Being divinely inspired the Psalms contain many refences to the future coming, ministry, death, resurrection, second Coming, and there are also “hidden gems” where the Psalmist seems to be writing about himself but goes on to describe experiences pointing to Messiah. Recall that Yeshua told the Pharisees that all scripture testified of Him (John 5: 39-40).
Messiah is variously referred to in the Psalms as: “the Anointed One” (Psalm 132: 10), “the Mighty One” (Psalm 45: 3); “the King” (Psalm 45: 11); “Majesty” (Psalm 45: 4); “Lord” (Psalm 110: 1); “descendent of David” (Psalm 132: 7); and by Jehovah called “My Son” (Psalm 2: 7). These designations can only refer to a divine being.
Psalm 40: 8 – Messiah will delight in doing God’s will.
Psalm 69: 9 – Messiah will be jealous for God’s house.
Psalm 41: 9 – Messiah will be betrayed by a friend.
Psalm 35: 19 – Messiah will be hated without a cause.
Psalm 35: 11 – Messiah will be accused by false witnesses.
Detailed study of Psalm 69: 7-11:
“Because for Your sake I have borne reproach; shame has covered My face”. (Verse 7)
Yeshua would face criticism because of His obedience to His Father’s will. He spoke out only what His Father gave Him; He never tried to appease men. It was His delight in pleasing God that allowed men to spit on Him and insult Him.
“I have become a stranger to My brothers and an alien to My mother’s children”. (Verse 8)
It is interesting that He refers to his mother’s children – not His fathers! Part of the cost of Yeshua’s obedience to His Father would be the temporary alienation from His half-brothers. Fortunately this changed completely after the Resurrection.
“Because zeal for Your house has eaten me up. And the reproaches of those who reproach You have fallen on me”. (Verse 9)
Yeshua would indeed be consumed with zeal for His Father’s house. Whenever He heard men speak insultingly about God, no doubt He took it as a personal insult. And of course He twice drove out money-changers and other rogues from the Temple. This, of course, increased opposition to Him.
“When I wept and chastened My soul with fasting that became My reproach. I also made sackcloth my garment. I became a byword to them”. (Verses 10 and 11)
Nothing Yeshua would ever do as the perfect man on earth would please His critics. If He humbled Himself with fasting, they would find fault with Him saying that He was trying to appear pious. Even His weeping would be seen as weakness rather than a cause to have sympathy towards Him.
Detailed examination of Psalm 40: 7-10:
“Then I said “Behold I come; in the scroll of the book it is written of Me. I delight to do Your will. O God. And Your law is within My heart”.” (Verses 7 and 8)
When Yeshua would become man, it would not be with meek resignation but with wholehearted joy. Doing the Father’s will and living by HIs law was His joy. “The scroll of the book” here indicates that all Old Testament scripture was foretelling the coming of Messiah. He would come into the world ready and eager: He had in His very heart the desire to do the will of the Father.
“I have proclaimed the good news of righteousness in the great assembly. Indeed I do not restrain My lips. O, Lord You Yourself know.” (Verses 9 and 10)
This is a wonderful and accurate description of what Yeshua’s earthly ministry would be. He would proclaim the good news of deliverance in the Temple or wherever the people would gather to Him. He would not hold back anything which the Father would give Him to proclaim. He certainly would not conceal the great truths of God’s saving help, enduring faithfulness and great love.
Detailed examination of Psalm 16: 7-11:
“I will bless the Lord who has given Me counsel. My heart also instructs Me in the night seasons.” (Verse 7)
Yeshua here describes how throughout His earthly ministry God would faithfully guide and advise Him. Even in his sleep, His heart (His very being) would be praying and meditating on God’s word.
“I have set the Lord always before Me. Because He is at My right hand. I will not be moved.” (Verse 8)
God is the one for whom Yeshua would live; no other consideration would enter His head. Yeshua would never do anything out of self-will. God would be His safety and security and His authority, thus He would be able to fulfil His ministry.
“Therefore My heart is glad and My glory rejoices. My flesh will also rest in hope.” (Verse 9)
Yeshua would have God’s constant care and protection during His earthly ministry. He would therefore be able to face the future with confidence and joy. “My glory” refers to His very being. He will have no mortal fear.
“For You will not leave My soul in Sheol. Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption”. (Verse 10)
Yeshua will know that God will not leave His soul in the place of the dead or allow his body to decompose. In other words, He will be raised from the dead.
“You will show Me the path of life. In Your presence is fullness of joy. At Your right hand are pleasures evermore”. (Verse 11)
Here Yeshua expresses His full confidence that God will guide Him correctly: show Him the way back from death. The path would lead Him back to Heaven to experience the fulness of joy and pleasures.
Psalm 22: 7 – 8 – Messiah will be derided by enemies.
Psalm 22: 16 – His hands and feet will be pierced.
Psalm 22: 18 – His tormentors will cast lots for His clothes.
Psalm 34: 20 – His bones will not be broken.
Psalm 69: 21 – He will be given gall and vinegar.
Psalm 109: 4 – He will pray for His enemies.
Detailed examination of Psalm 22: 1-5:
“My God, My God why have you forsaken Me? Why are You so far from helping Me? And from the words of my groaning? (Verse 1)
The scene here is of course Golgotha where the Good Shepherd is giving up His life for His sheep. For three hours the earth would be covered in thick darkness and Yeshua would indeed be forsaken by God. Until that point He would only have been the object of His Father’s delight. But His unfailing determination to do His Father’s will has resulted in the terrible desolation of being cut off from God. A righteous God must deal with sin. Yeshua took the sins of all of us onto Himself. He would experience being forsaken temporarily from God so that we might never be forsaken.
“O My God. I cry in the daytime, but You do not hear. And in the night seasons and am not silent”. (Verse 2)
These are truly anguished pleas.
“But You are holy. Enthroned in the praises of Israel”. (Verse 3)
Even in His agony, Yeshua can provide for Himself the answer for His own forsaken state. God’s love provided what holiness demanded. He sent His Son as a substitutional sacrifice for Israel at His chosen time.
“Our fathers trusted in You. They trusted and You delivered them. They cried to You and were delivered. They trusted in You and were not ashamed”. (Verses 4 and 5)
Still speaking to His Father, Yeshua reminds Him that the people of old were never forsaken. Their cries were heard. Not once were they disappointed when they cried out for God’s help. In spite of their sin and waywardness god never completely forsook them. This gives Yeshua confidence.
Detailed examination of Psalm 40: 11-17:
“Do not withhold Your tender mercies from Me. O, Lord let Your lovingkindness and Your truth continually preserve Me”. (Verse 11)
Again on the cross Yeshua is issuing a most compelling and poignant distress call. In the previous verse He had told the people of God’s mercy. He asks to receive that mercy so that His testimony to the people would not be negated.
“For innumerable enemies have surrounded me. My iniquities have overtaken me, so that I am not able to look up. They are more than the hairs on My head; Therefore My heart fails Me.” (Verse 12)
Now of course the mistreatment and the horrible torture of Golgotha are crushing Him down. When he talks of “My iniquities” of course He is talking of our Iniquities which He has on Himself. He feels His body failing in the face of all this suffering and heartache.
“Be pleased, O Lord to deliver me: O Lord make haste to help Me”. (Verse 13)
In His agony and despair He calls to deliver Him without delay.
“Let them be ashamed and brought to mutual confusion who seek to destroy My life. Let them be driven backward and brought to dishonour who wish me evil. Let them be confounded because of their shame who say to Me “aha aha”.” (Verses 14 and 15)
As for His enemies, those who mocked Him and hated Him without cause, He asked for their punishment to fit their crime. They should experience shame and confusion. For their gloating over His misfortune, He would like to see them shocked (“driven backward”) by the depth of their humiliation when they realize what they have done.
“Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You: Let such as love Your salvation say continually “The Lord be magnified”.” (Verse 16)
Still speaking to His Father, Yeshua seeks nothing but joy for those who seek to worship and obey God; and that that joy be expressed in praise to God.
“But I am poor and needy. Yet the Lord thinks upon Me. You are My help and My deliverer. Do not delay My God”. (Verse 17)
As for Himself Yeshua knows He is fading and His need is desperate and urgent. Yet He knows that God is His help and deliverer.
Detailed examination of Psalm 69:1-4:
“Save Me O God; For the waters have come up to my neck”. (Verse 1)
Again we get insight into Yeshua’s horrible suffering on the cross. His deep despair results in cries for rescue. The analogy is with being stuck in rising waters. They have now reached up to His neck and disaster looms.
“I sink in deep mire where there is no standing. I have come in to deep waters where the floods overflow Me.” (Verse 2)
Not only is the water nearly overwhelming Him but He is sinking in to deep mud; there is nothing solid to support Him. God’s beloved Son is enduring God’s judgement in order to pay the penalty of our sin.
“I am weary with My crying. My throat is dry. My eyes fail while I wait for My God.” (Verse 3)
He makes an urgent plea for help. He is exhausted and straining in the search for help.
“Those who hate Me without cause are more than the hairs on my head. They are mighty who would destroy me being My enemies wrongfully. Though I have stolen nothing I still must restore it”. (Verse 4)
There is an angry mob milling about the cross full of venom, hatred, bitterness and cruelty. The creator and He who sustains of the universe is nailed to a cross and dying. These people have no excuse for their actions and anger. Most poignantly, Yeshua says “What I did not steal I must restore” – through man’s disobedience God has been robbed of the service, worship, obedience and glory that is due to Him. Man robbed himself of life, peace, gladness and fellowship with God. Only Yeshua can restore what He did not steal.
3. What the Psalms foretell about the Resurrection and the Church age
Psalm 16: 10 – Messiah will rise from the dead.
Psalm 68: 18 – Messiah will ascend into heaven.
Psalm 109: 8 – His betrayer will be replaced.
Detailed examination of Psalm 40: 1-3:
“I waited patiently for the Lord and He inclined to Me. And heard My cry.” (Verse 1)
Here we see the Lord’s Resurrection. He waited patiently for God to hear His prayer and He delivered Him from death. He could be patient as He knows that prayers ae answered at the time best suited to God’s purposes. But His cry was heard.
“He has brought Me up out of the horrible pit; out of miry clay. And set My feet upon a rock and established my steps”. (Verse 2)
Yeshua likens His deliverance to being rescued from a horrible pit and a miry bog. He emerges victorious over sin, Satan and death. God has rescued Him and has placed Him on solid rock.
“He has put a new song in my mouth. Praise to our God. Many will see it and fear and trust in the Lord.” (Verse 3)
Note that it is God who provides the song: He is both the source and the object of this praise. His deliverance gives good testimony; as indeed the miracle of the Resurrection has brought many to faith.
Detailed examination of Psalm 110: 1-3:
“The Lord said to My Lord “Sit at My right hand till I make Your enemies Your footstool”.” (Verse 1)
This Psalm places us with Yeshua, the glorified one, at God’s right hand in Heaven. We have Jehovah speaking to David’s Lord. Clearly this is a divine being equal with God. But He is only in His present position on a temporary basis until His earthly enemies are dealt with. Then we will see His second advent.
“The Lord will send the rod of Your strength out of Zion. Rule in the midst of Your enemies.” (Verse 2)
This verse looks forward to the end of the church age, when Jehovah establishes Yeshua as King in Jerusalem despite all opposition. His unreconstructed enemies will have been destroyed. And He will rule over former foes, who have now become friends and submit to His rule.
“Your people shall be volunteers in the day of Your power. In the beauties of holiness, from the womb of the morning, You have the dew of Your youth.” (Verse 3)
This verse takes us into the millennium kingdom. His people offer themselves as willing volunteers in Yeshua’s service. In their lives they will manifest all the attractiveness that there is in a pure and holy character.
Psalm 98: 4 – The saved of Israel will break forth in rapturous joy.
Psalm 118: 26 – Messiah will come in the name of the Lord.
Psalm 118: 22 – Messiah will be the chief stone of God’s building.
Detailed examination of Psalm 2: 1-9.
“Why do the nations rage and the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord and His Anointed saying “Let us break Their bonds of peace and cast away Their cords from us”. (Verses 1, 2 and 3)
Clearly this Psalm takes us to the close of the Great Tribulation, immediately prior to the glorious return and reign of Messiah. A large federation of rulers and nations will try to prevent Yeshua taking the reins of world government. We see here the unity of the Father and the Son, and the determination of the earth’s rulers to resist God’s plan.
“He who sits in the heavens shall laugh. The Lord shall hold them in derision”. (Verse 4)
God laughs. Their conspiracy and efforts are futile.
“Then He shall speak to them in His wrath. And distress them in His deep displeasure. Yet I have set My King on My holy hill of Zion.” (Verses 5 and 6)
God has His plan and it will not be thwarted. Once God has pronounced His intent, it is as good as done.
“I will decree the decree. The Lord has said to Me. “You are My Son. Today I have begotten You”. (Verse 7)
Now we see Yeshua Himself revealing a private conversation He had with His Father. The term “begotten” suggests a future date when Yeshua will be crowned king.
“Ask of Me and I will give You the nations for Your inheritance and the ends of the earth for Your possessions.” (Verse 8)
The conversation between God and Yeshua continues. God has promised Yeshua total control, of the earth.
“You shall break them with a rod of iron. You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel”. (Verse 9)
Their conversation continues. God will give Yeshua the authority to deal with all insubordination and rebellion. He shall break all opposition like a heavy object on a clay pot.
Detailed examination of Psalm 45: 3-7:
“Gird Your sword upon Your thigh, O Mighty One with Your glory and Majesty”. (Verse 3)
This Psalm clearly depicts the glorious second coming of Our Lord when He returns to earth in power and great glory. A conquering warrior – with sword and majesty.
“And in Your majesty ride prosperously because of truth, humility and righteousness. And Your right hand shall teach You awesome things”. (Verse 4)
We see here a triumphal procession in dazzling splendour. The Lord can ride forth in triumph because of His truth, humility and righteousness (the very fundamental characteristic of Messiah). His powerful right hand is also His nail-pierced hand but now it bears His sword in frightening power against His enemies.
“Your arrows are sharp in the heart of the King’s enemies. The people fall under You”. (Verse 5)
His power is great and cannot be resisted.
“Your throne, O God is forever and forever. A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom”. (Verse 6)
After the battle, He is seated on the throne of His glory in Jerusalem. This is an eternal throne. (NB Yeshua is here addressed as “God”). This is one of the clearest proofs of His deity in scripture. His throne is eternal as He is. His royal sceptre (the emblem of His authority and power) is one of equity. He will rule with absolute justice and holiness.
“You love righteousness and hate wickedness. Therefore God, Your God has anointed You with oil of gladness more than all Your companions”. (Verse 7)
Again Yeshua is addressed as “God”. God loves righteousness and hates wickedness. Because of Yeshua’s righteousness and integrity, God has anointed Him with the oil of joy and gladness.
Detailed examination of Psalm 93: 1-5:
“The Lord reigns, He is clothed with majesty. The Lord is clothed. He has girded Himself with strength. Surely the world is established, so that it cannot be moved.” (Verse 1)
Here we are looking at the glorious day when Messiah will proclaim Himself King. Clothed in majesty, in sharp contrast to His first advent, He has the strength and power to rule the world. World conditions will be established on a firm, stable basis, not subject to moral and political convulsions. His authority will have no end.
“Your throne is established of old. You are everlasting.” (Verse 2)
The throne of God is eternal. It has always existed. But it has not been as clearly manifest as it will be when Messiah reigns. The King is also eternal i.e. divine.
“The floods have lifted up, O Lord. The floods have lifted up their voice. The floods lifted up their waves”. (Verse 3)
Here the “floods” and “waves” represent the gentile nations which have oppressed Israel and conspired against Yeshua.
“The Lord on High is mightier than the noise of many waters; than the mighty waves of the sea”. (Verse 4)
The efforts of the gentile nations are futile. Messiah is mightier that all their confederation despite the noise they make.
“Your testimonies are very sure. Holiness adorns Your home, O Lord, forever”. (Verse 5)
The Word of God has proved to be true. All the pronouncements He made concerning the defeat of His foes and the establishment of His righteous reign will be fulfilled. The Temple in Jerusalem will be cleansed from evil. It will be a pure home forever.
Psalm 8: 6 – Messiah will be the ruler of all.
Psalm 45: 6 – Messiah will be the eternal King.
Psalm 67: 4 – His rule will bring great joy to the nations.
Psalm 110: 1 – Messiah will rule over His enemies.
Psalm 110: 4 – Messiah will be an appointed priest forever.
Detailed examination of Psalm 72: 2-4:
“He will judge Your people with righteousness and the poor with justice”. (Verse 2)
This is a vision of the Millennial kingdom. The Redeemer of mankind sets up His resplendent kingdom. Corruption, bribery and oppression will cease and trials will be conducted with impartiality.
“The mountains will bring forth peace to the people and the little hills by righteousness.” (Verse 3)
“The mountains” are a symbol of governmental authority and the “little hills” are a symbol of the justice system. The subjects of Yeshua’s kingdom can expect equity and justice at all levels.
“He will bring justice to the poor of the people. He will save the children of the needy. And will break in pieces the oppressor”. (Verse 4)
In the Millennial kingdom, the King Himself will be the advocate for the poor. There will be real social justice and punishment for the oppressor.
Detailed examination of Psalm 132: 13-18:
“For the Lord has chosen Zion. He has desired it for His resting place. “This is My resting place forever. Here I will dwell, for I have desired it ….” (Verses 13 and 14)
The millennial dwelling place for God is Jerusalem. As God chose David, He has chosen Jerusalem.
“I will abundantly bless her provision. I will satisfy her poor with bread. I will also cloth her priests with salvation. And her saints shall shout aloud with joy.” (Verses 15 and 16)
In the capital city of the Millennial kingdom there will be plentiful provision for the poor. The priests will be truly holy and the saints will experience such joy that they will cry out!
“There I will make the House of David grow. I will prepare a lamp for My Anointed”. (Verse 17)
This is still God speaking. David’s descendent, the Anointed One, will rule, making a perpetual Davidic dynasty fulfilled in Yeshua.
“His enemies I will clothe in shame. But upon Himself His crown shall flourish”. (Verse 18)
So excellent will be the reign of the Messiah that those who opposed Him will be put to shame. But the Anointed One will be covered with glory and honour evermore.