God’s unbreakable oath in this verse assures us of a Savior-Priest who transcends all earthly limitations.
“The LORD has sworn and will not change His mind, ‘You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek’” (v.4). In this verse, the psalmist David proclaims a divine oath that sets up a priesthood distinct from the Levitical line. David lived around 1010-970 B.C., and Psalm 110 is often linked to his royal psalms. By saying “The LORD has sworn and will not change His mind” (v.4), we see an unbreakable promise that underscores God’s eternal faithfulness. This unchanging oath invests the designated individual with an everlasting priestly role, giving the verse a sense of permanence and destiny.
The figure of Melchizedek is significant because he first appears in Genesis as the King of Salem (Genesis 14:18). Salem, believed to be an ancient name for Jerusalem, is located in the region of Canaan in the southern Levant. Melchizedek’s encounter with Abraham took place around 2000 B.C., placing him well before the establishment of Israel’s priesthood under Aaron. By saying “You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek” (v.4), the psalm points to a priestly lineage that transcends the later Levitical system, which began centuries after Melchizedek’s time.
In the New Testament, the author of Hebrews draws upon Psalm 110:4 to show how Jesus fulfills this eternal priesthood (Hebrews 7:17). Unlike the priests who descended from Levi, Jesus is said to hold His priesthood permanently because He continues forever (Hebrews 7:24). This connection highlights the extraordinary nature of the promise: “The LORD has sworn and will not change His mind” (v.4) finds its ultimate expression in Christ’s unending role as our High Priest, linking the psalm’s ancient promise to the hope realized in the New Testament.
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Psalms 110:4 meaning
“The LORD has sworn and will not change His mind, ‘You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek’” (v.4). In this verse, the psalmist David proclaims a divine oath that sets up a priesthood distinct from the Levitical line. David lived around 1010-970 B.C., and Psalm 110 is often linked to his royal psalms. By saying “The LORD has sworn and will not change His mind” (v.4), we see an unbreakable promise that underscores God’s eternal faithfulness. This unchanging oath invests the designated individual with an everlasting priestly role, giving the verse a sense of permanence and destiny.
The figure of Melchizedek is significant because he first appears in Genesis as the King of Salem (Genesis 14:18). Salem, believed to be an ancient name for Jerusalem, is located in the region of Canaan in the southern Levant. Melchizedek’s encounter with Abraham took place around 2000 B.C., placing him well before the establishment of Israel’s priesthood under Aaron. By saying “You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek” (v.4), the psalm points to a priestly lineage that transcends the later Levitical system, which began centuries after Melchizedek’s time.
In the New Testament, the author of Hebrews draws upon Psalm 110:4 to show how Jesus fulfills this eternal priesthood (Hebrews 7:17). Unlike the priests who descended from Levi, Jesus is said to hold His priesthood permanently because He continues forever (Hebrews 7:24). This connection highlights the extraordinary nature of the promise: “The LORD has sworn and will not change His mind” (v.4) finds its ultimate expression in Christ’s unending role as our High Priest, linking the psalm’s ancient promise to the hope realized in the New Testament.