Psalm 22:1-18, Psalm 110:1-4, Luke 24:44
Psalms That Reach Beyond Their Author
The Psalms are primarily songs of prayer, praise, and lament — written from within the experience of Israel's kings, priests, and worshippers. But several Psalms contain language that reaches beyond anything an earthly king could fulfil, language that the New Testament consistently applies to Jesus.
Jesus Himself set the pattern: after the resurrection He explained to the disciples "everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled." (Luke 24:44). The Psalms, as much as the prophets, bear witness to Christ.
The Major Messianic Psalms
Psalm 2 — The Enthroned King. "You are my Son; today I have begotten you." (2:7). The raging of nations against God's anointed, the decree of divine Sonship, the promise of the nations as His inheritance. Quoted at Jesus' baptism (Matthew 3:17), transfiguration, and throughout the New Testament in reference to His resurrection and exaltation (Acts 13:33, Hebrews 1:5).
Psalm 22 — The Forsaken One. "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (22:1) — the cry Jesus quoted from the cross (Matthew 27:46). The Psalm continues with details that map precisely onto the crucifixion: "All who see me mock me... they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots." (22:7, 18). Written a thousand years before crucifixion was even invented as a form of execution.
Psalm 16 — The One Who Does Not See Corruption. "You will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption." (16:10). Peter's Pentecost sermon identifies this as fulfilled in the resurrection — David's body decayed, but Jesus' did not (Acts 2:27-31).
Psalm 110 — The Priest-King. "The Lord says to my Lord: 'Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.' " (110:1). The most quoted Old Testament verse in the New Testament. Jesus uses it to confound the Pharisees (Matthew 22:44); Peter uses it at Pentecost (Acts 2:34-35); Hebrews uses it to establish Jesus as the eternal high priest after the order of Melchizedek (Hebrews 5:6, 7:17).
Psalm 69 — The Zeal That Consumes. "Zeal for your house will consume me." (69:9) — quoted in John 2:17 at the cleansing of the temple. The Psalm's suffering also echoes the passion narrative.