The Meaning of Psalms 110:4 Explained

Psalms 110:4

KJV: The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.

YLT: Jehovah hath sworn, and doth not repent, 'Thou art a priest to the age, According to the order of Melchizedek.'

Darby: Jehovah hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art priest for ever after the order of Melchisedek.

ASV: Jehovah hath sworn, and will not repent: Thou art a priest for ever After the order of Melchizedek.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

The LORD  hath sworn,  and will not repent,  Thou [art] a priest  for ever  after the order  of Melchizedek. 

What does Psalms 110:4 Mean?

Study Notes

repent
.
repented
Repentance (O.T.), Summary: In the O.T., repentance is the English word used to translate the Heb. nacham, to be "eased" or "comforted." It is used of both God and man. Notwithstanding the literal meaning of nacham, it is evident, from a study of all the passages, that the sacred writers use it in the sense of metanoia in the N.T.--a change of mind. Matthew 3:2 (See Scofield " Acts 17:30 ") . As in the N.T., such change of mind is often accompanied by contrition and self-judgment. When applied to God the word is used phenomenally according to O.T. custom. God seems to change His mind. The phenomena are such as, in the case of man, would indicate a change of mind.

Verse Meaning

Yahweh has made an affirmation in the most definite way possible and will not change His mind (cf. Hebrews 7:11-1830; Psalm 89:3; Psalm 89:28-29; Psalm 89:34-35; Psalm 132:11). [1] Messiah will be a priest forever in the order of (i.e, after the manner of) Melchizedek (lit. king of righteousness). [2]," Westminster Theological Journal49 (1987):195-211.] This is the first reference in Scripture to this "order" of priests. Melchizedek ruled over Salem (lit. peace), the ancient name for Jerusalem, where David also ruled. Melchizedek was also a priest of the Most High God ( Genesis 14:18; cf. Hebrews 7:1). Thus he was both a king and a priest. Messiah would also be a king and a priest. In this sense, Messiah was a priest in the "order" of Melchizedek. He continued the type of priesthood Melchizedek had, namely, a kingly or royal priesthood.
If Yahweh sets up Messiah as a priest "forever," the Aaronic order of priests must end as God"s appointed order (cf. Hebrews 5:6; Hebrews 6:20; Hebrews 7:17; Hebrews 7:21). As both the Priest and the sacrificial Lamb, Messiah offered Himself as a substitute sacrifice on the cross (cf. Hebrews 7:27-28; Hebrews 10:10). Jesus was not of Aaron"s line since He descended from the tribe of Judah (cf. 1711618323_4). He is the new eternal High Priest (cf. Hebrews 7:21-26; Hebrews 7:28), and He mediates the New Covenant that replaces the Old Mosaic Covenant (cf. Hebrews 8:13; Hebrews 9:15).

Context Summary

Psalm 110:1-7 - Our Priest-King At God's Right Hand
Luther describes this psalm as "the true, high, main psalm of our beloved Lord Jesus Christ." Our Lord attributed it to David, in the power of the Holy Spirit; and there is no portion of the Old Testament more frequently quoted in the New. See Matthew 22:44; 1 Corinthians 15:25; Hebrews 1:3; Hebrews 1:13; Hebrews 5:6; Hebrews 5:10; Hebrews 7:17; Hebrews 7:21. David speaks of the Messiah as my Lord. The inference as to the deity of our Lord is incontestable. His mighty scepter, the symbol of his rule, reaches from Son to the utmost limits of space and time. He waits till all his enemies are His footstool. Their character is evident in their attire-the beauties of holiness. They are as numerous and refreshing as dewdrops on parched meadows. There is an infinite attractiveness between our Savior and young life-thy youth.
The offices of priest and king were jealously kept apart in the old Hebrew monarchy, so the psalmist has to travel into the childhood of the world to find the type of a priesthood. Jesus is King and Priest after a more ancient and abiding order, which, it is testified, is based on a timeless life. Our Lord shall come to the throne from the battlefield. He shall bruise the serpent's head, but He needs the refreshment of our love and faith. That is the wayside brook. [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalm 110

1  The kingdom
4  The priesthood
5  The conquest
7  And the passion of Christ

What do the individual words in Psalms 110:4 mean?

Has sworn Yahweh and not will relent You [are] a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek
נִשְׁבַּ֤ע יְהוָ֨ה ׀ וְלֹ֥א יִנָּחֵ֗ם אַתָּֽה־ כֹהֵ֥ן לְעוֹלָ֑ם עַל־ דִּ֝בְרָתִ֗י מַלְכִּי־ צֶֽדֶק

נִשְׁבַּ֤ע  Has  sworn 
Parse: Verb, Nifal, Perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: שָׁבַע  
Sense: to swear, adjure.
יְהוָ֨ה ׀  Yahweh 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
וְלֹ֥א  and  not 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Adverb, Negative particle
Root: הֲלֹא 
Sense: not, no.
יִנָּחֵ֗ם  will  relent 
Parse: Verb, Nifal, Imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: נָחַם  
Sense: to be sorry, console oneself, repent, regret, comfort, be comforted.
אַתָּֽה־  You  [are] 
Parse: Pronoun, second person masculine singular
Root: אַתְּ 
Sense: you (second pers.
כֹהֵ֥ן  a  priest 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: כֹּהֵן  
Sense: priest, principal officer or chief ruler.
לְעוֹלָ֑ם  forever 
Parse: Preposition-l, Noun, masculine singular
Root: עֹולָם  
Sense: long duration, antiquity, futurity, for ever, ever, everlasting, evermore, perpetual, old, ancient, world.
עַל־  According  to 
Parse: Preposition
Root: עַל 
Sense: upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against.
דִּ֝בְרָתִ֗י  the  order 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular construct
Root: דִּבְרָה  
Sense: cause, manner, reason.
צֶֽדֶק  Melchizedek 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: מַלְכִּי־צֶדֶק  
Sense: king of Salem and priest of the Most High God to whom Abram paid tithe after the battle he fought to free Lot; ‘the order of Melchizedek’ the order of the priesthood to which Christ belongs.