstool is meaningful, especially if one can supplement this with some marginal note to indicate that this is a figure of speech, indicating victory over one’s enemies. However, in languages in which the figure is inadmissible, one can always employ a non-metaphorical equivalent, for example, “until I cause you to have victory over your enemies” or “I cause your enemies to be subjected to your authority.” The concept of being “subjected to your authority” may be rendered in some languages as “must obey your words.”
Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on The Acts of the Apostles. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1972. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .