Jesus in the Psalms, part 1

The Psalms were written by various authors spanning a time period of almost 1000 years. Among the authors were Moses, David, and Solomon, and also priests or Levites who were responsible for providing music for sanctuary worship during David's reign. Fifty of the psalms designate no specific person as author. The oldest psalm in the collection is probably Psalm 90, the prayer of Moses and the latest psalm is
probably 137, a song of mourning written when the Israelites were being held captive.

The book of Psalms is a compilation of prayers, poems, and hymns that focus on praising and adoring God. Some were used in worship services of ancient Israel. According to Talmudic tradition, psalms were sung by the Levites immediately after the daily pouring of the wine offering.

The word Psalm comes from the Greek word psalmoi meaning pious songs. The Hebrew title is Tehilim which means “hymns of praise”.

The New Testament illustrates virtually the whole history of salvation in the light of the Psalms.

Jesus is the Son of God: Psalm 2:7, 22:10:

7 I will proclaim the LORD’s decree: He said to me, “You are my son; today I have become your father.
10 From birth I was cast on you; from my mother’s womb you have been my God.

Jesus is the Shepherd: Psalm 23:

1 The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Jesus spoke in parables: Psalm 78:2:

2 I will open my mouth with a parable; I will utter hidden things, things from of old—

Jesus calmed the storm: Psalm 89:9:

9 You rule over the surging sea; when its waves mount up, you still them.

Jesus was rejected: Psalm 69:8, 20:

8 I am a foreigner to my own family, a stranger to my own mother’s children;20 Scorn has broken my heart and has left me helpless;
I looked for sympathy, but there was none, for comforters, but I found none.

Jesus was conspired against: Psalm 31:13:

13 For I hear many whispering, “Terror on every side!”
They conspire against me and plot to take my life.

Jesus was betrayed by Judas: Psalm 41:9, 55: 12 – 14:

9 Even my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread, has turned against me.
12 If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it;
if a foe were rising against me,  I could hide.
13 But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend,
14 with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship at the house of God, as we walked about among the worshipers. 

More next Wednesday in part 2.