Keraia
Psalm 110

Psalm 110:4

God’s Faithful Messiah · Psalm 110:1–7
Read Psalm 110

Translations

Modern
The LORD has sworn and will not change His mind: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”
Traditional
The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.
Literal
YHWH has sworn, and He will not change His mind: “You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.”
Latin
Juravit Dominus, et non pœnitebit eum: Tu es sacerdos in æternum secundum ordinem Melchisedech.

Original

Hebrew
English
The LORD has sworn and will not change His mind: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”

Notes

Psalms 110:4

  • God had made an unbreakable oath and covenant with David. When the exile seemed to end the line of kings from David's family (Psalm 89:38), it created a crisis for God’s people. The placement of Psalm 110 in Book Five points again to the future of David’s line. David’s descendant must live according to God’s standard of integrity (Psalm 101). His rule will also be shaped by God’s kingship (Psalms 93–100).

  • You are a priest forever: The role of God’s messianic ruler changes. The kings from David’s family had a limited priestly role. They supported and organized the worship of the temple. For example, David brought the ark to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6:15) and organized temple services (1 Chronicles 6:31–48; 15:11–26; 16:4–42; 23:4–32; 25:1). Solomon oversaw the construction of the temple (1 Kings 5:1–7:51).

    Even so, the offices of king and priest were separate in Israel. In the messianic kingdom, the king will also serve as a priest. He will be like Melchizedek, the king of Salem who was also a priest (Genesis 14:18). The New Testament explains that Jesus Christ fulfills this new order of priesthood (see Hebrews 5:6–10; 6:20–7:25).

Psalms 110:1–7

Jesus and the apostles quote this psalm to explain the unique role and authority of Jesus as the Messiah (Matthew 22:43–45; Acts 2:32–36). The psalm also confirms God’s covenant with David. It gives hope that God will fulfill his promise in the future (see 2 Samuel 7:8–16).

Theme notes and profiles

David Melchizedek Royal Psalms

Parallels

Genesis 14:17–24 Hebrews 5:1–10

People

Melchizedek: King of Salem and priest of God Most High

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) God, Being and Attributes of Hebrews, Letter to the Holy War Holy War Jesus Christ, Teachings of Melchizedek Messiah Music Oath Psalms, Book of Word, Word of God, Words of God

Topics

Church: Prophecies Concerning Prosperity of Eternity: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Jesus, the Christ: Messiah: Messianic Psalms Jesus, the Christ: Priesthood of: After the Order of Melchizedek Jesus, the Christ: Prophecies Concerning Universality of the Kingdom of Melchizedek: King of Salem Prophecies Respecting Christ: His Being a Priest After the Order of Melchizedek Repentance: Attributed to God The Excellency and Glory of Christ: As Priest the High Priest Christ: After the Order of Melchizedek