Bible 101: Lesson 17

Psalms

The Book of Psalms is really a collection of poetry, prayer and hymns. It is probably the best loved book in the Old Testament because it deals with such a wide range of human emotion. There is something there for everyone, and it has provided much comfort for people in times of trouble.

The psalms were written by different authors over a long period of time. Of the 150 psalms, 73 are attributed to King David, 49 are anonymous, twelve were written by Asaph, twelve by the sons of Korah, two by Solomon, one by Moses, and one by Ethan. The collection is arranged in five books: Book I (Ps. 1-41); Book II (Ps. 42-72); Book III (Ps. 73-89); Book IV (Ps. 90-106); Book V (Ps. 107-150).

There are many Messianic prophecies found in the psalms and some of them were among the last words uttered by Jesus as he was dying on the cross. Psalms that have been especially popular over the years are Psalm 22 and 23, Psalm 51, Psalm 91, Psalm 103, and Psalm 119. Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible. The whole Psalm is an acrostic in the original Hebrew: each section has eight lines which all begin with the same letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

Messianic Prophecies in the Psalms

Raise gentile opposition
OT References: Ps. 2:1-2
NT Fulfillment: Acts 4:25-26

Declared to be the son of God
OT References: Ps. 2:7; Prov. 30:4
NT Fulfillment: Matt. 3:17; Mark 1:11; Luke 1:35; Acts 13:33; Heb. 1:5; 5:5; 2 Pet 1:17

Break gentiles with rod
OT References: Ps. 2:9
NT Fulfillment: Rev. 2:26-27; 12:5; 19:15-16

His resurrection
OT References: Ps. 16:8-10; 49:15; 86:13
NT Fulfillment: Acts 2:27; 13:35

Felt forsaken by God
OT References: Ps. 22:1
NT Fulfillment: Matt. 27:46; Mark 15:34

Mocked and insulted
OT References: Ps. 22:7-8, 17
NT Fulfillment: Matt. 27:39-43; Mark 15:29-32; Luke 23:35-39

Thirsty
OT References: Ps. 22:15; 69:21
NT Fulfillment: John 19:28

Hands and feet pierced
OT References: Ps. 22:16
NT Fulfillment: Matt. 27:31, 35-36

Soldiers cast lots for garment
OT References: Ps. 22:18
NT Fulfillment: Matt. 27:35; Mark 15:20, 24; Luke 23:34; John 19:23-24

Accused by false witnesses
OT References: Ps. 27:12; 35:11
NT Fulfillment: Matt. 26:60-61; Mark 14:55-61

He commits His spirit
OT References: Ps. 31:5
NT Fulfillment: Luke 23:46

No broken bone
OT References: Ps. 34:20
NT Fulfillment: John 19:36

Hated without reason
OT References: Ps. 35:19; 69:4
NT Fulfillment: John 15:24-25

Friends stand far off
OT References: Ps. 38:11; 88:18
NT Fulfillment: Matt. 27:55; Mark 15:40; Luke 23:49

“I come to do Thy will”
OT References: Ps. 40:6-8
NT Fulfillment: Heb. 10:5-9

Betrayed by a friend
OT References: Ps. 41:9; 55:12-14
NT Fulfillment: Matt. 26:14-16,23,47-50; Mark 14:17-21; Luke 22:19-23; John 13:18-19

King known for righteousness
OT References: Ps. 45:1-7
NT Fulfillment: Heb. 1:8-9

Blessed by nations
OT References: Ps. 72:17
NT Fulfillment: Luke 1:48

His ascension
OT References: Ps. 68:18
NT Fulfillment: Eph. 4:8

Stung by reproaches
OT References: Ps. 69:9
NT Fulfillment: Rom. 15:3

Zeal for God’s house
OT References: Ps. 69:9
NT Fulfillment: John 2:17

Given gall and vinegar
OT References: Ps. 69:21
NT Fulfillment: Matt. 27:34,48; Mark 15:23,36; Luke 23:36; John 19:29

Care for needy
OT References: Ps. 72:13
NT Fulfillment: Luke 10:33

He speaks in parables
OT References: Ps. 78:2
NT Fulfillment: Matt. 13:34-35

Make him my firstborn
OT References: Ps. 89:27
NT Fulfillment: Rom. 8:29; Col. 1:15,18; Heb. 1:6

“Thou remainest”
OT References: Ps. 102:24-27
NT Fulfillment: Heb. 1:10-12

Prays for his enemies
OT References: Ps. 109:4
NT Fulfillment: Matt. 5:44; Luke 23:34

Another to succeed Judas
OT References: Ps. 109:7-8
NT Fulfillment: Acts 1:16-20

David’s Lord at God’s right hand
OT References: Ps. 110:1
NT Fulfillment: Matt. 22:41-45; 26:64; Mark 12:35-37; 16:19; Acts 7:56; Eph. 1:20; Col. 3:1; Heb. 1:3,13; 8:1; 10:12; 12:2

A priest like Melchizedek
OT References: Ps. 110:4
NT Fulfillment: Heb. 5:6,10; 6:20; 7:1-22; 8:1; 10:11-13

The chief cornerstone
OT References: Ps. 118:22-23
NT Fulfillment: Matt. 21:42; Mark 12:10-11; Luke 20:17; Acts 4:11; Eph. 2:20; 1 Pet 2:4-7

The King comes in the name of the Lord
OT References: Ps. 118:26
NT Fulfillment: Matt. 21:9; 23:39; Mark 11:9; Luke 13:35; 19:38; John 12:13