My major deep dive Bible study project at this time is “Christ in the Old Testament”. I have already posted my thoughts on “Jesus on the Emmaus Road”, where this subject is opened up, “Christ in the Law” and “Christ in the Prophets”, where many examples can be found, and now I turn our attention to “Christ in the Psalms”. I share here notes from the slide presentation that I am giving at my own church.

About the Psalms

The Book of Psalms is a collection of 150 sacred songs, prayers, and poems in the Hebrew Bible, expressing a wide range of emotions, thoughts, and experiences. It covers themes like praise, lament, thanksgiving, wisdom, and prophecy. Many of the Psalms were written to be sung, although we no longer have the music.

Christians down the ages have found the Psalms to be important and inspirational for several reasons:

• Prayer and worship: Psalms provide language for prayer, helping believers express their feelings and thoughts to God.
• Emotional resonance: The Psalms capture human emotions, making them relatable and comforting.
• Theological depth: Many Psalms point to Christ, revealing God’s character and plan.
• Spiritual guidance: Psalms offer wisdom and instruction for living a godly life.
• Community: Psalms have been a source of unity and inspiration for Jewish and Christian communities throughout history.

Authorship of the Psalms

• Approximately 73 of the 150 Psalms are attributed to David, although scholars debate exact numbers, including those that are considered to be Messianic, i.e. to do with the expected Christ.
• A significant portion of the Psalms are considered Messianic, with around 40-50 Psalms typically classified as such, though this count varies depending on interpretation.
• David wrote many of the Messianic Psalms, including Psalms 2, 22, 69, and 110. Around 12-15 of the more widely recognized Messianic Psalms can be attributed to David.

“Tachbulah” תַּחְבּוּלָה or “Double Fulfilment“

There is a Hebrew concept “Tachbulah” ַּחְבּוּלָה or “Double Fulfilment”, where texts from the Old Testament can have multiple layers of meaning, applying to different events, people, or time periods. The following are instances of the outworking of this concept that can be found in the Messianic Psalms?

• Psalm 2: Applies to David’s kingship (historical context) and Jesus’ ultimate reign (Messianic fulfilment)
• Psalm 22: Describes David’s suffering (vs 1-21) and Jesus’ crucifixion (vs 1-18, referenced in NT)
• Psalm 45: Wedding song for the Davidic king (historical context) and Jesus’ union with the church (Messianic fulfilment, Hebrews 1:8-9)
• Psalm 110: David’s lordship (vs 1) and Jesus’ priestly role (vs 4, referenced in Hebrews 5:6, 6:20)

Examples of Psalms with Double Fulfilment

These Psalms are often interpreted as foreshadowing Jesus Christ and/or having a dual application to both that of the original author and Jesus.

• Psalm 2: The anointed king (Jesus Christ)
• Psalm 8: Humanity’s dominion and Jesus’ authority
• Psalm 16: Resurrection and eternal life
• Psalm 22: Crucifixion and suffering
• Psalm 40: Obedience and sacrifice
• Psalm 45: The king’s wedding (Jesus and the church)
• Psalm 68: The triumphant king
• Psalm 69: Suffering and persecution
• Psalm 72: The king’s universal reign
• Psalm 89: The Davidic covenant and Jesus’ fulfilment
• Psalm 110: The priest-king (Jesus Christ)
• Psalm 118: The rejected stone (Jesus’ rejection and exaltation)

Going back to Christ on the Emmaus Road (Luke 24)

These are some of the pertinent verses:

21 But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done.

…

26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?

27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

…

44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.

45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,

46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:

The New is in the Old concealed

… the Old is in the New fulfilled (40+ times NT refers), e.g. these Messianic Psalm fulfilments:

– Psalm 2:7 – Acts 13:33, Hebrews 1:5, 5:5 (Jesus’ divine sonship)

– Psalm 16:8-11 – Acts 2:25-28 (resurrection)

– Psalm 22:1 – Matthew 27:46, Mark 15:34 (crucifixion)

– Psalm 22:18 – John 19:24 (casting lots for garments)

– Psalm 41:9 – John 13:18 (betrayal by a friend)

– Psalm 45:6-7 – Hebrews 1:8-9 (Jesus’ divinity and kingship)

– Psalm 69:4 – John 15:25 (hatred without cause)

– Psalm 69:9 – John 2:17, Romans 15:3 (zeal for God’s house)

– Psalm 69:21 – Matthew 27:34, Mark 15:23 (gall and vinegar)

– Psalm 110:1 – Matthew 22:44, Mark 12:36, Acts 2:34-35, Hebrews 1:13 (seated at God’s right hand)

– Psalm 110:4 – Hebrews 5:6, 6:20, 7:17 (priest after Melchizedek’s order)

– Psalm 118:22-23 – Matthew 21:42, Mark 12:10-11, Luke 20:17, Acts 4:11 (rejected stone)

Got Questions helpfully gives several other examples (see here).

Question to consider: how many NT fulfilments would we have known about if the NT writers hadn’t made the connection?

The Two Comings of Christ

When Jesus lived on earth in the first century CE (at His First Coming), Jewish messianic expectation concerned what today’s Christians refer to as the Second Coming. For many who were around, who took Jesus seriously, their focus was on Second Coming events, when the expected Messiah would establish his millennial kingdom. The Psalms, along with what is found in the Law and the Prophets, considered and reflected on both comings, but tended not to make distinctions between the two.

• Luke 1:68-75: Zechariah, John the Baptist’s father, prophesied: “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, because he has visited and redeemed his people”.
• Luke 2:25: Simeon was a man “just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel”.
• Luke 2:38: Anna, the prophetess, spoke about Jesus: “looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.”
• John 4:25: The Samaritan woman said “I know that Messiah is coming…he will show us all things.”
• Luke 19:11: The first “Palm Sunday” crowd expected Jesus to “restore the kingdom to Israel.”
• Luke 24:21: The two disciples on the road to Emmaus said: “But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel.”
• Acts 1:6: The disciples asked Jesus: “Is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?”

Redeem Israel

Around the time of Jesus, the Jewish understanding of the term “Redeem Israel” was deeply rooted in their expectation of a Messiah who would liberate Israel from Roman rule and restore the kingdom to its former glory. This understanding was based on various Old Testament prophecies, such as Isaiah 40:1-11, Jeremiah 30:1-3, and Ezekiel 37:1-14, which spoke of a future restoration of Israel.

• The Jewish people believed that the Messiah would:
• Overthrow Roman rule and establish an independent Israel
• Rebuild the Temple and restore Temple worship
• Gather the dispersed Jewish people from exile
• Establish a new era of peace, justice, and prosperity

Their justification for this understanding came from various biblical passages, including:

• Isaiah 11:1-10: A prophecy of a Davidic king who would rule with justice and restore Israel.
• Jeremiah 23:5-6: A prophecy of a righteous Branch who would reign and save Israel.
• Ezekiel 34:20-31: A prophecy of a Davidic shepherd who would gather and protect Israel.

Jewish expectation was largely focused on a political and national redemption, whereas Jesus’ message emphasized a spiritual redemption, offering salvation from sin and a new covenant relationship with God (Mark 1:15, Luke 4:18-21, John 3:16). Regarding future Israel (the people) and the future messianic reign involving Israel (the land and the people), I don’t doubt, and this is the approach taken in this series.

Psalm 22

I would like to end this episode by considering one of the messianic psalms. We are spoiled for choice, and I hope to cover a number in future episodes of this “Christ in the Psalms” series. But for now our focus is on Psalm 22. Much of what had been prophesied in this psalm, the two bemused disciples on the Emmaus Road had seen played out in the three days preceding. I suggest before you proceed that you might want to read and ponder on the words of this Psalm. I find BibleGateway helpful (check here for its KJV rendering of Psalm 22, (but feel free to switch and read in other versions)).  

Psalm 22 Synopsis

Psalm 22 is a messianic psalm that describes the suffering and crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It’s a powerful expression of the Messiah’s anguish, abandonment, and ultimate triumph. It begins as a lament but ends on a note of victory for through his suffering he is vindicated and the purposes of God are seen to play out.

• Distress and abandonment (vs 1-2): The psalmist cries out to God, feeling forsaken and distant.
• Suffering and mockery (vs 6-8, 12-15): The Messiah is mocked, scorned, and surrounded by enemies.
• Crucifixion details (vs 16-18): Graphic descriptions of hands and feet being pierced, clothes being divided, and lots being cast.
• Trust and praise (vs 3-5, 9-10, 19-21): Despite suffering, the Messiah trusts God to deliver him and will praise Him.
• Ultimate triumph (vs 22-31): The Messiah will be vindicated; all nations will worship God.

The New Testament references Psalm 22 in Matthew 27:35, 39, 43, 46, Mark 15:24, 29, 34, Luke 23:34, and John 19:23-24, applying it to Jesus’ crucifixion.

Distress and abandonment (vs 1-2)

The psalmist cries out to God, feeling forsaken and distant.

• The Messiah will feel forsaken by God at His crucifixion (Psalm 22:1b; Mark 15:34).
• The Messiah will pray without ceasing before His death (Psalm 22:2; Matthew 26:38–39, Hebrews 5:7).

Suffering and mockery (vs 6-8, 12-15)

The Messiah is mocked, scorned, and surrounded by enemies.

• The Messiah will be despised and rejected by His own (Psalm 22:6; Luke 23:21–23).
• The Messiah will be mocked (Psalm 22:7; Matthew 27:39).
• Unbelievers will say to the Messiah, “He trusted in God, let Him now deliver Him” (Psalm 22:8; Matthew 27:41–43).
• The Messiah will be encompassed by wicked beings (Psalm 22:12–13; Colossians 2:15).
• From the Messiah’s body will flow blood and water (Psalm 22:14a; John 19:34).
• The Messiah will be crucified (Psalm 22:14b; Matthew 27:35).
• The Messiah will thirst while dying (Psalm 22:15; John 19:28).

Crucifixion details (vs 16-18)

Graphic descriptions of hands and feet being pierced, clothes being divided, and lots being cast.

• The Messiah will be observed by Gentiles at His crucifixion (Psalm 22:16a; Luke 23:36).
• The Messiah will be observed by Jews at His crucifixion (Psalm 22:16b; Matthew 27:41–43).
• The Messiah’s hands and feet will be pierced (Psalm 22:16c; Matthew 27:38; John 20:25).
• When the Messiah was crucified, his body was stretched out on the cross, causing his bones to become disjointed and visible (Psalm 22:17; Matthew 27:35, John 19:24).
• The Messiah’s garments will be parted among the soldiers through the casting of lots (Psalm 22:18; John 19:23–24).

Trust and praise (vs 3-5, 9-10, 19-21)

Despite and through his suffering, the Messiah trusts God and will praise Him, who he knows can be trusted to deliver his people.

• The Messiah will know His Father from childhood (Psalm 22:9; Luke 2:40).

Ultimate triumph (vs 22-31)

The Messiah will be vindicated; all nations will worship God. Verse 22 is pivotal in this Psalm and the psalmist turns from lament to triumph. That triumph began when Jesus rose from the dead and this will be fully seen at His Second Coming.

• The Messiah would declare God’s name to the people (Psalm 22:22; Matthew 28:10, Hebrews 2:10-12).

Psalm 22 Quotes

• Martin Luther: “This is a kind of gem among the Psalms, and is peculiarly excellent and remarkable. It contains those deep, sublime, and heavy sufferings of Christ, when agonizing in the midst of the terrors and pangs of divine wrath and death which surpass all human thought and comprehension.”
• Charles Spurgeon: “It matters not what I endure. Storms may howl upon me; men despise; devils tempt; circumstances overpower; and God himself forsake me, still God is holy; there is no unrighteousness in him.”
• John Calvin: “Psalm 22 is a prophecy of the passion and death of Christ, and of the benefits which we receive through him.”
• John Wesley: “This psalm is a remarkable prophecy of Christ’s sufferings, and of the blessed effects thereof.”
• Matthew Henry: “Psalm 22 is a prophecy of Christ’s sufferings, and of the conversion of the Gentiles to God through him.”

A Psalm 22 Hymn

1 Behold! behold the Lamb of God,

On the cross! On the cross!

For us He shed His precious blood,

On the cross! On the cross!

O hear His all-important cry,

 “Eli, lama sabachthani?”

Draw near and see the Savior die,

 On the cross! On the cross!

2 Behold His arms extended wide,

On the cross! On the cross!

Behold His bleeding hands and side,

On the cross! On the cross!

The sun withholds its rays of light,

The heav’ns are clothed in shades of night,

While Jesus wins the glorious fight,

On the cross! On the cross!

3 By faith we see Him lifted up,

On the cross! On the cross!

He drinks for us the bitter cup,

On the cross! On the cross!

The rocks do rend, the mountains quake,

While Jesus all our sins doth take,

While Jesus suffers for our sake,

On the cross! On the cross!

4 And now the mighty deed is done,

On the cross! On the cross!

The battle fought, the vict’ry won,

On the cross! On the cross!

To heav’n He turns triumphant eyes;

” ’Tis finished” now, the Conqu’ror cries,

Then bows His sacred head and dies,

On the cross! On the cross!

5 But now He’s ris’n, ascended, crowned,

On the throne! On the throne!

Heav’n’s highest place for Him is found,

On the throne! On the throne!

Our hearts we low in worship bow,

And join, as one, to hail Him now:

“Worthy, O Lamb of God, art Thou!”

On the throne! On the throne!