After the Order of Melchizedek

Psalms 102–103; 110; 116–119; 127–128; 135–139; 146–150

Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. Psalm 110:4

Introduction:

Psalm 110 holds the distinction of being the most frequently quoted Old Testament text in the New Testament, serving as a foundational pillar for early Christian understandings of the identity and mission of Jesus Christ. Traditionally attributed to King David, this brief but extraordinarily dense poem is a royal enthronement psalm, originally intended to be chanted and performed during the coronation rituals of ancient Israelite monarchs.

It dramatizes the king’s divine adoption, his authority, and his dual role as both sovereign and priest in the tradition of Jerusalem’s older heritage. The Psalm opens with a celestial oracle where Jehovah addresses David’s “Lord,” inviting him to sit at the “right hand” of power until his enemies are subdued. Midrashic traditions on Psalm 110 identify Abraham as the archetype for this priest-king role.

The theological heart of the Psalm, however, lies in verse 4, where the Lord swears an immutable oath: “Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek”. This declaration was revolutionary because it united the offices of King and Priest into a single figure, shattering the strict separation of these roles maintained under the Mosaic Law. While the Aaronic priesthood was determined strictly by biological lineage, the “order of Melchizedek” represents a higher, eternal authority that transcends earthly descent and the “law of a carnal commandment”.

Outline of Psalm 110

Enthronement and Divine Vice-Regency (Verses 1-2)

The opening of the Psalm, “The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand,” is interpreted as a divine invitation to the new king to share God’s throne.

The Right Hand: The right hand represents the concept of the yeshivah, literally meaning “sitting down” in the divine presence. In the Book of Mormon, prophets repeatedly use “sitting down in the kingdom of God” with the ancient patriarchs to describe entering a permanent state of exaltation, rest, and peace. For example, early Christians understood this verse as referring to Jesus Christ taking His throne on Mount Zion at God’s right hand. Sitting at God’s right hand represents the final stage of Atonement, where the individual is reconciled and welcomed back into the celestial council. It is a state of exaltation where the righteous mingle with the Gods and partake of eternal life.
The Footstool: The promise that enemies will be made a “footstool” is linked to the ritual combat found in ancient Year Rites and coronations. This is captured by the word proskynesis where subjects fall to the earth and smell the earth at the king’s feet to show total submission to divine authority. In the Ancient Near East, victorious kings were depicted resting their feet on the necks or bodies of bound, cowering captives.
The Scepter: Verse 2 mentions the Lord sending the “rod of thy strength out of Zion.” This scepter (or rod) is a primary symbol of regal authority and divine power, signifying the king’s role in upholding divine law.

Divine Sonship and “Birth from Above” (Verse 3)

Verse 3 is central to the concept of sacramental rebirth.

Ritual Birth: According to Margaret Barker, verse 3 outlines a sacred ceremony in the Holy of Holies, the dwelling of angels, where the king was transformed into a divine being.
Unity with Deity: This “birth” or transformation represents a state where Jehovah and the human king become “One”, signifying that the king acts as God’s literal representative on earth.
Symbolism of Dew: In some ancient traditions, the “dew” in this verse is thought to be the anointing oil, a substance which changes a person into an “angel of the Lord.”

The Oath and the Melchizedek Priesthood (Verse 4)

Verse 4 contains the famous declaration: “The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek”.

The Solemn Oath: President Joseph Fielding Smith noted that this is the “most solemn and binding form of speech,” where the Father personally guarantees the status of the Son (and the faithful) with an unalterable oath.
Higher Priesthood: This verse is one of only two in the Hebrew Bible that mentions Melchizedek. It establishes a priesthood that is “unchangeable” and bestows the “power of an endless life”. This unites the offices of King and Priest, which were strictly separated under the Law of Moses.

Day of Wrath and Eventual Triumphant (Verses 5–7)

Verses 5–6: The Day of Wrath. Jehovah’s position at the King’s right hand represents victory. The Priest-King will bring justice on the “day of his wrath” (Judgment Day), crushing enemy kings and covering the battlefield with the fallen.

Verse 7: Triumphant Refreshment. The King drinks from a brook and lifts his head to conclude the Psalm. This represents Christ’s triumphant and glorious victory after his ultimate battle against his foes.

The Ritual Pattern in Psalm 110

The Pattern of Jesus Christ: Jesus is viewed as the “great prototype” of Psalm 110, having obtained the fullness of the priesthood and His throne through perfect obedience.

Democratization of Royalty: While originally applied to the monarch, these blessings were eventually “democratized” in some traditions, suggesting that all the faithful who “overcome” can sit with the Lord on His throne.

Temple Ascent: The Psalm is part of a larger “sacred drama” or temple liturgy involving washing, anointing, and clothing, intended to take participants from a mortal state and elevate them to a higher realm.

The Melchizedek Priesthood is the divine authority God has delegated to accomplish His work ” to bring to pass the… eternal life of man ” (Moses 1:39). In 1829, it was conferred upon Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery by the Savior’s Apostles Peter, James, and John (see Doctrine and Covenants 27:12). It is sacred and powerful beyond our powers to describe. The keys of the priesthood are the powers to direct the exercise of priesthood authority.
President Dallin H. Oaks

A Priest Forever After the Order of Melchizedek

This is a significant phrase which needs attention.

There are those who criticize the church’s use of Melchizedek, not realizing that Christ is the great exemplar and our Heavenly Father wants His children to have all that He has (Doctrine and Covenants 84).

To be “A Priest For Ever After the Order of Melchizedek” is to hold a specific, divine authority that transcends earthly lineage, is eternal in its duration, and is characterized by the dual roles of King and Priest. This title, most famously found in Psalm 110:4 and extensively analyzed in the Epistle to the Hebrews and the Book of Mormon, defines the highest order of priesthood power granted by God to man.

The name Melchizedek means “my king is righteousness” or “king of righteousness” (Hebrews 7:2). He was “king of Salem (peace)” a community that sought heaven and obtained it, like Enoch’s people (see Moses 7). There is a wordplay on the name Melchizedek and his role as king of Salem. Salem is related the Hebrew word Shalom which means peace.

The following are characteristics of this order:

1. The Order of the Son of God

While the priesthood is named after the man Melchizedek to avoid the too-frequent repetition of the name of Deity, its original name is the “Holy Priesthood, after the Order of the Son of God”. This means that the order is patterned after Jesus Christ himself, who is the Great High Priest. Holders of this priesthood are meant to be “made like unto the Son of God,” acting as his agents in administering salvation to mankind.

2. Eternal and Without Lineage

Unlike the Aaronic (or Levitical) priesthood, which was restricted to a specific tribe and passed from father to son, the Melchizedek order is not dependent on biological descent.

“Without father, without mother”: In the context of the Joseph Smith Translation (JST) and ancient typology, this refers to the order of the priesthood rather than the man himself; it does not have a beginning or end dictated by human birth or death.
Eternal Duration: It is an “everlasting principle” that existed before the foundation of the world and continues “beyond the grave”. Those ordained to it are promised “the power of an endless life,” meaning their priesthood function continues eternally.

3. The Union of King and Priest

The Order of Melchizedek uniquely unites the offices of monarchy and ministry, which were strictly separated under the Law of Moses.

Melchizedek as a Type: Melchizedek was the King of Salem and the Priest of the Most High God.
Messianic Fulfillment: This dual role foreshadowed Jesus Christ, who reigns as the King of Kings and serves as the eternal High Priest and Mediator between God and man. Holders of this priesthood are given the promise that they, too, may eventually become “kings and priests” unto the Most High.

4. Received by an Oath and Covenant

The phrase “The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent” signifies that this priesthood is conferred with a divine oath.

God’s Oath: Unlike the Levitical priests who were made without an oath, the Melchizedek priesthood is backed by God’s own sworn word, which is immutable and irreversible.
The Promise: Through this oath, God promises the faithful holder “all that [the] Father hath,” including eternal life and exaltation.

5. Spiritual Power and Ordinances

To be a priest after this order is to hold the keys to all the spiritual blessings of the Church. This includes:

The Power of Godliness: The power of Godliness is manifest through the ordinances of this priesthood, such as the gift of the Holy Ghost and temple endowments.
Miraculous Power: Anciently, those ordained to this order, like Enoch, were given power by faith to “break mountains,” “divide the seas,” and “subdue principalities and powers”.
Sealing Power: This order holds the keys to bind on earth and in heaven, enabling families to be united for eternity and individuals to have their “calling and election made sure”.

In summary, being a priest after the order of Melchizedek means entering into a “perfect law of theocracy” to act as a representative of Jesus Christ, holding the authority to administer the gospel, perform saving ordinances, and ultimately lead others into the “rest of the Lord”.

Conclusion:

Ultimately, Psalm 110 serves as a witness to an eternal priesthood order that has existed “from the beginning of time,” allowing mortals, who prove faithful in their probation, to eventually “inherit the kingdom of God” and sit at His right hand.