Christ in the Psalms

Happy Friday!

Psalms is a book of comfort and a book of connection. The Psalms are filled with desperate cries from people just like me and you, walking through a dark and lonely valley of life. When we read words like, “Why are you downcast, o my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God,” from Psalm 43, it is difficult not to feel the agony in this writer’s voice or perhaps we can emphasize because we feel the same way. One thing to note from this particular psalm is where the writer says, “for I shall AGAIN praise him.” Like the psalm writer, can all walk through difficult seasons where praising God doesn’t come as a first response. Yet, we can do as the Psalmist does and choose to praise him again.

But where do we find Christ in the Psalms?

Both the Christian and Jewish faith have long believed that many of the Psalms pertained as much to the coming Messiah as they did to events at the time. Jesus also frequently quoted from Psalms, and much of Jesus’ final words during his last moments on the cross were prophesied in the Psalms.  

Let’s look at the major references to Christ in the psalms, and where to find their NT fulfillment. Today, we’ll focus on the fulfillments found in the Gospels.

        -Psalm 16:8-10 He will rise from the dead (Luke 24:5-7)

        -Psalm 22:1-21 He will experience agony on the cross (Matthew 26-27)

        -Psalm 22:15 He will thirst while on the cross (John 19:28)

        -Psalm 22:18 Evil men will cast lots for His clothing (Matthew 27:35; John 19:23, 24)

        -Psalm 41:9 His close friends will betray Him (Luke 22:48)

        -Psalm 69:9 He will be zealous for God (John 2:17)

        -Psalm 69:21 He will be offered vinegar for His thirst on the cross (Matthew 27:48)

        -Psalm 89:3, 4, 35, 36 He will be a descendant of David (Luke 1:31-33)

        -Psalm 110:1 He will be David’s son and David’s Lord (Matthew 22:44)

Which Psalm do you find is the most surprising reference to Christ? These are the major references made to Christ in the Psalms, but do you know of another reference?