Jesus And The Book of Psalms
Prophecy, Prayer, and Praise
I recently had this vision or thought about Jesus reading the Book of Psalms. He is sitting at this table my grandparents used to own and is reading. Something about this image in my mind reminds me that the Book of Psalms is incredibly important, and I want to share that with you today.
In the New Testament, Jesus makes multiple allusions to the Book of Psalms, highlighting the importance of the Psalms in His teachings, petitions, and critical junctures in His mission. Jesus refers to the Psalms in the following noteworthy instances.
The Crucifixion
"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Psalm 22:1) is one of the most moving passages that Jesus quotes while hanging on the crucifixion.
This passage, found in Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34, emphasizes Jesus' intense agony, how prophecy is fulfilled, and how Jesus is identified with the suffering that the Psalm describes.
Jesus's Lordship
Jesus challenges the Pharisees' interpretation of the Messiah's lordship by bringing up Psalm 110:1.
In Matthew 22:44, Mark 12:36, and Luke 20:42–43, Jesus poses this question: "The Lord said to my Lord, 'Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.'"
This alludes to the divine nature of the Messiah and his everlasting priesthood.
The Stone That Was Rejected
When discussing His rejection and ultimate exaltation, Jesus quotes Psalm 118:22–23, saying, "The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes."
Despite being rejected by the leaders of His time, Jesus is highlighted as the cornerstone of God's redemptive plan in Matthew 21:42, Mark 12:10–11, and Luke 20:17.
The Divinity of Jesus
From Psalm 82:6, in John 10:34–36, Jesus discusses His claim to be the Son of God with the Jews, citing Psalm 82:6 ("I said, 'You are gods, sons of the Most High, all of you;'").
Using this Psalm, Jesus argues that if the Bible may refer to people who have divinely received the word of God, then it is acceptable for Him to refer to Himself as the Son of God—a title that the Father sanctified and sent into the world.
Prayer and Worship
Although not a direct citation, Jesus' use of Psalms in prayer, particularly during seclusion, is probably based on the Jewish custom of utilizing Psalms in private and public prayer.
Jesus' reliance on the Psalms as a source of spiritual life is evident in the Lord's Prayer, which mimics themes and structures found in them even though it does not directly quote them.
Final Thoughts on Jesus and the Book of Psalms
These examples demonstrate how Jesus utilized the Psalms to teach about His identity and mission, communicate His feelings, and fulfill prophecy.
Using these allusions, Jesus highlights the continuity and accomplishment of God's redemptive purpose and links His ministry and message to the larger story of God's activity throughout history as told in the Scriptures.
And if you want to dive into the Psalms more, check out the series I have started on Medium with an introduction to the Book of Psalms!
J.R. Heimbigner is a #1 Bestselling Author on Amazon who writes about faith and writing books. He has self-published 3 bible study devotionals on Amazon, check them out below:
I have developed a new appreciation for the book of Psalms this past year. We can learn so much about the characteristics of God, prophecies about Jesus, and human emotion.