Psalm 110:7 - Printer Friendly

ESV: He will drink from the brook by the way; therefore he will lift up his head.

NIV: He will drink from a brook along the way, and so he will lift his head high.

NASB: He will drink from the brook by the wayside; Therefore He will lift up His head.

CSB: He will drink from the brook by the road; therefore, he will lift up his head.

NLT: But he himself will be refreshed from brooks along the way. He will be victorious.

KJV: He shall drink of the brook in the way: therefore shall he lift up the head.

NKJV: He shall drink of the brook by the wayside; Therefore He shall lift up the head.

This statement comes after declaring that "the Lord," meaning Jesus Christ the Messiah, is invested both with kingly (Psalm 110:1–2) and priestly status (Psalm 110:4). Only this combination, in a divine and eternal God the Son, makes Jesus fit to be the ultimate sacrifice for all human sin (Hebrews 8:1–2). His role will eventually lead to His return, this time for judgment on all sin and evil (Revelation 19:11–15).

Despite the massive success of this conquest, "the Lord," meaning Christ, will remain invigorated and refreshed. The reference to drinking from a stream and keeping the head up suggest power, confidence, and vindication. This will not be the meek and humble way in which Jesus first arrived on earth (Luke 2:16). Philippians 2:7–8 says He "emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." But His exaltation followed. Verse 9 says, "Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name."

Psalm 110:5–7 completes a series of declarations regarding a "Lord" who is spoken to by God the Father, yet who is also greater than David. This passage uses symbolic language to describe the extent of this "Lord's" eventual victory and rule over the earth. Enemy kings are overwhelmingly defeated, while the blessed One is refreshed and affirmed.

David records statements made between two persons, described using the Hebrew terms YHWH and Adonai. These are promises made by God the Father to the Messiah. Adonai is guaranteed total victory over the earth as well as an unending priesthood. These references point to someone who is both king and priest: Jesus Christ, a descendant of David.

This is the most-often cited psalm in the New Testament. Psalm 110:1 is quoted in Matthew 22:44, Mark 12:36, Luke 20:42–43, Acts 2:34–35, and Hebrews 1:13. The book of Hebrews extensively comments on the meaning of Psalm 110:4. Many other verses refer to subjects touched on in the psalm. David hears YHWH speaking to someone David identifies as his "Lord." This helps to ground important concepts such as the Trinity and Jesus' role as Messiah.

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.