Seeing the Savior in the Psalms

Scripture Reading for Mike

Psalm 23

1  The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2  He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:

He leadeth me beside the still waters.

3  He restoreth my soul:

He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

4  Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil: for thou art with me;

Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5  Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:

Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:

And I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Ps 23:1–6). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

Don’t you love that Psalm? Even those who are not Christian recognize the peace, comfort, and promise contained in the 23rd Psalm. Today’s sermon is titled Seeing the Savior in the Psalms. We will do this through three different perspectives - Surface Focus, Deeper Focus, and Changed Focus.

First, let’s open our Bibles to Luke Chapter 24. We will read verses 25 through 27 and 44 through 47.

This was to the disciples on the road to Emmaus.

English Standard Version Chapter 24

25 And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

This was to the disciples in the upper room.

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.

The Scriptures Jesus Knew

The passages we read from Luke both reference the Old Testament. During Jesus’ time and prior to the New Testament writings Holy Scripture was the Old Testament. Jesus was clear that scripture was the Word of God and that scripture pointed to him but he was specifically referencing the OT.

When the apostles and others wrote the Gospels and their Letters they used the OT. When preaching, teaching, exhorting, evangelizing, or otherwise telling people about Jesus they used the OT.

Surface Focus

How many of us here remember Highlights magazine? One of my favorite things to do when I was younger was the hidden picture puzzle like the one shown on the TVs.

As you get older, you find out the pictures you are looking for are not that hard to find. All it takes is what I call a surface focus. (Point out example if the pictures allow.)

So too, we can find the Savior in the Psalms with just a surface focus. Psalms is the book most referenced in the New Testament. The New Testament contains over 400 allusions and direct quotations of Psalms. It is also the most quoted OT book in the NT with slightly more than 100 direct quotes.

Let’s look at an example of an Allusion .That’s Allusion with an ‘A’ not Illusion with an ‘I’.

Old Testament Quotations and Allusions in the New Testament Psalm 4

Psalm 4:4

4Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah

Ephesians 4:26

26Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger,

While the two verses state similar messages you can see that the verse in Ephesians is not really a direct quote of the verse in Psalms. That is the major difference between an allusion and a quote.

Now let’s quickly look at a two passages from Psalms that are quoted in more than one place in the New Testament. These quotes, as well as many of the others, concern Jesus’ role as Savior and Lord.

Old Testament Quotations and Allusions in the New Testament Psalm 2

Psalm 2:7

7I will tell of the decree: The LORD said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you.

English Standard Version Chapter 1

5 For to which of the angels did God ever say,

“You are my Son,

today I have begotten you”?

Or again,

“I will be to him a father,

and he shall be to me a son”?

English Standard Version Chapter 5

5 So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him,

“You are my Son,

today I have begotten you”;

6 as he says also in another place,

“You are a priest forever,

after the order of Melchizedek.”

Old Testament Quotations and Allusions in the New Testament Psalm 22

Psalm 22:1

1My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?

Matthew 27:46

46And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

Mark 15:34

34And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

This was quoted by Jesus himself as he was dying on the cross.

The reason I refer to these allusions and quotes as “Surface Focus” is because anyone with a good study Bible or cross-referenced Bible can discover these allusions and quotes in the New Testament. It takes some work but it is not difficult.

Deeper Focus

Moving from the Highlights “Surface Focus” how many of you still try the “Find the differences” puzzles like the one shown on the screen? Again, these are not super difficult but they require a different depth of focus and more effort on our part.

For our deeper focus we will look at the Psalms in the context of Jesus ‘ humanity. Personally, and I’m sure I’m not the only one, I have more problem thinking about Jesus’ humanity than I do his divinity. As a fallen, broken human I do not fully understand either but it seems to be simpler for me to think of Jesus as God because that is outside of me. It’s much harder to think of him as human because I am human and I know what I’m like. We will never fully understand his divinity or his humanity while we are in this world.

For Example - Psalm 1

English Standard Version (Psalm 1)

1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,nor stands in the way of sinners,nor sits in the seat of scoffers;

2  but his delight is in the law of the LORD,and on his law he meditates day and night.

3  He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season,and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.

Psalm 24

English Standard Version (Psalm 24)

1  The earth is the LORD’s and the fullness thereof,the world and those who dwell therein,

2  for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers.

3  Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD?And who shall stand in his holy place?

4  He who has clean hands and a pure heart,who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully.

5  He will receive blessing from the LORD and righteousness from the God of his salvation.

6  Such is the generation of those who seek him,who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Selah

English Standard Version Psalm 119

119  Blessed are those whose way is blameless,

who walk in the law of the LORD!

2  Blessed are those who keep his testimonies,

who seek him with their whole heart,

3  who also do no wrong,

but walk in his ways!

4  You have commanded your precepts

to be kept diligently.

To whom do these Psalms truly apply? David? You? Me? When we read these Psalms, we understand that they do apply to us but in a way that we will never attain in this life. To us, they are a goal. When we read these Psalms with Jesus in mind, we understand that he is the only person in history who never walked in the way of the wicked. The only one who has clean hands and a pure heart. They apply to him in a way they do not apply to us. These are not the only examples but they make the point.

Another type of deeper focus is looking at the emotional content of the Psalms.

John Calvin says, - “I have been accustomed to call this book, I think not inappropriately, An Anatomy of the Soul; for there is not an emotion of which anyone can be conscious that is not here represented as in a mirror. Or rather, the Holy Spirit has here drawn to the life all the griefs, sorrows, fears, doubts, hopes, cares, perplexities, in short, all the distracting emotions with which the minds of men are wont to be agitated. .”

As we consider the emotions portrayed in the Psalms we often, and rightfully, link them to our lives and ourselves. But we change our focus when we learn to link those emotions to Jesus.

As part of his humanity, Jesus felt emotion. Scripture tells us that Jesus felt compassion, was angry, got indignant, and was consumed with zeal; he was troubled , greatly distressed, very sorrowful, depressed, deeply moved, and grieved; he sighed; he wept and sobbed; he groaned; he was in agony; he was surprised and amazed; he rejoiced very greatly and was full of joy; he greatly desired and he loved. All of these emotions, and more, can be found in the Psalms. (https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/1997/february3/7t2042.html)

For example, Psalm 42:5 “Why are you cast down, O my soul. and why are you in turmoil within me.”

Psalm 69:9 “Zeal for your house has consumed me.”

Psalm 18:1 “I love you, O Lord, my strength.”

Because of his humanity Jesus knows us and our emotions far better than we. When he is joyful it is with a joy untainted by the thought of “the other shoe dropping.” When he praises it is praise free from “I hope I’m doing this right.” When he was sorrowful or despairing it was pure emotion not weighed down with “Why me?” When he loved is was never demeaned by thoughts of, “Please love me back!” or “I will love you as long as you do this or don’t do that.”

Our understanding of Scripture tells us Jesus is both fully human and fully God. And I do mean FULLY human, not FALLEN human. Jesus is the only person in history to be fully human because he is not stained by sin. Jesus is the only human in history to follow, worship, and obey God perfectly. Jesus is the only human in history to never give in to the temptation of worshipping at the altar of that unholy trinity: Me, Myself, and I.

Change in Focus

And now, the change in focus. Some of us remember when Magic Eyes were printed in the Sunday comics. If you look at the TVs all you might see is a mess of different colored dots. However, if you change the focus of your eyes in just the right way you can see a 3d image floating in the picture. I have more fun with these things than you can imagine.

A passage from Martin Luther’s Introduction to the Psalms is a perfect description of a changed focus. -

“But the Psalms are especially dear and valuable from their detailing to us, so clearly and prophetically, the death and resurrection of Christ; and so declaring his kingdom, and the state and spirit of Christianity, that they may be fairly called a little Bible, in which everything that is in the whole Bible is contained in a beautiful and compendious manner; and they may be considered, therefore, a preparatory vade mecum or hand-book to it. It would seem to me as if the Holy Ghost had inspired the composer with the idea of a small Bible, or of an epitome of Christianity and godly men, so that those who have not the means of reading the whole Bible may find the summary and sense condensed in a small volume.”

According to Luther, the Psalms can be considered a “small Bible.” We know the Psalms are poetry and not history, but they contain historical references. They are not prophecy, but they contain prophetic passages. They are not wisdom literature, but you can find wisdom in them. They don’t specifically reference the Gospel, but you can find the Gospel in them.

Mike read Psalm 23 earlier. Turn to Psalm 22 and listen as I read.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (1 Co 13:12). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

English Standard Version Psalm 22

22 TO THE CHOIRMASTER: ACCORDING TO THE DOE OF THE DAWN. A PSALM OF DAVID.

1  My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?

2  O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer,

and by night, but I find no rest.

3  Yet you are holy,

enthroned on the praises of Israel.

4  In you our fathers trusted;

they trusted, and you delivered them.

5  To you they cried and were rescued;

in you they trusted and were not put to shame.

6  But I am a worm and not a man,

scorned by mankind and despised by the people.

7  All who see me mock me;

they make mouths at me; they wag their heads;

8  “He trusts in the LORD; let him deliver him;

let him rescue him, for he delights in him!”

9  Yet you are he who took me from the womb;

you made me trust you at my mother’s breasts.

10  On you was I cast from my birth,

and from my mother’s womb you have been my God.

11  Be not far from me,

for trouble is near,

and there is none to help.

12  Many bulls encompass me;

strong bulls of Bashan surround me;

13  they open wide their mouths at me,

like a ravening and roaring lion.

14  I am poured out like water,

and all my bones are out of joint;

my heart is like wax;

it is melted within my breast;

15  my strength is dried up like a potsherd,

and my tongue sticks to my jaws;

you lay me in the dust of death.

16  For dogs encompass me;

a company of evildoers encircles me;

they have pierced my hands and feet—

17  I can count all my bones—

they stare and gloat over me;

18  they divide my garments among them,

and for my clothing they cast lots.

19  But you, O LORD, do not be far off!

O you my help, come quickly to my aid!

20  Deliver my soul from the sword,

my precious life from the power of the dog!

21  Save me from the mouth of the lion!

You have rescued me from the horns of the wild oxen!

22  I will tell of your name to my brothers;

in the midst of the congregation I will praise you:

23  You who fear the LORD, praise him!

All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him,

and stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel!

24  For he has not despised or abhorred

the affliction of the afflicted,

and he has not hidden his face from him,

but has heard, when he cried to him.

25  From you comes my praise in the great congregation;

my vows I will perform before those who fear him.

26  The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied;

those who seek him shall praise the LORD!

May your hearts live forever!

27  All the ends of the earth shall remember

and turn to the LORD,

and all the families of the nations

shall worship before you.

28  For kingship belongs to the LORD,

and he rules over the nations.

29  All the prosperous of the earth eat and worship;

before him shall bow all who go down to the dust,

even the one who could not keep himself alive.

30  Posterity shall serve him;

it shall be told of the Lord to the coming generation;

31  they shall come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn,

that he has done it.

Our Savior LIVED Psalm 22 because he IS Psalm 23. The Good shepherd came down from heaven, took on human flesh, lived among us, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. Three days later he rose again.

Conclusion

I hope when you read the Psalms in the future you learn to read them as they apply to us and as they apply to our Savior. You can find comfort in knowing that Jesus is closer to us than we are to ourselves. Part of what Paul says to us in 1 Corinthians 13 “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. “ gives us the hope and the promise that, at our resurrection, we too will know what it means to be fully human.

If you have never accepted his offer of life eternal with God today is the day to step up and accept. The Savior, hidden in the Old Testament, revealed in the New Testament, is waiting for you to become his co-heir, a child of God, to start on the road of becoming fully human rather than spending eternity as a fallen human. Please hear his call for “today is the day of salvation.”