Most biographies are written after the subject has died. Or, in the case of an autobiography, it is written towards the end of the person’s life. However, the uniqueness of the Lord Jesus is such that His biography was written before He was born in Bethlehem of Judea. Of the countless references to Christ in the Old Testament, the Messianic Psalms, written 1,000 years prior to His birth, contain some of the clearest and most moving.
The Messianic Psalms are of particular interest regarding Christ’s work on Calvary, detailed in Psalm 22 and Psalm 69. If the gospels furnish for us the facts of the crucifixion, these psalms allow us to enter in a small measure into the feelings of the crucified One!
How do we know they are Messianic?
It is important to present biblical proof that these psalms really do speak of Messiah, and that such an understanding is not merely the fruit of our fanciful imagination. In Luke 24:44, the Lord Jesus Himself, now risen from the dead, tells His disciples, “All things must be fulfilled, which were written in the Law of Moses, and in the Prophets, and in the Psalms concerning Me.” And then we read, “Thus opened He their understanding, that they might understand the Scriptures.” It is quite clear then that a true interpretation of the Old Testament in general, and the Psalms in particular, is Christological.
The New Testament writers, no doubt giving us what the Lord delivered to them in that upper room and what He later revealed to Paul, quoted frequently from the Old Testament concerning Christ. To this end, the Psalms were quoted by them extensively, the Epistle to the Hebrews being an outstanding example of this practice.
The value of such a series to the church
It is always valuable to get the saints “looking unto Jesus” (Heb. 12:1), and these psalms will certainly cause the believers to fall further in love with the One who is altogether lovely. They will also prove helpful as a stimulus to worship as the saints gather to remember Him in the breaking of bread. When we begin to enter in to the feelings of the Saviour, the exorbitant cost of our salvation will fill our hearts with wonder and adoration. Finally, when the Scriptures are under such attack as they are today, a series such as this will help settle the heart of the child of God, filling him with awe at how beautifully the Old and New Testaments harmonize. Fulfilled prophecy is one of the strongest evidences we have of the truth of the divine inspiration of Holy Scripture. These psalms furnish amazing proof of both the inspiration of Scripture and the rightful Messiahship of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving details of his birth, life, character, ministry, death, resurrection, and ascension. How could men like David know these things? How could they describe details of execution by crucifixion, when the Romans would not invent it for several hundred years more? There is only one logical explanation: the inspiration of the Scriptures by the Spirit of God! Holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
Preaching suggestions
I have never seen it done, but have often thought it would be interesting to combine a series on the Levitical offerings with the Messianic Psalms, and especially those psalms which parallel the offerings (see chart below for details).
Alternatively, it would be a profitable series for an assembly to work through at the mid-week ministry meeting, taking a separate psalm each week.
Another fascinating study is the use of the Messianic Psalms in the preaching of the apostles as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles, especially relating to the resurrection from the dead.
Helpful commentaries on the Messianic Psalms
The Messianic Psalms by T. Ernest Wilson, published by Gospel Folio Press. This is a classic and a wonderful resource. It should be in every serious Bible student’s library.
Psalms by W. Graham Scroggie, published by Fleming H. Revell. This is the result of tremendous research by this fine Scottish preacher, and well worth the investment.
Practical Reflections on the Psalms by John Nelson Darby, published by Morrish. Darby is not the easiest to read, but this volume contains some treasures and is well worth the work. Look on it as mining for gems.
The Treasury of David by C.H. Spurgeon, published by Hendrickson. Considered to be Spurgeon’s finest work, it contains excerpts from other commentaries by Spurgeon’s contemporaries, and those who had written on the Psalms prior to his day. The reader should be aware that he was not dispensational, although he was a historical pre-millennialist.
Meditations in the Book of Psalms by E. C. Olsen, published by Loizeaux Brothers. Nice overall treatment, although somewhat brief in places.
Exploring the Psalms by John Phillips, published by Loizeaux Brothers and Kregel. Exhaustive treatment with interesting alliterated outlines.
What the Bible Teaches: Psalms by Jim Flanigan, published by John Ritchie. Again another wonderful volume in this excellent series of commentaries. Highly recommended. Mr. Flanigan writes in a devotional style and is very much at home in the book of Psalms.