1 Corinthians 2:16 " For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?' But we have the mind of Christ."

Transcription

1 The Psalms of Christ - The Messiah Chapter 1 1 Corinthians 2:16 " For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?' But we have the mind of Christ." Every believer should be familiar with the previous verse, and knows the importance to our Christian walk to understanding the life and thoughts of Jesus. Hebrews 12:2-3 "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." When Paul said, "We have the mind of Christ," have you ever considered what he was talking about? At the time Paul wrote those words, to the Corinthians, only the Gospel of Matthew had been written (possibly), and only three of his epistles. The letters of Peter, James, John, and the other three Gospels, as well as Revelation were yet to be written. What was the mind of Christ that Paul was talking about? It was contained in the Old Testament, which for the first time had been revealed in its full meaning by the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ as Peter explained: 1 Peter 1:10-12 "Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you (the Church Age believers), when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things." 1 / 11

2 One of the places I found a real treasure of insight into the mind of Christ is the Messianic Psalms. I was moved to write this paper because as I read the commentaries on these Psalms I found a real lack of appreciation of the depths to which God allows us, by means of these Psalms, into the mind of Jesus Christ as He went through His trials. Of course, I have observed that all the individual Psalms themselves are rarely studied. They are often quoted, sometimes out of context, but they are rarely studied. I recently did a survey of the website of the Biblical Studies Foundation. They have an extensive collection of studies on the Bible. Out of the 150 Psalms they had a commentary on only 36 of them. Of the 35 Psalms I have identified as Messianic, the count of commentaries is 10. This is typical, if not an improvement, on most commentaries. Psalms are usually popular subjects for personal devotional reading, but they are rarely really studied as what they are, 150 separate short books. Each one stands on its own. Each Psalm has its own voice, historical context, and outlook (historical or prophetical). Voice By voice, I mean the voice the Holy Spirit is using. Often the voice is not that of the author. For example, although Psalm 22 was written by David, it is clear that the voice speaking in the Psalm is not David, but the Christ to come. It is clear that the owner of the voice in that Psalm is being crucified. His hands and feet have been pierced, and his executioners are casting lots for his clothing. Psalms 22:16b-18 "A band of evil men has encircled me, they have pierced my hands and my feet. I can count all my bones; people stare and gloat over me. They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing. None of this happened to David, so clearly it is not the voice of David, the author of the Psalm. Of course until Jesus came, the Jews had no idea who was speaking. We do! Sometimes the voice is the voice of Spiritual Israel, speaking of the concerns and viewpoints of Israel or the priesthood as a whole as in Psalm 33 in which the Psalm speaks with the voice 2 / 11

3 of "we." Psalms 33:21-22 "In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you." Sometimes the voice of the Psalm is the voice of the author and his personal experience. Psalm 51 is such a Psalm. The superscription and the text make it clear that it is David speaking about his personal experience when he fell into extended sin after he committed adultery with Bathsheba and allowed her husband to be needlessly killed in battle. Psalms 51:5 "Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me." Historical Context When I speak of historical context, I mean, the background against which the Psalm was written. Sometimes this is not too important, such as when the Psalm is speaking prophetically of things relating to either the First Advent of Christ, or the Tribulation and Second Advent of Christ. However, in some Psalms, particularly the Psalms of Asaph, there is much in the Psalms that you cannot understand if you don't understand that they were written by one man who lived during the most spiritually and politically traumatic time in the history of the nation of Israel (the reigns of Solomon and his son Rehoboam). Outlook When I speak of outlook (historical or prophetical), I mean is the Psalm is speaking of events past or current to the time in which it was written (historical), or is it speaking of events future (prophetical)? Almost all the prophetical Psalms are Messianic, that is, about the Messiah, Jesus Christ. That is fitting, because He is the central subject of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. 3 / 11

4 However, although all the Psalms are under appreciated, it is the Messianic Psalms which are particularly so. It is the Messianic Psalms which reveal to us the actual unheard thoughts and prayers of the Lord when He was undergoing His trials. Since His life is our pattern and power, how useful it should be to know His innermost thoughts. I have rarely heard or seen any of the twenty two Messianic Psalms which are the inner thoughts of Christ taught as what they are. Yet they reveal to us the Lord's innermost thinking. Eleven of those Psalms are certified by the New Testament itself as being the very mind of Christ during his life. The other eleven of those Psalms are indicate as the voice of Christ by the fact that they do not fit the life of author (usually David), but do fit the life of Christ. My question was "Why have these Psalms been ignored?" Part of the problem seems to be related to the fact that some of these Psalms speak about the sins of the speaker. However, this problem should not be a problem when we consider that fact that one of the greatest agonies of the cross for Jesus Christ was that "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."(2 Corinthians 5:21). There are Psalms that are clearly labeled in the New Testament as speaking of Christ, and yet I have seen it argued that only parts of the Psalm are of Christ. I do not understand why. God is not the author of confusion. Sometimes the only way to get any sense out of the Psalm is to understand that it is all speaking of Christ. I have broken down these Messianic Psalms into two categories. First I have presented those Psalms which are beyond any question of a doubt speaking of Jesus Christ because they are quoted in the New Testament as speaking of Jesus Christ. Second I have presented those, which to my mind, exactly fit the profile of Jesus Christ just like the previous category, and not of the writer (usually David), but are not quoted in the New Testament. One other note: I have also included Lamentations 3 as a Messianic Psalm. Each of the Lamentations are actually a separate poem like the Psalms, with their own specific topic. Since the topics each deal with a lamentation of some disaster they are called Lamentations. Whether they are all written by Jeremiah is a subject of conjecture. Also in addition to the Psalms that are written in the voice of the Messiah, there are thirteen Psalms which write about the Messiah, but not in His voice. These are included at the end. 4 / 11

5 Finally, I think it is instructive to note that Paul quoted Psalm 69 (a Messianic Psalm) when he wanted to encourage his reader (and therefore us) to find reason for hope and encouragement in the reading of the Old Testament: Romans 15:3-4 "For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.' For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope." Messianic Psalms in the Voice of Christ Confirmed by the New Testament Psalm 2 In Acts Peter ascribed Psalm 2 to David. At the same time he affirmed that this Psalm is speaking about Jesus Christ: Acts 4:24-27 "When they (Peter and John) heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. Sovereign Lord,' they said, you (Jesus Christ) made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his Anointed One. ' Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed.'" Also verse 9 is quoted by Christ himself in Revelation 2:25-27 "Only hold on to what you have until I come. To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations-- He will rule them with an iron scepter; he will dash them to pieces like pottery' -just as I have received authority from my Father." 5 / 11

6 In this Psalm the voice is clearly the voice of Christ. How else could it say ""You are my Son; today I have become your Father." In outlook, this Psalm is clearly prophetic. It speaks of trial of Christ (1 st Advent) and the establishment of His rule by great destruction (2 nd Advent). Psalm 2 Psalms 2:1 Why do the nations [a] conspire and the peoples [b] plot in vain? 2:2 The kings of the earth [c] take their stand and the rulers [d] gather together against the LORD and against his Anointed One. [e] 2:3 "Let us break their chains," [f] they say, "and throw off their fetters." 2:4 The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. 2:5 Then he rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying, 2:6 "I have installed my King on Zion, [g] my holy hill." 2:7 I will proclaim the decree of the LORD: He said to me, "You are my Son; today [h] I have become your Father. [i] 2:8 Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession. 2:9 You will rule them with an iron scepter; you will dash them to pieces like pottery." 2:10 Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. 2:11 Serve the LORD with fear and rejoice with trembling. 6 / 11

7 2:12 Kiss the Son, [j] lest he be angry and you be destroyed in your way, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in him. Psalm 16 The voice of this entire Psalm is Christ, not David. In Acts 2:29-31 Peter explained that verse 10 is speaking of Christ and said that "he was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay." Acts 2:29-31 "Brothers, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. Seeing what was ahead, [k] he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay. That means that the "me" and "my" throughout this Psalm is Christ. In Acts 13:35 Paul also quoted this Psalm and said it was speaking of Christ. Since this Psalm is speaking of Christ it is also clearly Prophetic for the time it was written. Psalm 16 A miktam [l] of David. 7 / 11

8 Psalm 16:1 Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge. 16:2 I said to the LORD, "You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing." 16:3 As for the saints who are in the land, they are the glorious ones in whom is all my delight. 16:4 The sorrows of those will increase who run after other gods. I will not pour out their libations of blood [m] or take up their names on my lips. [n] 16:5 LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; [o] you have made my lot [p] secure. 16:6 The boundary lines sorrows [q] have fallen for me in pleasant beautiful places; [r] surely I have a delightful inheritance. [s] 16:7 I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. 16:8 I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand, [t] I will not be shaken. 16:9 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, 16:10 because you will not abandon me to the grave, [u] nor will you let your Holy One see decay. 16:11 You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. [v] 8 / 11

9 [a] The word for "nations" here is the Hebrew word *&# {go'-ee} which is the word which refers to those who are Gentiles. [b] The word for "peoples" here is the Hebrew word.!- {leh-ome'} which is the word which is usually used in opposition to *&# {go'-ee} and refers to those who are of Israel. [c] Pontius Pilate and Herod Antipas who ruled the Gentiles. [d] The Sanhedrin who ruled Israel. [e] Quoted in Acts 4:25-26, see above. [f] "Their chains" refers to the authority of God the Father and the Son and Their plan. [g] Zion, where Christ was crucified, not Moriah where Herod's Temple was. [h] A valid question is what is the "today" spoken of here. It could refer to His birth as a human being, His death on the cross on Mt. Zion, or His resurrection and ascension to the right hand of the Father. Or, my favorite, "today" could encompass the "day" of Christ, i.e., all three. The Hebrew word used here is.&* {yome}, which can be a 24 hour day or an era. [i] It is made clear here that the Messiah ("the Anointed One") would be the 9 / 11

10 "Son of God." This was not acknowledged by the Jews in Jesus' day, who would ask Him if He was the Messiah, but were outraged when He claimed to be the "Son of God." [j] This reminds me of the story of the good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), where the expert in the Law is told to love his neighbor, the Samaritan (a symbol of Jesus Christ), to obtain salvation. [k] By means of the Holy Spirit speaking through David. See Matthew 22:43-44 "He (Jesus) said to them, How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls him Lord'? For he says, The Lord said to my Lord: Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.'" [l] Miktam - writing; i.e., a poem or song. Some translate the word "golden," i.e., precious. The root of the word means to stamp or engrave, and hence it is regarded as denoting a composition so precious as to be worthy to be engraved on a durable tablet for preservation; or, as others render, "a psalm precious as stamped gold," from the word kethem, "fine or stamped gold." [m] It was the High Priest who poured out the libation of blood on the Day of Atonement. Jesus is the true High Priest (Hebrews 7:24-27). There is no atonement without faith. [n] Remember that Jesus Christ intercedes for believers with the Father (Romans 8:34, Hebrews 7:25). He will not intercede for the unbelieving. [o] This recalls Jesus' prayer in the Garden recognizing that the cup of suffering He was about to undergo was assigned Him by God. [p] The Hebrew word used here is -9&# {go-rawl'} which is the same as the Pur in Esther (Esther 3:7, 9:24), the lot which was cast for the fate of the Jews. Jesus was presented in Jerusalem as the first born son on the Fast of Esther, the day before the Feast of Purim (or Esther). 10 / 11

11 [q] The Hebrew word used here is -"( {kheh'-bel} which can mean sorrows and is the dominant translation of the word in Psalms. Considering that this is about Christ, it seems the most appropriate translation. [r] The Hebrew word used here is.*31 {naw-eem'} which also means beautiful or lovely. This speaks of the beauty of the Lord's love to us as shown by the Cross. [s] Hebrews 12:2 "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, wh o for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. [t] If Jesus is facing the Father, and the Father is at His right hand, Jesus is at the Lord's right hand (Psalms 110:1, Matthew 26:64, Mark 14:62, Mark 16:19. Luke 22:69, Acts 2:33, many others). Remember the Jesus intercedes for us at the throne of God, so the picture is Jesus facing the Father at His throne. [u] The Hebrew word Sheol (-&!:) which really means Hell or the realm of death. [v] It is Jesus Christ who is set at the right hand of God. Psalm 110:1 "The LORD says to my Lord: Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.'". 11 / 11