Psalms 110

Sit at My Right Hand

The LORD says to my lord,
“Sit at my right hand
until I make your enemies
a footstool for your feet.” The LORD sends out from Zion
the scepter of your strength:
“Rule among your enemies.” Your people offer themselves freely
on the day of your power,
in holy splendor.
From the womb of the dawn,
the dew of your youth is yours.

A Priest Forever

The LORD has sworn and will not change:
“You are a priest forever
according to the order of Melchizedek.” The Lord is at your right hand;
he shatters kings on the day of wrath. He judges among the nations, filling them with corpses;
he shatters heads over the broad earth. He drinks from the torrent along the way;
so he lifts up his head.

Translation guide

Two ways of attending to Scripture

TSW helps readers examine how the text is shaped. Fluent helps readers hear and absorb how the passage moves as a whole. They complement one another; neither is presented as the better or more faithful Bible.

TSW

Study & Discuss

Keeps more of the source text’s wording, patterns, structure, repetition, and interpretive questions visible. Use it to slow down, notice details, prepare to teach or preach, and explore Scripture with others.

Fluent

Read & Reflect

Expresses the passage in natural English for sustained reading, prayer, devotion, teaching, and growing biblical fluency. Use it to follow the movement of a passage and absorb Scripture as a whole.

Study help

Notes

Translation notes for Psalms 110.

v01

The first divine name is YHWH (“the LORD”); the second term is “my lord,” a different Hebrew word. The distinction is preserved.

v03

This verse is among the most difficult in the Psalter. The Masoretic wording supports images of voluntary offering, holy splendor, dawn, dew, and youth, but their syntax is compressed. The translation preserves those images without reconstructing a different Hebrew text.

v04

“According to the order of Melchizedek” may also carry the sense “after the manner of” or “because of” Melchizedek. The traditional rendering remains close to the Hebrew and leaves the relation open.

Study help

Vocabulary

Selected source-language vocabulary for Psalms 110.

v04

מַלְכִּי־צֶדֶק (Malki-tsedeq)

“Melchizedek,” a name traditionally understood as “king of righteousness,” recalling the priest-king of Genesis 14.

v04

כֹּהֵן (kohen)

“Priest,” one who serves in a sacred mediating office associated with worship, sacrifice, blessing, and instruction.