Psalms 110:7

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

He shall drink {H8354} of the brook {H5158} in the way {H1870}: therefore shall he lift up {H7311} the head {H7218}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He will drink from a stream as he goes on his way; therefore he will hold his head high.

Berean Standard Bible

He will drink from the brook by the road; therefore He will lift up His head.

American Standard Version

He will drink of the brook in the way: Therefore will he lift up the head.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 110:7 offers a profound prophetic glimpse into the character and destiny of the coming Messiah, portraying His humble endurance during His arduous mission and the subsequent, glorious triumph that results from it. This concise verse encapsulates the divine paradox of suffering preceding exaltation, revealing the necessary path to ultimate victory and sovereign rule.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 110 is arguably the most significant and frequently quoted Old Testament passage in the New Testament, universally recognized as a direct messianic prophecy. Attributed to King David, the psalm opens with the Lord's invitation to "my Lord" (the Messiah) to sit at His right hand, signifying supreme authority and honor, as seen in [Psalm 110:1](/psalms/110-1 "Psalm 110:1 - The Lord's Invitation to the Messiah"). It further foreshadows His eternal priesthood after the order of Melchizedek in [Psalm 110:4](/psalms/110-4 "Psalm 110:4 - The Melchizedekian Priesthood"). Verse 7, therefore, serves as the concluding statement, describing a crucial aspect of this triumphant King's journey—the necessary endurance and humble sustenance taken "in the way" that directly precedes and enables His ultimate exaltation and the full exercise of His dominion. It provides a vital link between the Messiah's divine appointment and His victorious fulfillment of that role.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Composed by King David, Psalm 110 reflects the ancient Near Eastern understanding of kingship, albeit elevated to a divine, eternal plane. Kings often led their armies into battle, enduring hardships alongside their troops. The imagery of "drinking of the brook in the way" evokes a scene of a warrior or traveler on a difficult campaign, taking quick, necessary refreshment without lingering for comfort or luxury. This pragmatic act ensures continued progress toward a goal. Culturally, "lifting up the head" was a common idiom signifying victory, honor, vindication, or the restoration of dignity, contrasting sharply with lowering the head in shame or defeat. The psalm, therefore, speaks to a royal figure who, despite His supreme authority, undergoes a period of humble endurance before His ultimate, divinely ordained triumph.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the psalm and broader biblical narrative. Foremost is **Messianic Prophecy**, as it directly foretells an aspect of the Messiah's journey—His willingness to endure hardship before His ultimate victory. This ties into the theme of **Humility and Endurance**, where the imagery of "drinking of the brook in the way" suggests a necessary act of sustenance during a difficult journey or battle, implying a swift, humble, and perhaps even arduous engagement with the realities of His mission, without lingering for comfort. This theme profoundly foreshadows Christ's earthly life of humility and suffering, even unto death, as articulated in [Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Humility Unto Death"). Following this endurance is the theme of **Victory and Exaltation**, where the phrase "therefore shall he lift up the head" directly signifies triumph, honor, and sovereign rule. After enduring the path, the Messiah is exalted, vindicated, and glorified, perfectly aligning with Christ's resurrection, ascension, and enthronement at the right hand of God, as described in [Ephesians 1:20-21](/ephesians/1-20 "Ephesians 1:20-21 - Christ's Seating at God's Right Hand"). Finally, the sequence of endurance leading to exaltation underscores **Divine Purpose and Sovereignty**, revealing God's perfect plan for His chosen King.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **drink (Hebrew, _shatah'_):** This verb implies a swift, necessary act of quenching thirst, rather than a leisurely or comfortable repose. In the context of a journey or battle, it suggests a pragmatic and unglamorous intake of sustenance, highlighting the Messiah's focused determination to complete His mission without seeking earthly comforts or distractions. It speaks to a humble, perhaps even hurried, refreshment.
* **brook (Hebrew, _nachal'_):** This term refers to a wadi, a seasonal stream, or a torrent, often found in arid regions. Unlike a mighty river, a _nachal_ can be temporary, unpredictable, and sometimes difficult to access. Its presence "in the way" suggests a readily available but not necessarily abundant or luxurious source of water. This imagery reinforces the idea of the Messiah's humble circumstances and His reliance on simple, immediate provisions during His arduous journey, rather than grand or opulent sustenance.
* **lift up the head (Hebrew, _yarim ro'sh'_):** This is a powerful biblical idiom signifying triumph, vindication, honor, and the assumption of authority. It stands in stark contrast to the lowering of the head in shame, defeat, or mourning. In this context, it denotes the Messiah's glorious exaltation, His public vindication after a period of humility and suffering, and His ultimate enthronement in sovereign power and dignity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He shall drink of the brook in the way":** This clause prophetically depicts the Messiah's humble and arduous journey. The act of "drinking of the brook" signifies His willingness to partake of simple, perhaps even difficult, sustenance found along His path. It speaks to His practical engagement with the realities of His mission, enduring hardship and relying on immediate, unglamorous provisions. This imagery underscores His solidarity with humanity and His necessary experience of suffering and self-denial as part of His redemptive work.
* **"therefore shall he lift up the head":** This clause presents the glorious and divinely ordained consequence of the Messiah's endurance and humble journey. The conjunction "therefore" establishes a direct cause-and-effect relationship: because He willingly endured the "brook in the way," He would be exalted. "Lifting up the head" symbolizes His ultimate triumph, vindication over His adversaries, restoration to supreme honor, and the full assumption of His sovereign authority and glory. It is the divine reward for His completed mission and endured suffering, culminating in His ultimate victory.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 110:7 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound messianic message. The most prominent is **Metaphor**, where "drinking of the brook in the way" serves as a powerful metaphorical representation of the Messiah's humble endurance, self-denial, and willingness to undergo hardship during His earthly mission. This imagery evokes a journey or campaign where sustenance is taken quickly and pragmatically, without comfort or luxury. Following this, the verse utilizes **Parallelism (Cause and Effect)**, explicitly linking the Messiah's act of "drinking of the brook" (the cause, representing His suffering and humility) to the outcome of "lifting up the head" (the effect, representing His exaltation and triumph) through the conjunction "therefore." This structure emphasizes the divine necessity and purposeful sequence of the Messiah's path. Additionally, the verse employs vivid **Imagery**, painting a concise but potent picture of a weary traveler or warrior taking a quick, necessary drink, immediately followed by the triumphant posture of one who has achieved victory and honor. This contrast between humble sustenance and glorious exaltation encapsulates the core theological truth of the Messiah's journey.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 110:7 stands as a poignant summary of the divine pattern for the Messiah: suffering preceding glory. It reveals that the path to ultimate authority and triumph for God's chosen King involves a necessary period of humble endurance and self-denial. This is not a detour but an integral part of the divine plan, demonstrating the Messiah's perfect obedience and His solidarity with humanity in its fallen state. The "brook in the way" signifies the practical, often unglamorous, realities of His mission, which He embraced fully. His subsequent exaltation, "lifting up the head," is the divinely appointed vindication and enthronement, a testament to God's faithfulness to His covenant promises and the ultimate triumph of His righteous King. This theological truth undergirds the entire Christian understanding of Christ's work, where His humiliation on the cross directly leads to His glorification at the right hand of God.

* [Philippians 2:8-9](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8-9 - Christ's Humility and Exaltation")
* [Hebrews 2:9](/hebrews/2-9 "Hebrews 2:9 - Jesus Crowned with Glory and Honor")
* [Luke 24:26](/luke/24-26 "Luke 24:26 - Christ's Suffering and Glory")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 110:7 offers profound encouragement and a compelling model for believers navigating the complexities of life. Just as Christ endured humility and suffering "in the way" before His glorious exaltation, we are called to embrace a similar path of perseverance and faith in the midst of our own trials and hardships. The imagery of "drinking of the brook" reminds us that our journey may involve moments of discomfort, self-denial, and reliance on simple, immediate provisions, rather than seeking constant comfort or luxury. These are the necessary acts of sustenance that enable us to continue our spiritual pilgrimage. This verse assures us that such endurance, when rooted in obedience to God's will, is not in vain. Our temporary struggles are part of a divine design, leading to ultimate triumph and spiritual exaltation. We are promised that if we suffer with Him, we shall also reign with Him, and our light and momentary afflictions are preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison. This truth empowers us to face challenges with hope, knowing that our "lifting up the head" in vindication and joy awaits us in Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding Christ's humble endurance, as depicted in Psalms 110:7, encourage you in your own current trials or moments of self-denial?**
* **In what "ways" are you currently "drinking of the brook," and how does the promise of ultimate exaltation sustain your hope and perseverance?**
* **How does this verse deepen your appreciation for the purposeful path Jesus walked to secure our salvation and the glory that followed?**

### FAQ

**Why is Psalm 110:7 considered a messianic prophecy?**

Answer: Psalm 110 as a whole is one of the most explicit and frequently cited Old Testament messianic prophecies in the New Testament. The psalm begins with God's invitation to "my Lord" to sit at His right hand ([Psalm 110:1](/psalms/110-1 "Psalm 110:1 - The Lord's Invitation")), a clear reference to the Messiah's supreme authority. It also prophesies His eternal priesthood after the order of Melchizedek ([Psalm 110:4](/psalms/110-4 "Psalm 110:4 - The Melchizedekian Priesthood")). Verse 7, therefore, concludes this prophetic narrative by describing an essential aspect of this divinely appointed King's journey—His necessary endurance before His ultimate triumph. New Testament authors and Jesus Himself consistently applied the entire psalm, including this verse's underlying theme of suffering leading to glory, directly to Christ.

**What does "drinking of the brook in the way" truly symbolize in this messianic context?**

Answer: In the messianic context, "drinking of the brook in the way" symbolizes the Messiah's humble endurance, self-denial, and willingness to undergo hardship during His earthly mission. It depicts a pragmatic act of quick, necessary sustenance, not one of comfort or luxury, taken amidst the rigors of a journey or battle. It represents the Messiah's full identification with humanity's struggles and His reliance on simple, immediate provisions as He pursued His redemptive purpose. This imagery foreshadows Christ's earthly life of humility, His facing of opposition, and His ultimate suffering, even unto death, demonstrating His unwavering focus on His mission without seeking worldly ease.

**How does "lifting up the head" relate to Christ's resurrection and ascension?**

Answer: The phrase "lifting up the head" perfectly encapsulates Christ's resurrection and ascension. It signifies His ultimate triumph, vindication, and the assumption of His rightful sovereign authority and honor. After His profound humiliation and suffering, culminating in His death on the cross, His resurrection was God's public declaration of His victory over sin and death. His ascension to the right hand of God, as described in [Acts 2:33](/acts/2-33 "Acts 2:33 - Christ's Exaltation to God's Right Hand"), is the ultimate "lifting up of the head"—His enthronement as King and High Priest, where He now reigns in glory and exercises all authority in heaven and on earth. This sequence directly fulfills the prophetic pattern of suffering leading to glory found in Psalms 110:7.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 110:7 finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "brook in the way" vividly portrays the humble, arduous path Jesus walked during His earthly ministry. He did not come as an earthly king in splendor, but as a servant, enduring hunger, thirst, weariness, and constant opposition from religious leaders and the world. His life was one of self-denial, epitomized by His teaching that the Son of Man had nowhere to lay His head ([Matthew 8:20](/matthew/8-20 "Matthew 8:20 - The Son of Man Has Nowhere to Lay His Head")). The ultimate "drinking of the brook" was His agonizing prayer in Gethsemane, where He wrestled with the "cup" of God's wrath, choosing obedience to the Father's will even unto death on the cross ([Luke 22:42](/luke/22-42 "Luke 22:42 - Jesus' Prayer in Gethsemane")). Because of this profound humility and perfect obedience, even to the point of death, God "therefore" highly exalted Him. The "lifting up the head" is powerfully realized in Christ's triumphant resurrection from the dead, His vindication over sin and death, and His glorious ascension to the right hand of the Father, where He now reigns as King of kings and Lord of lords ([Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9 "Philippians 2:9-11 - God Exalted Jesus") and [Acts 2:33-36](/acts/2-33 "Acts 2:33-36 - Peter's Sermon on Christ's Exaltation")). Thus, Psalms 110:7 perfectly encapsulates the divine pattern of Christ's suffering, which was the necessary prelude to His eternal glory and sovereign rule.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 27:6

And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.

Judges 7:5

So he brought down the people unto the water: and the LORD said unto Gideon, Every one that lappeth of the water with his tongue, as a dog lappeth, him shalt thou set by himself; likewise every one that boweth down upon his knees to drink.

Judges 7:6

And the number of them that lapped, [putting] their hand to their mouth, were three hundred men: but all the rest of the people bowed down upon their knees to drink water.

Matthew 26:42

He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.

Philippians 2:7

But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

Philippians 2:11

And [that] every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ [is] Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Hebrews 2:9

But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.