Christ in The Psalms

~ Jesus Christ Is Our Shepherd and Much More ~

The Bible is about Jesus Christ  ~  “Jesus said to them, ‘How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter His glory?’ And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning Himself” (Luke 24:25-27).

Christ in The Psalms  ~  In the Jewish Song Book our Messiah is seen as our Shepherd, our fortress, our Rock, our All in All, and the Beloved of God.  He is our Morning  Song.  The Book of Psalms looks forward to the ultimate glorious and righteous King.  “Who is this King of Glory?” (Psalm 24:8a) – None other than the Messiah, Jesus Christ—the Anointed One.

The Basic Key  ~  To understand the Book of Psalms and its relationship with the rest of the Bible is to understand the difference between Christianity and other religions—it is a relationship, not a religion!   Throughout  Psalms we find a God who understands the emotional side of human life and invites us to have an intimate relationship with Him.   While on earth the Messiah identified Himself with the human experience.  He understands our plight on earth and He is our Great High Priest.  “Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.  For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.  Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:14-16). 

Comment  ~  We have only touched the surface of Christ in The Psalms.  Much more could be said about the Messiah in Israel’s songbook.

additional comment: There are many references to Jesus Christ, the Messiah, throughout the Book of Psalms.  Consider the following three examples (not intended to be a complete list):

Psalm 2:7 with Hebrews 1:5

Psalm 45:6-7 with Hebrews 1:8-9

Psalm 104:4 with Hebrews 1:7

additional comment: While on earth Jesus Christ often quoted the Scriptures including (not intended to be a complete list):

Psalm 8:2 in Matthew 21:16

Psalm 22:1 in Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34

Psalm 31:5 in Luke 23:46

Psalm 41:9 in John 13:18

Psalm 69:4 in John 15:25

Psalm 82:6 in John 10:34

Psalm 118:22-23 in Matthew 21:42, Mark 12:10-11, and Luke 20:17

Psalm 110:1 in Matthew 22:44, Mark 12:36, and Luke 20:42-43

additional comment: The Book of Psalms is often quoted in the New Testament.  Compare the following examples (not intended to be a complete list): 

Psalm 2:1-2 with Acts 4:25

Psalm 2:7 with Acts 13:33, Hebrews 1:5, and Hebrews 5:5 

Psalm 2:9 with Revelation 2:27 

Psalm 4:4 with Ephesians 4:26

Psalm 5:9-10 with Romans 3:10-18

Psalm 8:4-6 with I Corinthians 15:27 and Hebrews 2:6-8

Psalm 10:7 with Romans 3:10-18

Psalm 14:1-3 with Romans 3:10-18

Psalm 16:8-11 with Acts 2:25-28 and Acts 13:35 

Psalm 18:49 with Romans 15:9

Psalm 19:4 with Romans 10:18

Psalm 22:18 with Matthew 27:35 and John 19:24

Psalm 22:22 with Hebrews 2:12 

Psalm 27:1 with Hebrews 13:6

Psalm 32:1-2 with Romans 4:7-8

Psalm 34:12-16 with 1 Peter 3:10-12

Psalm 34:20 with John 19:36

Psalm 36:1-2 with Romans 3:10-18

Psalm 40:6-8 with Hebrews 10:5-7 and 10:8-9 

Psalm 44:22 with Romans 8:36

Psalm 51:4 with Romans 3:4 

Psalm 53:1-3 with Romans 3:10-18

Psalm 55:22  with 1 Peter 5:7

Psalm 62:12 with Romans 2:6 

Psalm 68:18 with Ephesians 4:8

Psalm 69:9 with John 2:17 and Romans 25:3

Psalm 69:22-23 with Romans 11:9

Psalm 69:25 with Acts 1:20

Psalm 78:2 with Matthew 13:35

Psalm 89:20 with Acts 13:22

Psalm 91:11-12 with Matthew 4:6 and Luke 4:10-11

Psalm 94:11 with 1 Corinthians 3:20

Psalm 95:7-11 with Hebrews 3:7-11, 15, 4:3, 5, and 4:7

Psalm 102:25-27 with Hebrews 1:10-12

Psalm 109:8 with Acts 1:20

Psalm 110:1 with Acts 2:34-35, and Hebrews 1:13

Psalm 110:4 with Hebrews 5:6, 10, 7:17, and 7:21

Psalm 112:9 with 2 Corinthians 9:9

Psalm 116:10 with 2 Corinthians 4:13

Psalm 117:1 with Romans 15:11

Psalm 118:6 with Hebrews 13:6 

Psalm 118:22-23 with Acts 4:11, and 1 Peter 2:7

Psalm 118:26 with Matthew 21:9, Mark 11:9, Luke 13:35, 19:38, and John 12:13

Psalm 140:3 with Romans 3:10-18

The Apostle Paul told us the Scriptures present many shadows of things to come but the reality is found in Jesus Christ (Colossians 2:17). 

~~~ EXPLANATORY “JESUS CHRIST IN EVERY BOOK OF THE BIBLE” SERIES ~~~  

(1)  Approximately once a month ALN posts an overview of how Jesus Christ is seen in a specific book of the Bible.

(2)  In most cases these posts only scratch the surface regarding Jesus Christ in the particular book.

(3)  These posts will typically be in the same order as the books are found in the Bible.

(4)  These serial posts are in addition to our other ALN postings.

(5)  Subscription to ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog is simple—just use the link on the left sidebar.  Once subscribed you will not miss future posts.

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

If you found this post personally interesting or helpful, you are welcome to add a link to it on your own blog or website. 

If you would prefer to copy this post, please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight (http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/).

Messiah, 159

~ Messiah Would Judge Justly ~

“Search the Scriptures—they testify of Me.”

— Jesus Christ (John 5:39)

The Scripture

“In mercy the throne will be established; and One will sit on it in truth, in the tabernacle of David, judging and seeking justice and hastening righteousness” (Isaiah 16:5). 

The Messiah  

Jesus said, “My judgment is true; for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent Me” (John 8:16). 

The Future Complete Fulfillment

The only long-term effective government is one that is led by a perfectly just and righteous dictator.  The problem is that only one individual fits that description—Jesus Christ.  Jesus said, “He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day” (John 12:48). 

Christians understand that in a future day Jesus Christ will rule overall as the Righteous One.  In that day everyone will acknowledge that He is truly the ultimate ruler and rightly has the title “King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.”   

~~~ EXPLANATORY “MESSIAH” NOTES ~~~   

(1)  Each Saturday ALN posts an example of a Hebrew Scriptures prophecy (or foreshadowing) related to the coming Messiah which was fulfilled in the birth, life, death, or resurrection of Jesus Christ.

(2)  While extensive it will not be a complete list—there are hundreds of prophecies of the coming Messiah which have been fulfilled by one man—Jesus Christ at His First Coming.

(3)  It is important that there are many more prophecies of the Messiah, yet unfulfilled, which Christians believe will be fulfilled at the time of His Second Coming.  A particularly relevant Scripture verse in this regard is: “Do not despise prophesies” (1 Thessalonians 5:20).

(4)  These posts will typically consist only of Scripture—which speaks for itself.  Sometimes italicized or bold font will be used by ALN for emphasis.

(5)  The numbering of these fulfilled prophecies of the Messiah is used to differentiate individual posts. It is not chronological (either by time of the prophecy or by sequence in the life of the Messiah).  The posting sequence will, for the most part, be in the order that the prophecies appear in Scripture.

(6)  Because of the chosen methodology (#5 above) we will find many specific prophecies repeated multiple times throughout the Scriptures.

(7)  These serial posts are in addition to our regular Tuesday ALN postings on random topics.

(8)  Subscription to ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog is simple—just use the link on the left sidebar.  Once subscribed you will not miss future posts.

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

If you found this post personally interesting or helpful, you are welcome to add a link to it on your own blog or website. 

If you would prefer to copy this post, please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight (http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/).

Independence

~ Dependence Upon God Provides The Greatest Freedom ~

Quotes from our 16th President  ~  “I have been driven many times upon my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go.  My own wisdom, and that of all about me, seemed insufficient for that day.  When I left Springfield I asked the people to pray for me.  I was not a Christian.  But when I went to Gettysburg and saw the graves of thousands of our soldiers, I then and there consecrated myself to Christ.  Yes, I do love Jesus.”    ~ Abraham Lincoln 

“I know there is a God, and that He hates injustice and slavery.  I see the storm coming, and I know that His hand is in it.  If he has a place and work for me—and I think He has—I believe I am ready.”    ~ Abraham Lincoln

“It is the duty of nations, as well as of men, to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God and to recognize the sublime truth announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations only are blessed whose God is the Lord.  I am much indebted to the good Christian people of the country for their constant prayers and consolations; and to no one of them, more than to yourself.”    ~ Abraham Lincoln, from his September 4, 1864, Letter to Eliza Gurney

“Character is like a tree and reputation like its shadow.  The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing.”   ~ Abraham Lincoln

“The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies.  To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God.  In the midst of a civil war of unequalled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere...  No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things.  They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God.”    ~ Abraham Lincoln, October 3, 1863

“I believe the Bible is the best gift God has ever given man.  All the good from the Saviour of the world is communicated to us through this book.”    ~ Abraham Lincoln

“He said he wanted to visit the Holy Land and see those places hallowed by the footprints of the Saviour.  He was saying there was no city he so much desired to see as Jerusalem.  And with the words half spoken on his tongue, the bullet of the assassin entered the brain, and the soul of the great and good President was carried by the angels to the New Jerusalem above.”    ~ Mary Todd Lincoln, April 14, 1865 (her recollection of Abe’s last words)

Comment  ~  Freedom from sin is the greatest of all freedoms! 

From an old Protestant hymn:

        Know this, that every soul is free

                To choose his life and what he'll be;

        For this eternal truth is given

                That God will force no man to heaven.

       

        He'll call, persuade, direct aright,

                And bless with wisdom, love, and light,

        In nameless ways be good and kind,

                But never force the human mind. 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

If you found this post personally interesting or helpful, you are welcome to add a link to it on your own blog or website. 

If you would prefer to copy this post, please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight (http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/).