Psalms 110:7 Meaning: Refreshment on the Way to Victory
He will drink of the brook on the way; therefore he will lift up his head.
He shall drink of the brook in the way: therefore shall he lift up the head.
He will drink of the brook in the way: Therefore will he lift up the head.
From a brook in the way he drinketh, Therefore he doth lift up the head!
He shall drink of the brook in the way; therefore shall he lift up the head.
Meaning in one sentence
Psalm 110:7 describes the king drinking from a brook on the way and then lifting his head in triumph. See how this points to Christ and your own journey.
Context
Psalm 110 is a royal psalm, attributed to David, that describes a priest-king seated at God's right hand. The chapter tells of his enthronement, his people's willing service, and his judgment over the nations. It concludes with a quiet but powerful image: the king, in the midst of his victorious campaign, stops to drink from a brook by the road. This refreshment enables him to lift his head, an ancient sign of triumph and honor. The verse has been read in two main ways: as a picture of the Messiah's suffering before his exaltation, or as a warrior's simple replenishment that fuels ongoing victory. Both readings agree that the path to glory includes a moment of humble need.
Key Words
The Hebrew word for 'brook' is naḥal, a wadi in the desert that can carry water after rains but often lies dry. In a parched land, finding water in such a place was pure gift. The 'way' (derek) means more than a road; it carries the sense of a life's journey or calling. The verb 'drink' (shaṭah) can be literal or figurative; elsewhere it describes drinking the cup of God's wrath (Job 21:20). This double meaning gives the verse its depth: the king takes actual refreshment, but the words also echo costly drinking. The phrase 'lift up his head' (yarim rosh) is a clear idiom for victory and honor, used in Psalms 3:3 and 27:6. The one who drinks from the brook is the one who triumphs.
How Christians Read This Verse
Interpreters across traditions highlight different aspects. Matthew Henry (Reformed) sees the king conquering his enemies, the brook a momentary pause in the pursuit. Adam Clarke (Methodist) applies the verse to Christ's suffering, the brook being the agony of the cross, followed by resurrection. Barnes (Protestant) emphasizes the refreshment that enables the king to press his victory. Calvin (Reformed) focuses on the messianic context of the whole psalm. All agree the path leads to exaltation, though whether the cup is suffering or refreshment remains a question Christians continue to ponder together.
A common misunderstanding
A common misreading assumes that 'drink of the brook' shows weakness, as if the king is so exhausted he must collapse. In fact, the Bible uses a similar image in Judges 7:5-6, where drinking in a certain way identifies God's chosen warriors. Stopping for water is wise self-care, not defeat. The verse ends with lifted head, a posture of triumph and confidence, not fatigue.
Living This Out
This week you may find yourself on a difficult path: a task that drains you, a season of waiting, a struggle that feels relentless. The king in this verse does not push through without pausing. He finds the brook. For you, that brook might be five minutes of silence, a Psalm read slowly, a friend who listens without fixing. Drink from it. Do not rush past the provision God places on your way. Then trust that He will lift your head, not because you earned it, but because He gives refreshment and exaltation in His time.
Main takeaway: On the path to victory, the King stops to drink from the stream God provides, and because of that refreshment He lifts His head in triumph.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
This verse is about a brave king who gets thirsty while fighting a big battle. He finds a little stream and takes a drink. Then he feels strong again and holds his head up high. God gives us little drinks of help so we can keep going.
For ages 9, 12
Psalm 110:7 shows a king who is in the middle of a hard fight. He stops at a stream to drink. That simple act refreshes him, and he can lift up his head, which means he wins. For us, the 'brook' might be a quiet moment with God, a good talk with a parent, or a verse that gives you strength. Even Jesus had to 'drink' from the cup of suffering before He was raised up. This verse reminds us that taking time for refreshment is not weakness; it is what helps us be strong.
Questions People Ask
What does 'drink of the brook' mean in Psalm 110:7?
It is a poetic image. Literally, a king on a military campaign stops at a stream to drink. Figuratively, it may represent the Messiah's suffering (drinking the cup of wrath) or simply the refreshment needed to continue the victory. The 'brook' is a wadi, a seasonal stream, which in Israel's dry climate was a welcome provision.
Who is the king in Psalm 110?
The psalm is messianic; Jesus himself applied it to himself (Matthew 22:42-45). David wrote it about the Lord (Adonai) who sits at God's right hand. Christians have historically understood this as a prophecy of Christ as both king and priest.
How does verse 7 relate to the rest of the psalm?
Verses 1-4 establish the king's enthronement and eternal priesthood. Verses 5-6 describe his judgment over the nations. Verse 7 concludes with a personal detail: the king himself is sustained on the way. It humanizes the victorious figure, showing that even he needs refreshment.
Why does the king lift up his head after drinking?
Lifting the head is an ancient idiom for triumph, honor, and confidence (cf. Psalm 3:3, 27:6). After being refreshed, the king is able to continue his mission and ultimately be exalted. Some see this as a resurrection image.
Does this verse refer to Jesus' crucifixion?
Some Christian interpreters, like Wesley and Adam Clarke, see the 'brook' as Jesus' suffering and the 'lifting of the head' as his resurrection and exaltation. Others see it as a more general picture of refreshment. The passage does not explicitly mention the cross, but the surrounding messianic context invites connection to Christ's humiliation and glory.
For pastors & researchers
Hebrew interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study