Songs of Salvation: Discovering the Gospel in the Psalms

Bible Passages: Psalm 51:1-3; 32:1-2; 22:16-18; 110:1-2; 150:1-2,6

Summary: The Psalms are a profound collection of songs that encapsulate the human experience while pointing towards the hope and salvation found in Jesus Christ. Each Psalm resonates with themes of despair, longing, and ultimately redemption, reflecting the Gospel message throughout their verses.

Application: This sermon will help Christians recognize that their struggles are not unique and that God has provided a way through those struggles via the fulfillment of the Gospel. It offers them comfort and reassurance as they see their experiences mirrored in the Psalms and points them to Jesus as their ultimate source of hope and salvation.

How this passage could point to Christ: In the context of the Bible as a whole, the Psalms contribute to the narrative of Christ by illustrating the human condition and God's redemptive plan. For instance, Psalms such as 22 and 110 allude to Christ's suffering and kingship, respectively, reinforcing the understanding that the Psalmists were inspired to write songs that would ultimately connect to Jesus.

Big Idea: The Gospel, woven through the Psalms, reveals God's heart for His people and His desire to restore in the face of their struggles, reaffirming that true solace is found in Christ alone.

Introduction

For the past year, as a church, we have been walking through the Psalms together. Week after week, we’ve opened this inspired songbook and heard God speak through laments, praises, confessions, and prayers. We’ve exposited different psalms one at a time, seeking to let God’s Word set the agenda for us.

But as I spoke recently with our lead pastor, Pastor John, we reflected on the importance of not only preaching psalms expositionally but also taking time for topical sermons — messages that trace a theme through Scripture. And with an open week in the preaching schedule, I felt led to bring a message on one of the most important themes we could ever consider: the gospel message in the Psalms.

To ground our study, I want us to first hear the words of Jesus in Luke 24:44–47 Please stand, if your able for the reading of God’s word:

English Standard Version Chapter 24

44 Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, 46 and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47 and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.

Prayer:

Lord, we thank for words in your Scriptures. They remind us that the entire Scriptures are a redemptive story that testifies about the work of Jesus. His suffering, resurrection and the forgiveness of our sins are proclaimed not only in the gospels, but in the entire Old Testament and New. Lord, we ask that you open our hearts as we hear this gospel message through these poetic books. We ask this is Jesus mighty name, Amen.

i. Hook:

This passage gives us our authority to see the gospel in the Psalms. The risen Christ Himself tells us that the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms all testify about Him — His suffering, His resurrection, and the forgiveness of sins proclaimed in His name. That means when we open the Psalms, we are not just reading Israel’s ancient prayers, but we are hearing the good news of salvation in Christ.

So before we walk through five psalms together, let’s pause and ask: What do we mean when we say “the gospel message”?

The gospel is the good news that the eternal, holy, and righteous God, in His sovereign love, acted in history to save sinners through His Son, Jesus Christ. Though we were created to glorify God and enjoy Him forever, we rebelled against Him. Our sin brought guilt, corruption, and condemnation, separating us from God and leaving us under His just wrath.

But in His grace, God sent His only Son into the world. Jesus lived the perfect, obedient life that we failed to live. On the cross He bore our sins in His body, suffering the judgment we deserve. He died the cursed death in our place, and on the third day He rose again in power, conquering sin, death, and hell.

Now, through repentance and faith in Him, sinners are forgiven of their sins, declared righteous in God’s sight, reconciled to God, adopted into His family, and given the hope of eternal life. This is not earned by works, but received as the free gift of God’s grace in Christ.

That is the gospel — the good news of what God has done for us in Jesus. And this good news is what we will see proclaimed and anticipated in the Psalms.

If the gospel is the good news of what God has done to save sinners, then we have to begin where the gospel begins — with the bad news of our sin. And nowhere is that reality more honestly confessed than in Psalm 51.

1. Conviction of Sin

Psalm 51:1–3 “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.”

i. Explanation:

Psalm 51 is David’s prayer after being confronted by Nathan the prophet for his adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband. These opening verses reveal the heart of true repentance. Notice where David begins: not with excuses, not with comparisons, not with promises to do better — but with an appeal to God’s mercy. He confesses, “I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.” David is painfully aware of his guilt, and he casts himself completely on the steadfast love of God.

ii. Argumentation:

Here we see that conviction of sin is not optional; it is essential to the gospel. If we don’t see our sin, we won’t see our need for grace. Scripture teaches us that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). Conviction is not simply feeling bad — it is recognizing that our sin is ultimately against God Himself, a holy and righteous Judge.

John Murray once said that sin is so serious it makes forgiveness “absolutely necessary.” In other words, because sin is real and weighty, it cannot be brushed aside or treated lightly. It must be answered. That’s why David doesn’t ask for a second chance or try to clean himself up — he pleads, “Have mercy on me, O God.”

This is terrifying. It confronts our sinfulness and shows us that this in not just braking a moral code or an injustice. Rather, it is a rebellion against the God who created us and cannot be satisfied by any of your feeble attempts. So, David, when confronted, immediately asks for mercy.

iii. Illustration:

Imagine a doctor who discovers a deadly infection in your body. He gives you a written diagnosis. This diagnosis is serious. It’s grave. How will you respond to this diagnosis? God’s Word acts like a spiritual diagnosis. It exposes what we cannot see on our own. Conviction is painful, but it is God’s mercy — because until we know we are sick, we will not seek the cure.

iv. Application:

Psalm 51 confronts us with a question: Do we take our sin this seriously? Or do we excuse it, minimize it, or hide it? True conviction is not about wallowing in guilt but about running to the only One who can cleanse us. David appeals to God’s steadfast love and abundant mercy, and so must we. Have you confessed your sin honestly before God? Have you cried out with David, “Wash me, cleanse me, blot out my transgressions”? Conviction of sin is the doorway to forgiveness and restoration.

But conviction is not the end of the gospel story. The same God who convicts us of sin also provides the blessing of forgiveness. And that is exactly what we find in our next psalm, Psalm 32.

2. Justification and Forgiveness

Psalm 32:1–2 “Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.”

i. Explanation:

Psalm 32 is a psalm of David that celebrates the joy of forgiveness. After the conviction of sin in Psalm 51, here we see the relief and freedom that comes when guilt is lifted. Notice the words David uses: forgiven, covered, not counted. Each phrase shows us the richness of God’s pardon. To be forgiven means the debt is cancelled. To be covered means the shame of sin is hidden from God’s sight. To have sin not counted means God no longer reckons it against us. David begins by declaring such a person “blessed” — truly happy, truly free.

ii. Argumentation:

The apostle Paul quotes this very psalm in Romans 4 to explain the doctrine of justification by faith. Paul shows that David’s words describe not just a passing feeling of relief but a legal declaration: God no longer counts our sin against us because He counts Christ’s righteousness for us.

John Murray put it simply: “Grace indeed reigns but a grace reigning apart from righteousness is not only not actual; it is inconceivable.” (p. 11) In other words, forgiveness is not God pretending our sin doesn’t exist. It is God dealing with our sin righteously through the obedience, death, and resurrection of Christ. That’s why justification and forgiveness always go together. God removes our sin, and He credits to us the perfect righteousness of His Son.

iii. Illustration:

Imagine standing in a courtroom guilty of a long list of crimes. The evidence is undeniable. The sentence is about to be read. But then the judge not only cancels the charges but also hands you a certificate declaring you innocent and in perfect standing with the law. That’s more than pardon — that’s justification. And that is the blessing David speaks of here.

iv. Application:

Psalm 32 confronts us with this truth: real blessedness does not come from possessions, comfort, or success. It comes from knowing that your sins are forgiven and your standing before God is secure. Do you know that joy? Have you experienced the freedom of sins forgiven? Believer, rejoice — God will never count your sin against you. Unbeliever, turn to Christ in faith and receive this blessedness today.

But forgiveness and justification come at a great cost. David knew the blessing, but he did not yet see the price. Psalm 22 takes us to the heart of the gospel — the atonement through the suffering King.

3. Atonement Through the Suffering King

Psalm 22:16–18 “For dogs encompass me; a company of evildoers encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet— I can count all my bones— they stare and gloat over me; they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.”

i. Explanation:

Psalm 22 begins with the anguished cry, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” and continues with vivid descriptions of suffering and humiliation. In verses 16–18, the psalmist describes being surrounded by enemies, pierced in his hands and feet, exposed in weakness, mocked, and stripped of his clothing. Written centuries before the crucifixion, these words paint an unmistakable picture of Christ’s suffering on the cross. The Gospel writers directly connect these verses to Jesus’ crucifixion — the casting of lots, the piercing of His body, the scorn of the crowd.

ii. Argumentation:

Here we see the heart of the gospel: atonement through substitution. Christ, the innocent King, suffers in the place of guilty sinners. The imagery of Psalm 22 shows not just physical pain but divine abandonment — the curse of sin falling upon Him.

This suffering was not optional or accidental. As John Murray argues, “The reality and gravity of sin make effective expiation indispensable.” (p. 10) In other words, because sin is real and God is holy, the cross was not one possible way among many — it was the only way salvation could be accomplished. That’s why Jesus had to be pierced, mocked, and abandoned. Only His blood could satisfy the justice of God and secure redemption for His people.

iii. Illustration:

Think of a soldier stepping onto a landmine to shield his comrades. The explosion tears him apart, but those behind him live because he absorbed the blast. That’s just a faint shadow of what Christ did on the cross. He stood in our place, bore the curse of our sin, and took the judgment of God so that we might live.

iv. Application:

Psalm 22 forces us to reckon with the cost of our salvation. Do you see in these verses what it took to forgive your sin? Every lash, every nail, every mocking voice — all of it was endured for you. The Son of God willingly bore the curse so that you might be redeemed. This should humble our pride, deepen our gratitude, and ignite our worship.

But Psalm 22 does not end in despair. The suffering King becomes the risen and reigning King. Psalm 110 shows us the next stage of the gospel — the exaltation of Christ as King and Priest forever.

4. Exaltation and Priestly Reign

Psalm 110:1–5 “The Lord says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.” The Lord sends forth from Zion your mighty scepter. Rule in the midst of your enemies! Your people will offer themselves freely on the day of your power, in holy garments; from the womb of the morning, the dew of your youth will be yours. The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, “You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.” The Lord is at your right hand; he will shatter kings on the day of his wrath.”

i. Explanation:

Psalm 110 is the most quoted psalm in the New Testament. Here David, under the Spirit’s inspiration, describes a figure greater than himself — “my Lord” who is invited to sit at God’s right hand. This is the language of enthronement, authority, and victory. In verse 2, this Lord wields a mighty scepter, ruling even while enemies remain. Later in the psalm, He is also called a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek (v.4). Together, these images reveal the Messiah as both King and Priest — exalted to reign and to intercede.

ii. Argumentation:

The New Testament repeatedly identifies Jesus as the fulfillment of this psalm. Peter cites it at Pentecost (Acts 2:34–36) to prove that God has made Jesus both Lord and Christ. The author of Hebrews draws on verse 4 to show that Jesus is the eternal High Priest whose sacrifice is once for all.

This shows us the next movement of the gospel: the suffering Christ of Psalm 22 is now the exalted Christ of Psalm 110. His resurrection and ascension prove His victory over sin and death, and His enthronement guarantees His present reign. John Murray reminds us that forgiveness and justification flow from Christ’s perfect righteousness and priestly work — only a divine-human mediator could secure our adoption into God’s family. Christ reigns not just as King over all creation but as Priest who ever lives to intercede for His people.

iii. Illustration:

Think of the difference between a general who wins a decisive battle and a king who then ascends the throne. The general secures victory, but the king rules with authority and ensures peace for his people. Christ is both: the victorious warrior of the cross and the exalted King-Priest on the throne.

iv. Application:

Psalm 110 confronts us with a choice: we either submit joyfully to Christ’s reign, or we remain among His enemies who will one day be made His footstool. But for those who trust in Him, this psalm is full of comfort. Your King rules over all. Your Priest intercedes for you continually. Your salvation is secure because He reigns and prays for you even now.

And where does all this lead? Conviction, forgiveness, atonement, and exaltation bring us to the final crescendo of the Psalter: unending praise. Psalm 150 calls all creation to lift its voice to the Lord.

5. Consummation and Eternal Praise

Psalm 150:1–2 “Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens! Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness!”

i. Explanation:

The Psalter ends in a crescendo. After laments, confessions, cries for deliverance, and shouts of thanksgiving, it closes with a universal summons: “Praise the LORD!” Psalm 150 is short, only six verses, but it repeats that command thirteen times. Praise fills heaven and earth, and the final verse extends the call to “everything that has breath.” Here the story of redemption reaches its goal — not merely forgiveness, not only reconciliation, but worship. The people of God and all creation are summoned to glorify Him forever.

ii. Argumentation:

This shows us the consummation of the gospel. Every stage we have traced — conviction of sin (Psalm 51), forgiveness and justification (Psalm 32), atonement through the cross (Psalm 22), Christ’s exaltation (Psalm 110) — all of it leads here: eternal praise. God saves sinners not just to spare them from judgment but to bring them into joyful worship. As Paul writes in Ephesians 1, He saves us “to the praise of His glorious grace.”

The costliness of the cross assures us of the greatness of God’s love. If salvation came at such a price, then praise is not optional — it is the only fitting response. Heaven will resound with this psalm, because the redeemed will never tire of praising the One who loved them and gave Himself for them.

iii. Illustration:

Think of the finale of a great symphony. Throughout the piece, there are quiet movements, minor keys, moments of tension. But in the end, everything resolves in a triumphant finale that fills the hall with sound. The Psalter works the same way. It begins with the blessing of the righteous man in Psalm 1, travels through valleys of sorrow and heights of joy, and ends with the thunderous call: “Let everything that has breath praise the LORD!”

iv. Application:

This psalm calls us to examine our own lives. Are they marked by praise? Do we live as those who have been saved to worship? Eternal life is not just endless existence — it is endless praise. And if heaven will be filled with this chorus forever, then let us join it now. Let our homes, our work, our conversations, and our worship resound with “Praise the LORD!”

We have walked through five psalms that trace the gospel story — from the depths of conviction to the heights of eternal praise. Now we must ask: how will we respond to this gospel in our own lives?

6. Conclusion

i. Visualization

We began this morning with the words of the risen Christ in Luke 24:44–47, where He declared that the Psalms point to His suffering, His resurrection, and the forgiveness of sins proclaimed in His name. And as we have traced the gospel through the Psalms, we’ve seen exactly that.

ii. Reiteration

In Psalm 51, we saw the conviction of sin — the recognition that our guilt is against God Himself and our only hope is His mercy.

In Psalm 32, we discovered the blessing of justification and forgiveness — the joy of sins forgiven and righteousness credited apart from works.

In Psalm 22, we stood at the foot of the cross and watched the Suffering King bear our curse, pierced and mocked, so that we might be redeemed.

In Psalm 110, we lifted our eyes to the throne, where the risen Christ now reigns as King and Priest, ruling over all and interceding for His people.

And in Psalm 150, we heard the final crescendo of eternal praise, when everything that has breath will glorify the Lord forever.

iii. Action This is the gospel in the Psalms: conviction, forgiveness, redemption, justification, reconciliation, adoption, and praise — all fulfilled in Christ.

So the question is: how will you respond? The Psalms do not allow us to remain neutral. You are either hiding your sin or confessing it. You are either trusting in your own works or resting in Christ’s righteousness. You are either resisting His reign or bowing before Him in glad submission.

But here is the good news: the same Christ who fulfilled the Psalms offers Himself to you today. He bore the cross, He rose from the grave, He reigns from the throne, and He calls you to repent and believe. If you will turn from your sin and trust in Him, you will know the blessedness of forgiveness, the joy of justification, the security of adoption, and the hope of eternal praise.

Church, let us lift our voices and our lives in response: “Let everything that has breath praise the LORD!”

Prayer 1

Gracious Father, we thank You for the good news of salvation revealed in Your Word and fulfilled in Your Son, Jesus Christ. Thank You that though our sins are many, Your mercy is greater. Thank You for the cross, where Jesus bore our curse, and for the empty tomb, where He triumphed over death. Thank You that in Him we are forgiven, justified, reconciled, adopted, and called to eternal praise.

Benediction

May the Lord, who has forgiven us through Jesus Christ, fill your hearts with peace and joy.

May you go out knowing that your sins are covered, that you belong to Him, and that His Spirit goes with you.

And may your life this week be filled with praise, so that with every breath you take, you bring glory to His name.

Amen.