October 2023 Handout
Olivet Gospel Church - Bible Study with Rev. Dr. Russell McLeod, Senior Pastor
MESSIANIC PSALMS
DEFINITION
Messianic Psalms are those that are believed to have prophetic content pointing toward the Messiah, Jesus Christ. They provide a clear picture of the person, mission, and character of the Messiah. Here are ten Psalms that are typically considered to be "Messianic":
- Psalm 2 – This psalm speaks of the Lord's Anointed who will rule the nations. It's often quoted in the New Testament in reference to Jesus.
- Psalm 16 – David speaks of the resurrection in this psalm, particularly in verse 10: "For you will not leave my soul in Sheol, nor will you allow your Holy One to see corruption." This is interpreted in the New Testament as a prediction of Jesus' resurrection.
- Psalm 22 – A vivid portrayal of suffering and deliverance that many see as a prophecy of the crucifixion of Christ. The opening words, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" were spoken by Jesus on the cross.
- Psalm 23 – While it is often read for comfort, when seen in a Messianic light, it describes the Shepherd role of Jesus.
- Psalm 45 – This is a royal wedding psalm that speaks of the king's beauty, majesty, and eternal throne. It points to Jesus, the King of Kings.
- Psalm 72 – This is a royal psalm that prays for the king's reign and describes the universal peace and prosperity that will characterize it, pointing to the millennial reign of Christ.
- Psalm 89 – Talks about David's seed and the promise that his line will endure forever. This points to the everlasting reign of Jesus.
- Psalm 110 – This psalm is the most quoted Old Testament passage in the New Testament. It describes the Messiah as both King and Priest. "The LORD said to my Lord, 'Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.'"
- Psalm 118 – This psalm is applied to Jesus during His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Verse 22, "The stone which the builders refused is become the headstone of the corner," is applied to Jesus in the New Testament.
- Psalm 132 – This psalm speaks of the Messiah as coming from David's line and of His eternal reign.
Psalm 22 is often regarded by Christians as a prophetic psalm that paints a vivid picture of the suffering of the Messiah, ultimately pointing to Jesus Christ. Here are six ways in which Psalm 22 is seen to be fulfilled in the life and passion of Jesus:
1. Forsaken by God (Verse 1):
•Psalm 22: "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?"
•New Testament Fulfillment: When Jesus was hanging on the cross, He cried out the opening words of this psalm (Matthew 27:46). This shows Jesus' deep sense of abandonment and distress as He bore the sins of the world.
2. Mocked and Insulted (Verses 6-8):•Psalm 22: "But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised by the people. All those who see Me ridicule Me; they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, 'He trusted in the LORD, let Him rescue Him; let Him deliver Him, since He delights in Him!'"
•New Testament Fulfillment: While Jesus was on the cross, He was mocked and insulted in a manner very similar to the description in this psalm (Matthew 27:39-44).
3. Pierced Hands and Feet (Verse 16):•Psalm 22: "For dogs have surrounded Me; the congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me. They pierced My hands and My feet."
•New Testament Fulfillment: Jesus' hands and feet were literally pierced when He was crucified (John 20:25).
4. Casting Lots for His Clothes (Verse 18):•Psalm 22: "They divide My garments among them, and for My clothing they cast lots."
•New Testament Fulfillment: Roman soldiers cast lots to decide who would take Jesus' clothing after they had crucified Him, as described in Matthew 27:35.
5. Surrounded by Evil Men (Verse 16):•Psalm 22: "For dogs have surrounded Me; the congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me."
•New Testament Fulfillment: Jesus was surrounded by evildoers during His crucifixion, including two criminals who were crucified alongside Him and the Roman soldiers who oversaw the execution (Luke 23:32-33).
6. Not a Bone Broken (Verse 17):•Psalm 22: "I can count all My bones. They look and stare at Me."
•New Testament Fulfillment: It was customary to break the legs of those being crucified to hasten death. However, when they came to Jesus, they found He was already dead and did not break His legs, fulfilling the scripture (John 19:32-36).
7. Thirst and Dryness (Verse 15):•Psalm 22: "My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and My tongue clings to My jaws; You have brought Me to the dust of death."
•New Testament Fulfillment: On the cross, just before He died, Jesus expressed His thirst, which can be seen as fulfilling this verse. "After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, 'I thirst!'" (John 19:28).
8. Deliverance from the Sword and the Power of the Dog (Verse 20):•Psalm 22: "Deliver Me from the sword, My precious life from the power of the dog."
•New Testament Fulfillment: Though Jesus was crucified, His resurrection can be seen as the ultimate deliverance from death's power. The "power of the dog" is often interpreted symbolically as evil forces or enemies. The resurrection of Jesus delivered Him from these forces, showcasing His victory over death and sin.
9. Proclamation to Future Generations (Verses 30-31):•Psalm 22: "A posterity shall serve Him. It will be recounted of the Lord to the next generation, they will come and declare His righteousness to a people who will be born, that He has done this."
•New Testament Fulfillment: After Jesus' resurrection, His disciples and the early Christian community began proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ to people everywhere. This proclamation continues to this day and is seen as fulfilling the psalmist's declaration that future generations will be told about the Lord's righteousness and deeds.
10. Trust in God from Youth (Verse 9-10):• Psalm 22: "But You are He who took Me out of the womb; You made Me trust while on My mother's breasts. I was cast upon You from birth. From My mother's womb, You have been My God."
•New Testament Fulfillment: Jesus' unique relationship with God is evident throughout His life. Even from His miraculous virgin birth, it's evident that His life was guided by God's hand. The Gospel accounts consistently show Jesus' trust in and unity with the Father, fulfilling the deep trust depicted in these verses.
The depth and breadth of parallels between Psalm 22 and the events of Jesus' passion, as described in the New Testament, have been a point of fascination and study for theologians and believers alike, underscoring the interconnectedness of the Old and New Testaments in the Christian faith.