This is Chapter Six of a New Study I developed for Faith Baptist Church on Wednesday Nights. I’d love to hear what you think.
So, I did an internet an internet search “Jesus Christ in the Psalms”. That took me to http://www.gotquestions.com and the list of 89 images of Christ in the Psalms OK are you ready?
Well we can’t do that in an hour or going to chapter but let’s hit some high points
In the 24th chapter of Luke Jesus appears to his disciples in his resurrection body. They were frightened and full of doubt v38 says why are you troubled and why do you have doubts rising in your mind? v39 says look at my hands and feet it is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.
Then he asked for took and ate fish with them to show that he was real. Then v44 everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and the psalms.
So in the Old Testament we get a picture of Christ but it never becomes real it’s just a spirit, ghost, a pneuma (breath). But we see the breath in the Old Testament and then we see the flesh and bone, the reality born, lived, died, rose again, and so now we are inhabited by the pneuma, God spirit.
In the psalms we see
1) Who he is
The book of Hebrews makes the connection between the Old Testament the law and the prophets and the psalms and Christ
Hebrews 1:5; Psalm 2:7;
Hebrews 1-8-9; Psalm 45:6-7
Hebrews 1:10-12; Psalm 102:25-27
Hebrews 1:13; Psalm 110:1
So God explains who is predicted and who fulfilled those predictions
Then we see
2) What He would Do
The Will of God – Psalm 40:7-8
Rule – Psalm 45:6-7; 110:1-2
Priest – Psalm 110:4
He would
3) Be Rejected
Psalm 118:22-23; 41:9;
John 13:18
What happened to David was a foreshadow of Christ
4) Suffering and Death
Psalm 22
5) Resurrection
Psalm 16:8-11; Acts 2:29-35 – Peter preached it
Paul understood it and applied David’s words about the Christ being fulfilled in Jesus – Acts 13:32-39
Adapted from
Jackson, Jason. “A Study of Messianic Psalms.” ChristianCourier.com. Access date: May 11, 2016. https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/1198-study-of-messianic-psalms-a
Tim Keller interviewed by http://www.religionNews.com about his “christo-centric” views of scripture says “Jesus himself said numerous times that various psalms were referring to him … If he read the Psalms in a “Christological” way, then so do we.”
So David on the throne is a Type of Christ
The Antitype or Fulfillment then is Christ on the throne in Jerusalem on that of the universe.
Go to Psalm 2 – The Messiah as King
V1 Why do the nations rage/conspire?
Because IF Jesus is Lord, Messiah, King … then WE are responsible to HIM …
Psalm 2:1–3 (NIV84)Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? 2 The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his Anointed One. 3 “Let us break their chains,” they say, “and throw off their fetters.”
Revelation 19:19–21 (NIV84)Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to make war against the rider on the horse and his army. 20 But the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who had performed the miraculous signs on his behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped his image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. 21 The rest of them were killed with the sword that came out of the mouth of the rider on the horse, and all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh.
Revelation 20:7–10 (NIV84)When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth—Gog and Magog—to gather them for battle. In number they are like the sand on the seashore. 9 They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of God’s people, the city he loves. But fire came down from heaven and devoured them. 10 And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
Do you see it? The Nations Rage
Psalm 2:4–7 (NIV84)The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. 5 Then he rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying, 6 “I have installed my King on Zion, my holy hill.” 7 I will proclaim the decree of the Lord: He said to me, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father.
Acts 13:33 (NIV84)he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus. As it is written in the second Psalm: “ ‘You are my Son; today I have become your Father.’
V9 you will rule over them with an iron scepter … you will dash them to pieces like pottery
THEREFORE … V10 –
Be Wise; be Warned
Serve the Lord (YHWH) with Fear
Rejoice (giyl) = shout in exultation with trembling
- I think we need more expressiveness in worship,, but must also tremble that it ever is about anything BUT Jesus … the moment it becomes about ME or anything BUT Jesus … it ceases to be God honoring scriptural worship
Kiss the Son
- If you don’t honor the son, you are not pleasing the Father
Blessed (esher) = happy … Those who Refuge (chacah – khawsaw)
While God laughs at his enemies’ plans, yet he calls them to repentance beginning here in v10
Happiness is NOT in our plans, our desires, our control
Happiness is in RUNNING to Jesus. Why? Because John 3:18 is true, we ARE condemned already. We need to run for refuge
Proverbs 18:10 (NIV84)The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
A “City of Refuge” is a picture of Christ. There were 6 cities, 3 on each side of the Jordan. If you were guilty of accidental death, you could run flee to one of these cities for protection. You had to then stay there till the High Priest died or was no longer in office
Hebrews 6:18–19 (NIV84)God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged. 19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,
Psalm 18:1–10 (NIV84)I love you, O Lord, my strength. 2 The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. 3 I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies. 4 The cords of death entangled me; the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me. 5 The cords of the grave coiled around me; the snares of death confronted me. 6 In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears. 7 The earth trembled and quaked, and the foundations of the mountains shook; they trembled because he was angry. 8 Smoke rose from his nostrils; consuming fire came from his mouth, burning coals blazed out of it. 9 He parted the heavens and came down; dark clouds were under his feet. 10 He mounted the cherubim and flew; he soared on the wings of the wind.
Psalm 18:30–31 (NIV84)As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. 31 For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God?
Psalm 22 – The Cross
Written “to the tune of ‘the Doe of the Morning’” Ok … Ready … 1,2,3,4, … Anyone, Anyone? Don’t you know that tune? Me either. But Jesus would have known these songs … This is a song book
V1 My God, My God, why have you forsaken me? Why … so far from saving me … from the words of my groaning?
Do you ever feel like God is too far to hear, too far to save, like you are all alone and forsaken?
But truly Jesus is full acquainted with our grief, a man of sorrows … Isaiah 53:3
There on the cross, the disciples ran away. The crowds who cheered him on Sunday, shouted “crucify him” on Friday. He hangs between heaven and earth and at noon, darkness fell – an eclipse – As moon blocks the sun, so it seems the death of the son blocks the very glory of God … and as he becomes sin for us (2 Cor 5:21) the Father can no longer bear to look at the sin he became and the sorrow he bore. Then Christ, after feeling the separation for three hours cries “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani
V2 You do not answer
Oh certainly prayers were being offered for Jesus, but there was no affirmative answer. Oh aren’t you glad that God doesn’t always answer our prayers with what is easy or expedient, so that his plans and purposes may be fulfilled.
Have you every prayed this way? It’s OK … Jesus did too
M.Henry suggests that Christ may have quoted the entire Psalm either here or in the garden or both.
Hebrews 5:7 (NIV84)During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.
This wasn’t Jesus’ only cry to God … his 33 years were years of anguish, tears, and longing.
Psalm 22:3–5 (NIV84)Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the praise of Israel. 4 In you our fathers put their trust; they trusted and you delivered them. 5 They cried to you and were saved; in you they trusted and were not disappointed.
Confess your reason to trust even as trust seems impossible and deliverance elusive
V6 but I am a Worm … Ignored, trampled on, detested
V7 all who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads:
V8 he trusts in the Lord; let the Lord rescue him
Matthew 27:39 (NIV84)Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads
Matthew 27:43 (NIV84)He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ”
vv9-10 – but I have always followed you … so I won’t stop now
v11 – do not be far from me … for trouble is near … there is none to help
none = ayin = non-existence – help is nonexistent
vv12-13 – Bulls are ready to gore me; lions have their mouths open
v14 – I am poured out like water – how does water go out? Fast or slow?
This is my blood which is poured out for you
My bones are out of joint
My heart has turned to wax … melted away
As the body gives way … the will, the spirit, follows
V15 – my strength is as dry as a pottery lid
My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth
John 19:28 (NIV84)Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.”
Oh wow the picture of a crucifixion is so vivid.
V16 dogs … evil doers encircle me … they have pierced my hands and feet
The word “pierced” is to be punctured as by the teeth of a lion
Luke 23:33 (NIV84)When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left.
John 19:37 (NIV84)and, as another scripture says, “They will look on the one they have pierced.”
(Zech 12:10) – (John 20:25)
V17 I can count all my bones – they stare and gloat
The effects of 39 lashes, ripping away his flesh, then his arms stretched until his shoulders are out of socket and the weight of gravity pulling him down, pushing up to breathe, then down again, taking its toll on the crucified one.
V18 they divide my garments and for my clothing cast lots
John 19:23–24 (NIV84)When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. 24 “Let’s not tear it,” they said to one another. “Let’s decide by lot who will get it.” This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled which said, “They divided my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.” So this is what the soldiers did.
(Matt. 27:35; Mk 15:24)
V19 But YOU O Lord … do not be far off
My help – eyaluwth = my strength
Come quickly
V20 – Deliver (draw out) my soul from the sword (judgment)
V21 – Save me
V22 – I will tell of your name to my brothers
Wait, what? … Death making him crazy? No … because this most terrible of agonies is the hand of a gracious, merciful God. This tragedy has a triumph. There is a story to tell … that
John 3:16 (NIV84)“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
This is Love … not that we loved God but that God
1 John 4:10 (NIV84)This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
… I will praise you
V23 You who fear … praise him …
V24 he has not despised … the afflicted … he has NOT hidden his face … he has listened (heard) the cries
This IS the answer to the prayers … and he CARES
V25 my vows will I perform
Jesus came FOR this and he finishes what he starts
V26 the afflicted shall eat and be satisfied
John 6 he tells us we must eat his flesh and drink his blood
Jesus told his disciples this is my body which is broken for you, eat it all
v11 Those who seek him shall praise the Lord … May your hearts live forever …
It often seems so strange that we celebrate so great a tragedy, so great a loss … but in it we are forgive and restored
V27 all the ends of the earth … all the families of the nations … YES … even you, even me
V28 kingship belongs to the Lord
V29 bow all who go down to the dust … are you a dying one? Bow down
V30 it shall be told of the Lord to coming generations
V31 proclaim his righteousness, to a people yet unborn that he has done it
Oh yes … still telling, still calling
And then on the cross Jesus said “father into your hands I commend my spirit …
Why with such confidence does he lay down his life?
Psalm 49:15 (NIV84)But God will redeem my life from the grave; he will surely take me to himself. Selah
John 10:18 (NIV84)No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”
Psalm 16 – The Resurrection Promise
V1 – keep me safe … in you I take refuge
He told the thief “today you will be with me in Paradise”
That was confidence both for himself AND for the Thief who placed his faith in him.
V5 Lord you assigned me my portion and my cup
What we have, good and bad, is in God’s hands and he gives it to us … Lord fill me up because you are GOOD always
Psalm 16:9–10 (NIV84)Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, 10 because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay.
Peter preached his passage at Pentecost:
Acts 2:29–35 (NIV84)“Brothers, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. 30 But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. 31 Seeing what was ahead, he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay. 32 God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact. 33 Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. 34 For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, “ ‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand 35 until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.” ’
David could prophesy this hope of the future because he understood that ONE was coming who would conquer death and the grave
David’s body IS in the grave, long since gone to dust … I have seen where they say his bones are … But he knows they will not stay there … because the Christ would have victory
1 Peter 1:11 (NIV84)trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow.
David sings “my body will rest secure” and so it does. His spirit delights in God’s presence and I’m sure he has written some amazing songs in this last few thousand years while his body rests. Oh can you imagine the songs that David, Martin Luther, John and Charles Wesley, Isaac Watts, Fanny Crosby, Rich Mullins, George Beverly Shea have written since they went to glory? Oh I wonder how many songs Andrae Crouch has written since passing in January, while the body rests. But David writes this with confidence in the firstfruits, The Christ.
V10 because you will not abandon me to the grave
– azab = leave behind, let go, abandon
To Sheol = wasteland, underworld
Or let your Holy One see decay / corruption
V11 you make known the path of life
Oh death isn’t the doorway to annihilation or nothingness
No, death is the path to LIFE for the believer …
V11 in your presence is fullness of joy
Oh listen, I don’t care what the door looks like.
Whether I die in my sleep an old man, am attacked by a cancer, killed by a terrorist’s blast or blade, or translated at the last trumpet, there is JOY on the other side of the door in his presence …
Fullness – soba’= fullness, abundance
Pleasures forever …
He is the firstfruit of our resurrection to come …
On Sunday before Passover, they would have selected the Passover Lamb. That’s the day Jesus rode into Jerusalem. At 3:00pm on Friday, they would have blown the horn and killed the Lamb … while Jesus said “It is Finished”. But do you know that on the Sunday after Passover, the Sunday Jesus Rose from the Grave, the Priests would have been at the Temple that morning waving the Firstfruits of the spring harvest before the Lord in the Temple? Remember the veil was torn on Friday? I have this image of them standing in the Temple with the veil stitched together that God had torn top to bottom. While they waved the firstfruits, Jesus rose from the grave AS the firstfruit of the Resurrection.
Because he lives, I can face tomorrow
Because he lives, All fear is gone
Because I know who holds the future
And life is worth the living, just Because he lives
Oh I wish I had time to take you through Psalm 23 as the One who says in John 10, I am the Good Shepherd” “No one can take them from his hand”. He gives me confidence that
I shall not be in want, I will lie in green pastures, drink from quiet waters as he restores my soul. And as he guides me in righteousness, even in the darkest valleys the good shepherd leads, evil doesn’t scare me. I look at the tablelands he has lovingly prepared. Oh that’s where he is right now, preparing a place for ME. And so no matter where he leads, goodness and love will follow me … Oh it might not always seem like they are in front of me but they follow me. And I will dwell in his house FOREVER … Pleasures forever
Oh I must stop … no time to see the Lover of our Soul pursuing us in the Song of Solomon but he is there … go read it … look for him. You will see the friends, the beloved (bride) and the Lover (the Groom)
You can see the picture of the Groom,
Song of Solomon 2:3 – He is like an apple tree among the trees of the forest … Can you see it … Pine Tree, Pine Tree, Pine Tree, Pine Tree …What is the fruit of the pine tree? Are you hungry? But wait … APPLE TREE … Oh yes, I will be filled … that is the Groom …
Song of Solomon 2:16 – He is mine and I am his
Look at how much he loves us … He is the Lover, We are the Beloved …
He loves you … Oh he loves you
We will stop there … Next week … The Major Prophets, particularly Isaiah …
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For further reading
Psalm 34:7 – The Angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him
Psalm 27:8
Psalm 118:22-23, 26
Psalm 69:9
Psalm 89:4
Pastor Goforth 