The Messianic Psalms
The book of Psalms takes its title from the Hebrew word Tehillim
which means “praises”. The English word is derived from the title given in
the Septuagint and refers to the stringed instruments used for worship.
Therefore the major theme of the Psalms is Praise of God in song.
There are a number of Messianic Psalms which refer directly
to the life of the Lord Jesus Christ. These do not stand alone but are accepted
and mentioned as such in the New Testament. The following Psalms are referred to
in various places in the New Testament: -
Psalm 2
:7 … “I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto
me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.” The apostle Paul in
Hebrews 1:5 uses this precise verse in speaking of the person of Jesus Christ.
This Psalm is about the King and fits the ministry of Christ perfectly.
Psalm 8
:2 … “Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings hast Thou
ordained strength”. Jesus Himself uses this text in Matthew 21:15-16 when the
religious leaders asked that He stop the children singing praises to Him, He
replied, “Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings
Thou hast perfected praise?”
4-6 … “What is man that Thou art mindful of him? and the
son of man, that Thou visiteth him? For Thou hast made him a little lower than
the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. Thou madest him to have
dominion over the works of Thy hands; Thou hast put all things under his feet”
These verses are echoed by Paul in Hebrews 2:6-11 and Hebrews 2:8. They speak of
Christ’s humanity and divinity. He represents the human race and will be given
the authority over all creation.
Psalm 16
:10 … “For Thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither
wilt Thou suffer Thine Holy One to see corruption.” Peter and Paul apply this
verse to the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 2:25-31, 13:25,
15:12-17). Therefore this is a psalm that contains prophecy concerning the
resurrection of Christ.
Psalm 22
:1 … “My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me?”
These words were used by Jesus on the cross (Matthew 27:46). The psalm portrays
His suffering as it appears that His Father’s protective presence was being
withdrawn.
:7-8 … “All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they
shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, He trusted on the LORD that He
would deliver Him: let Him deliver Him, seeing He delighted in Him.” These
words describe exactly the gestures of Christ’s enemies as they watched Him on
the cross. In Matthew 27:39 we read, “They that passed by reviled Him, wagging
their heads”. Also in Luke 23:35, “And the people stood beholding. And the
rulers also with them derided Him, saying, He saved others; let Him save
Himself, if He be Christ, the Chosen of God”.
:15 … “My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my
tongue cleaveth to my jaws.” This speaks of Christ’s thirst on the cross
(John 19:28).
:16 … “For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the
wicked have enclosed me: they pierced my hands and feet.” Isaiah 53:7 informs
us that Jesus would be pierced for our sins. The Gospel writers tell us about
the nails that pierced the hands and feet of the Lord, and that a spear pierced
His side (John 20:27).
:18 … “They parted my garments among them, and cast lots
upon my vesture.” There is no doubt that this verse prophesies the time when
the soldiers cast lots for the clothing of the Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 27:35;
John 19:23-24).
:22 … The apostle Paul has Jesus saying, “I will declare
Thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto
Thee”, (Hebrews 2:12). He sees this verse from the Psalms as being evidence
that Jesus would bring eternal life to all that believe, therefore making them
the children of God.
This entire Psalm must be seen as Messianic due to the
content that describes many things regarding the death and resurrection of the
Lord. Psalm twenty-two is quoted from and referred to on numerous occasions in
the New Testament.
Psalm 34
:20 … “He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is
broken.” This verse predicts precisely what happened to Jesus. In John
19:31-37 John tells us that the soldiers went out the break the legs of those
who hung on the crosses, but when they came to Jesus they found that He was
already dead. “For these things were done, that the scripture should be
fulfilled, A bone of Him shall not be broken” (:36).
Psalm 35
:11 … False witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge
things that I knew not.” Jesus was falsely accused by witnesses who were
bribed by the religious leaders (Mark 14:57).
Psalm 40
:6-8 … “Sacrifice and offering Thou didst not desire;
mine ears hast Thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast Thou not
required. Then said I, Lo, in the volume of the book it is written of me, I
delight to do Thy will, O my God: yea, Thy law is within my heart.” Paul uses
these words to describe the obedience of Christ to the Father (Hebrews 10:5-7).
Psalm 41
:9 … “Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted,
which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.” Jesus quoted
this verse and applied it to His betrayal by Judas Iscariot, (Luke 22:48).
Psalm 45
:6-7 … These two verses find fulfilment in the Lord Jesus
Christ. Paul applies these verses to Him in Hebrews 1:8-9 as he referred to the
divinity and eternal kingdom of Christ.
Psalm 68
:18 … “Thou has ascended on high, Thou has led captivity
captive: Thou hast received gifts for men...” This statement is used in
Ephesians 4:8 in reference to the Lord’s ascension into Heaven to rule as the
head of the church and to bring many into His kingdom.
Psalm 69
:4 … “They have hated me without a cause” is quoted in
John 15:25.
:9 … In John 2:17 we read, “And His disciples remembered
that it was written, The zeal of Thine house hath eaten me up”, this was after
Jesus had cleansed the temple the first time. The second part of this verse, “The
reproaches of them that reproached Thee are fallen upon me” is quoted in
Romans 15:3 by Paul as he spoke of Christ’s obedience.
:21 … Matthew 27:48 informs us that Jesus was given gall
and vinegar to drink as He hung on the cross. This is exactly what this verse
predicts.
:25 … “Let their habitation be desolate; and let another
dwell in their tents.” Peter, when speaking of who should replace Judas used
this verse.
This Psalm, along with Psalm 22, is one of the most
frequently quoted psalms in the New Testament.
Psalm 89
:4 … The New Testament see the fulfilment of this verse in
the Lord Jesus Christ. In Acts 13:23 Peter states: “Of the man’s seed hath
God according to His promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus”. And the
angel Gabriel revealed to Mary: “and the Lord God shall give unto Him the
throne of His father David … and of His kingdom there shall be no end” (Luke
1:32-33,69).
Psalm 102
:25-27 … These verses are quoted in Hebrews 1:10-12
referring to Christ’s part in the creation of the universe and His eternal
nature.
Psalm 109
:8 … “Let his days be few; and let another take his
office.” This is another verse that speaks of the replacement for Judas
Iscariot and may have been referred to in Acts 1:20.
Psalm 110
This entire psalm speaks of the Lordship of the Messiah, His
priesthood, His judgement on unbelievers, and His reign upon the earth. It
quoted from seven times in the New Testament in relation to the Lord Jesus
Christ.
:1 … Jesus applied this verse to Himself when speaking of
His deity (Matthew 22:44). Peter used it to emphasise the Lordship of Christ
(Acts 2:33-35, 5:30-31). Paul did the same in Hebrews 10:13.
:4 … Hebrews 5:6 and 6:19-7:28 makes use of this verse to
prove that God made Christ a priest forever.
Psalm 118
:22-23 … Jesus applied these verses to Himself because He
was rejected by Israel, his own people. He became the chief cornerstone of God’s
new house - the church. This verse is mentioned in Matthew 21:42; Mark 12:10;
Luke 20:17; Acts 4:11; Ephesians 2:20; 1 Peter 2:7).
:26 … “Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the
LORD.” This was sung during Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Matthew
21:9). The “Hosanna” part of the song comes from verse 21, “Save now” -
(Hebrew: hosh`iana, Greek: hosanna).
There are other psalms that the New Testament refers to
regarding the lord Jesus Christ, His Church, His kingdom, and His Lordship, but
those mentioned above are considered to be directly Messianic.
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