The Psalms: Christ-Centered

As I delve deeper into the Book of Psalms, I understand how many of its verses cry out and yearn for a future wholeness. Through lamenting, praising, and worship, there exists a hope for God's people. For the early church, the Psalms served as a songbook that conveyed a new truth in Jesus Christ.

The Psalter identifies an incompleteness in David’s line while the grand theme of a future King and fulfillment persists. Psalm 2:7, for instance, declares this hope in a coming Messiah as it states, “I will surely tell of the decree of the LORD: He said to Me, ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.” The phrase “I have begotten You” describes privileges of a relationship and is also prophetic of the coming Messiah. The verse is quoted in the New Testament concerning Christ’s birth (Hebrews 1:5) and His resurrection (Acts 13:33). Amazingly, there are at least twenty direct Messianic prophesies in the Book of Psalms that are fulfilled in the New Testament.

As such, the Psalms echo within the New Testament in various ways. In Luke 13:27, Jesus states, “Depart from me, all you workers of evil.” Christ seems to be identifying with Psalm 6:8, as it also puts forth this imperative. Additionally, the suffering King in Psalm 16 is confident that God will raise him from the dead. Peter quotes this Psalm at length on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:25-28), and Paul utilizes a shorter section in Acts 13:35. These are just several examples among many incredible connections.

Indeed, it is not by coincidence that the New Testament quotes the Psalms more than any other book in the Old Testament. Like the fabric of all Scripture, the Psalms call out Christ in God’s redemptive plan! Praise God for His Word!

---

Psalm 2 (Legacy Standard Bible)

The Reign of Yahweh’s Anointed

Why do the nations rage

And the peoples meditate on a vain thing?

The kings of the earth take their stand

And the rulers take counsel together

Against Yahweh and against His Anointed, saying,

“Let us tear their fetters apart

And cast away their cords from us!”

He who sits in the heavens laughs,

The Lord mocks them.

Then He speaks to them in His anger

And terrifies them in His fury, saying,

“But as for Me, I have installed My King

Upon Zion, My holy mountain.” 

“I will surely tell of the decree of Yahweh:

He said to Me, ‘You are My Son,

Today I have begotten You.

Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance,

And the ends of the earth as Your possession. 

You shall break them with a rod of iron,

You shall shatter them like a potter’s vessel.’”

So now, O kings, show insight;

Take warning, O judges of the earth.

Serve Yahweh with fear

And rejoice with trembling.

Kiss the Son, lest He become angry, and you perish in the way,

For His wrath may soon be kindled.

How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!