Psalm 110:4 - God's Faithful Messiah

Audio Bible

Context

God's Faithful Messiah
…3Your people shall be willing on Your day of battle. Arrayed in holy splendor, from the womb of the dawn, to You belongs the dew of Your youth. 4The LORD has sworn and will not change His mind: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.” 5The Lord is at Your right hand; He will crush kings in the day of His wrath.…

Cross References

Hebrews 7:17
For it is testified: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”Hebrews 5:6
And in another passage God says: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”Hebrews 7:21
but Jesus became a priest with an oath by the One who said to Him: “The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind: ‘You are a priest forever.’”Genesis 14:18-20
Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine—since he was priest of God Most High— / and he blessed Abram and said: “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, / and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of everything.Hebrews 6:20
where Jesus our forerunner has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.Hebrews 7:1-3
This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, / and Abraham apportioned to him a tenth of everything. First, his name means “king of righteousness.” Then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.” / Without father or mother or genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God, he remains a priest for all time.Hebrews 7:11
Now if perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood (for on this basis the people received the law), why was there still need for another priest to appear—one in the order of Melchizedek and not in the order of Aaron?Hebrews 7:15-16
And this point is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, / one who has become a priest not by a law of succession, but by the power of an indestructible life.Hebrews 7:24-25
But because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood. / Therefore He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them.Hebrews 7:26-28
Such a high priest truly befits us—One who is holy, innocent, undefiled, set apart from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. / Unlike the other high priests, He does not need to offer daily sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people; He sacrificed for sin once for all when He offered up Himself. / For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.Zechariah 6:13
Yes, He will build the temple of the LORD; He will be clothed in splendor and will sit on His throne and rule. And He will be a priest on His throne, and there will be peaceful counsel between the two.’Hebrews 5:10
and was designated by God as high priest in the order of Melchizedek.Hebrews 8:1
The point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven,Hebrews 9:11
But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that have come, He went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made by hands and is not a part of this creation.Hebrews 10:12-14
But when this Priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God. / Since that time, He waits for His enemies to be made a footstool for His feet, / because by a single offering He has made perfect for all time those who are being sanctified.

Psalm 89:34-36
My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips…

Hebrews 5:6
As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

Hebrews 6:13-18
For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, …

will not

Numbers 23:19
God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

thou

Genesis 14:18
And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.

Zechariah 6:13
Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.

Hebrews 6:20
Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

Jump to Previous

Jump to Next

Psalm 110

The LORD has sworn
This phrase emphasizes the certainty and divine authority behind the statement. In biblical context, when God swears an oath, it signifies an unchangeable and eternal decree. This is seen in other scriptures such as Hebrews 6:17-18, where God's oath is described as a guarantee of His promises. The use of "LORD" (YHWH) highlights the covenantal name of God, underscoring His faithfulness and sovereignty.

and will not change His mind:
This assures the immutability of God's purpose. In Numbers 23:19, it is stated that God is not like humans who change their minds. This phrase reinforces the idea that God's plans are steadfast and reliable. Theologically, it speaks to the doctrine of God's immutability, meaning His nature and promises remain constant throughout time.

“You are a priest forever
This part of the verse introduces the concept of an eternal priesthood, which is unique in the biblical narrative. Unlike the Levitical priesthood, which was temporary and hereditary, this priesthood is perpetual. This is a prophetic reference to Jesus Christ, who is described in Hebrews 7:24-25 as having a permanent priesthood, able to save completely those who come to God through Him.

in the order of Melchizedek.”
Melchizedek is a mysterious figure who appears in Genesis 14:18-20 as the king of Salem and priest of God Most High. His priesthood is significant because it predates the Levitical priesthood and is not based on lineage. This order is characterized by righteousness and peace, as seen in the meaning of Melchizedek's name and title. In Hebrews 7, Melchizedek is used as a type of Christ, illustrating the superiority and eternal nature of Jesus' priesthood. This connection highlights the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy in the New Testament revelation of Christ's role as both king and priest.

Persons / Places / Events

1. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant-keeping God of Israel, who makes an unchangeable oath.

2. The Messiah (Implied)
The one addressed in this verse, identified as a priest forever, pointing to Jesus Christ in the New Testament.

3. Melchizedek
A mysterious figure from Genesis, king of Salem and priest of God Most High, who blesses Abraham.

4. David (Implied Author)
Traditionally considered the author of this Psalm, speaking prophetically about the Messiah.

5. The Order of Melchizedek
A unique priestly order, distinct from the Levitical priesthood, characterized by eternal and royal priesthood.

Teaching Points

The Unchangeable Oath of God
God's promises are irrevocable and trustworthy. Believers can have confidence in His eternal plan and purposes.

The Eternal Priesthood of Christ
Jesus' priesthood is not temporary or limited like the Levitical priests. He intercedes for us eternally, providing a secure foundation for our faith.

The Unique Role of Melchizedek
Understanding Melchizedek helps us appreciate the uniqueness of Christ's priesthood, which combines both kingly and priestly functions.

The Fulfillment in Christ
Jesus fulfills the Old Testament prophecies and types, affirming the unity and reliability of Scripture.

Living Under Christ's Priesthood
As believers, we are called to live in the reality of Christ's eternal intercession, drawing near to God with confidence.

(4) After the order of Melchizedek.--This follows the LXX. and Vulg. Better, after the manner of since there could have been with the psalmist no intention of contrasting this priesthood with that of Aaron, as there naturally was when the Aaronic order had come to an end or was visibly doomed to extinction.

The previous history of Israel itself offered no example of the formal union of kingly and priestly offices in one person. It first appears in idea in Zechariah 6:12-13; in actual fact in the pontificate of Jonathan (1 Maccabees 10:21). It is true that the royal and priestly functions were sometimes united, especially in the case of David, and in 2Samuel 8:18, David's sons are called "priests" (in English version, "chief rulers;" margin, or princes). It was therefore necessary to go back to Melchizedek, in whom history recognised this sanctioned and formal union (Genesis 14:18). For the various points brought out in the Epistle to the Hebrews 6, 7, see New Testament Commentary.

Verse 4. - The Lord hath sworn, and he will not repent. "A fresh revelation" (Cheyne). David, admitted into the councils of the Most High, has been made aware that the Messiah is, by God's decree, to be both King and Priest. God has "sworn" this, and will certainly not draw back from his oath. Thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. Not, like ordinary priests, a priest for a few years, or for a lifetime, but a priest forever and ever (לעולם) - seeing "he ever liveth to make intercession for us" (Hebrews 7:25). And a priest "after the order of Melchizedek." Not, that is, after the order of Aaron, who was a priest and nothing more, but after that of Melchizedek, the elder priesthood, which combined the offices of priest and king (see Hebrews 5:6-10; Hebrews 7:1-10, 20-28). Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

The LORD
יְהוָ֨ה ׀ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

has sworn
נִשְׁבַּ֤ע (niš·ba‘)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7650: To seven oneself, swear

and will not
וְלֹ֥א (wə·lō)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

change His mind:
יִנָּחֵ֗ם (yin·nā·ḥêm)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5162: To sigh, breathe strongly, to be sorry, to pity, console, rue, to avenge

“You
אַתָּֽה־ (’at·tāh-)
Pronoun - second person masculine singular
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

are a priest
כֹהֵ֥ן (ḵō·hên)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3548: Priest

forever
לְעוֹלָ֑ם (lə·‘ō·w·lām)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5769: Concealed, eternity, frequentatively, always

in
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the order
דִּ֝בְרָתִ֗י (diḇ·rā·ṯî)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 1700: A cause, reason, manner

of Melchizedek.”
צֶֽדֶק׃ (ṣe·ḏeq)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4442: Melchizedek -- 'my king is right', an early king of Salem

Links

Psalm 110:4 NIV
Psalm 110:4 NLT
Psalm 110:4 ESV
Psalm 110:4 NASB
Psalm 110:4 KJVPsalm 110:4 BibleApps.com
Psalm 110:4 Biblia Paralela
Psalm 110:4 Chinese Bible
Psalm 110:4 French Bible
Psalm 110:4 Catholic BibleOT Poetry: Psalm 110:4 Yahweh has sworn and will not change (Psalm Ps Psa.)