Psalm 110-111

Sep 12, 2023 • Pastor Daryl Zachman

“The LORD has sworn and will not relent, ‘You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.’” (Psalm 110:4, NKJV)

Psalm 110 is quoted more in the New Testament than any other. As David wrote it, he looked forward to the coming Messiah who would be his descendant according to God’s promise (2 Samuel 7:12, 16). The fact that David calls him “Lord” proves that He would not only be David’s son but also the Son of God. According to verse 4, He would also be a priest.

Now under the Old Covenant, all the priests came from the family of Aaron who was from the tribe of Levi. But David was from the tribe of Judah. So how could one of his descendants be a priest? David reaches back in time to an ancient priesthood that existed before the Law was given to Moses. When Abram returned from defeating the kings of the east, Melchizedek, who was a priest of God Most High and the king of Salem, brought out bread and wine. He blessed Abram, and Abram gave him a tenth of all the spoils he had received (Genesis 14:18-20). It is this priesthood that David points to show that the Messiah would not only be a King but also a Priest. And unlike the priests from Aaron’s family who grew old and died, this Priest would endure forever.

The author of Hebrews makes much of this priesthood of Christ, quoting Psalm 110:4 six times. What this means for us is that Christ appears in heaven as our merciful and faithful High Priest before the Father (Hebrews 2:17). He also lives to always intercede for us (Hebrews 7:25).

“This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” (Hebrews 4:15–16, NLT)

Can you use some mercy, grace and help today? Then come boldly to the throne of grace where you will find your faithful High Priest, Jesus Christ, who died for your sins and loves you so much that He never stops praying for you!