We will open with prayer.
The
first question that arises is: Why should we believe that we will find the
Messiah in the book of Psalm? We find
the answer to this coming from Christs own lips. Turn to Luke 24: 44-45. Would
someone read this for us.
God spoke of His plan for mans’ redemption as woven
throughout the Old Testament. It was outlined in the Law of Moses, the
Prophets, and the Psalms. Christ was the fulfillment of the plan. The threefold
classification of the Old Testament sums up its content. For the disciples or
for us to begin to understand Gods’ plan we need to have it opened to our
understanding. This is what Christ was doing in this portion of Scripture after
He had risen. It is what He did on the road to Emmaus. Could someone read verse
32?
They said, “Did not our
heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road.” When Christ speaks
to us through the word, and through His Holy Spirit there is that exhilaration.
Turn to Col. 3:16-17. Would someone read this Scripture? In the early church, they sang the Psalms. We
sing them even today. Can anyone think of some of the Psalms we sing today? The
Psalms bring us to the point of worship. All the Psalms reflect Christ and His
work, but the Messianic Psalms have long been established as Christological.
The genre of the Psalm according
to Richard Belcher “helps one to understand a psalm in terms of content, mood,
and structure. The genre of a psalm also has implications for how a psalm
relates to Christ.”[1]
One needs to take into “consideration the context of the psalm in its
historical or literary setting, the unfolding of revelation through redemptive
history, the unity of the purposes of God for his people, and the fullness of
revelation in Jesus Christ.”[2]
ROYAL
PSALMS
The Royal Psalms are based
on the covenant promises made to the house of David. Kingship is the main topic
of these psalms. They speak of the king and the anointed one and at times of
David by name and Christ by inference. Psalm 2 is a good example. Will someone
read Psalm 2.
What does verse 6 tell us about the king? In the middle east and
other places the king was referred to as God’s son.
Matthew 3:17, acts
13:33
These two verses refer to Psalm 2. What does this tell
us about the king, and rule of the kingdom.
Discussion on verses 6-12.
TYPOLOGICAL
PROPHETIC MESSIANIC PSALMS
These Psalms use analogies and comparisons. The comparisons are usually
between Christ and David. Will someone please read chapter 41?
There are four
movements in this Psalm. 1) There is confidence that God will deliver. 2)
David’s distress is described. 3) Hope in the Lord is restored. 4) There is
praise.
Lets look at each movement, and the scriptures that reflect it.
Discussion:
How will the Lord bless those who consider the poor?
Read 1John 1:9-11
Looking at verse 4 we see the admission of sin, and a
request for mercy. What is David accusing his enemy of doing?
Read Matthew 26: 14-16 and 30-35
Discussion:
Who was David’s enemy according to verse 9?
This psalm begins with God blessing man and ends with
man blessing God.
How can this be applied to our lives today?
Discussion:
PROPHETIC
TYPOLOGICAL PSALMS
These
Psalms also have the comparisons and analogies. These Psalms, although they
speak of the psalmist experience they reach beyond his experience to another’s
experience. This Psalm would be important in the teachings of the apostles of
the early church. Would someone read Chapter 16?
This psalm has four movements;
1) A petition for deliverance. 2) Condemning the wicked and their ways. 3)
Praises of the relationship David has with God. 4) Confidence in God’s ability
to spare his life and bless him.
Let's look at each of these movements in chapter 16.
Read Acts 2:22-31
David died and was buried and he returned to the dust
he was taken from, so we realize that David had to be speaking of someone else.
That someone was Christ.
Discussion:
Compare David and Christ using the Scriptures in Psalm
and Acts.
PURELY
PROPHETIC PSALMS
These are direct prophecies. One is found
in Psalm 110. There are not many of these. This Psalm is quoted more frequently
in the New Testament than another Psalm. Read psalm 110.
“Lord” in this
instance is another word for Yahweh. Jesus interprets this passage in Matthew
22:41-45. Would someone read this passage?
This passage affirms that David wrote Psalm 110. Chapter 110 would
appear to be completely prophecy with David speaking under the influence of the
Spirit.
Christ to be a priest after the order of who,
and where do we see this in the New Testament?
Read Hebrews 5:5-11; 6:20
Discussion:
ESCHATOLOGICAL
KINGSHIP PSALMS
These Psalms focus is on
the reign and rule of God. Psalm 47 is a good example of this. Would someone
read this Psalm?
I am sure as this was read it was recognizable as a song we
sing.
What words of praise do you see in this chapter? Words
like awesome, etc.
How far does His reign reach?
Discussion:
This chapter was probably a celebration of a mighty
victory won through Yahweh’s strength. It also stretches beyond to the day when
Yahweh will rule over all.
Read 1 Corinthians 15:24-28
Discussion:
The Psalm needs to be read with a Christological view.
Christ is the theme upon which God’s Word is based. He flows through the Bible
from Genesis to Revelation. The Bible was inspired by the Holy Spirit, and the
New Testament brought light to the Words of the Old Testament.
All the Psalms have a
relationship to Christ, but there are five types of Messianic Psalms. The first
would be the Royal Psalms. These are the indirect Messianic Psalms. Turn to
Psalm 20, and would someone read this aloud.
Where does the kings power come
from according to this Psalm? (Discussion)Yes, the king’s power comes from
Yahweh. Verse 1 speaks of God answering in the day of trouble. We as believers
can also appreciate how God delivers us in the verses 1,5, and 7.
How is His name used?
(Discussion) Very good point. This is applicable to us today. God is our
deliverer. Others may trust in horses or chariots, but his children understand
that these are sources that he uses to deliver. Believers understand that God
is the source of our total supply. Our jobs are a source used by God to supply
what we need. Doctors are a source that God uses in our healing. Everything
comes from God. He gives us our life and sustains it. We do all things in the
name of God, and lift our praises to him, for his acceptance and deliverance
even as David did. How do these Scriptures show us Gods sovereignty? (Discussion)
The Royal Psalms show the
high hopes and the disillusionment of Israel with the kingship. They were to
face the Babylonian exile, and in the 6th century B.C. the loss of
the Davidic kingship. The New Testament interprets the Royal Psalms through
Christ who is King and High Priest. The Royal Psalms include Psalm 2, 20,
21,45,72,101,110,132. Psalms 89 is an example of a Royal Psalm that also
contains a lament.
Now we will look at the
typological Prophetic Psalms.
