Christ Through The Bible- Psalms

Text:  Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. ² But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in his law doth he meditate day and night. Ps. 1:1-2

As we look at Christ as found in the Psalms, the book starts with a blessing for those who delight in the law o the LORD.  I was privileged to have had some of the most exceptional Bible teachers while in seminary.  I also was fortunate to have heard some great preachers of the Gospel.  One such preacher was Joshua Stauffer.  He did a series of messages on the Cross, the Crook, and the Crown.  This series was one of the best insights I have heard on the 22^nd, 23^rd, and 24^th Psalms.  This morning I will share the gest of his message.  But before I get into the message, I want to share some things about the Psalms that you may find interesting.

The book of Psalms is the longest book of the Bible, with 150 “chapters”—more properly called “psalms” or “songs.” Psalms is divided into five books:

Book 1: Psalms 1—41-            Genesis

Book 2: Psalms 42—72           Exodus

Book 3: Psalms 73—89           Leviticus

Book 4: Psalm 90—106           Numbers

Book 5: Psalm 107—150         Deuteronomy

The division of the Psalms is not based on authorship or chronology, as several authors composed Psalms, and their individual songs are mixed throughout the various collections.

David is listed as the author of 73 psalms, Asaph of 12, and the sons of Korah of 11. Other psalms were written by Solomon, Heman the Ezrahite, Ethan the Ezrahite, and Moses (Psalm 90).

It is most likely that Ezra and/or other Jewish religious leaders compiled the Psalms into their existing order during Ezra’s lifetime in the fourth century BC. Interestingly, the Psalms was one of the most popular writings among the Dead Sea Scrolls, with thirty scrolls of all or parts of the book included. Overall, Psalms is the book of the Old Testament with the most Hebrew manuscripts available for research, indicating its enduring popularity among both Jews and Christians.

Each of these five books or sections of Psalms ends with a doxology or a song of praise. The final verse of each concluding psalm includes either “Praise the Lord!” or “Amen.” For example, the final verse of Psalm 41 ends this way: “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, / from everlasting to everlasting. / Amen and Amen.” Psalm 150, the final Psalm, serves as the fitting final doxology, concluding with the words, “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. / Praise the Lord.”

The Cross, The Crook, And the Crown

The Trilogy Psalms (22, 23 and 24) are rich in their prophetic and practical teachings. They are rich because they are full of Christ and the Gospel. These three Psalms can be studied from many standpoints, giving us different views of Christ and of Christian experience.  Also, the 23^rd Psalms contains the various names of the LORD in each verse.

 Standpoint of Prophecy

Psalm twenty-two is a prophecy of the Crucifixion. It begins with the cry of Calvary, "My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?" Crucifixion, as a method of execution, was unknown at this time; yet in a vision, David sees the Redeemer nailed to the cross, His hand and feet pierced, dying a vicarious death.

Psalm twenty-three, is a prophecy of the Resurrection of Christ. In order, it follows Psalm 22; and the prophecy follows that of the previous Psalm, even as the resurrection follows the crucifixion. Taken as a whole, we see Christ resurrected, living, satisfied, upheld by the Father and forever dwelling in His house.

Psalms twenty-four is a prophecy of the Ascension of Christ. The ascension logically follows the resurrection. This Psalm speaks of ascending into the hill of the Lord. The question, Who can ascend into heaven? is answered, and no one fits the description as well as the Lord Jesus. He is first in resurrection, first in ascension, and first in glorification. He is the first Man to ascend into the presence of the Father. He challenges the door keepers of heaven to open, and, as the King of Glory, Who had been mighty and victorious in fine battle of grace, and as the mighty Champion Who triumphed over everything, enters as the God-Man into the presence of the Father.

A Threefold View of Christ- Savior, Shepherd, King

In Psalm 22, Christ is pictured as the Savior of all men. As such He suffers the penalty for sin, taking all sins upon Himself taking the place of all sinners. As Savior, He cannot save both Himself and others. As the Savior, He must take our place to make it possible for man to take His place; He must become poor, that we through His poverty might become rich; He must become a curse to redeem us from the curse; He must become the despised, hated and rejected One, that we may become the beloved and accepted ones.

In Psalm 23, Christ is presented as the Shepherd. As the Shepherd of His sheep, He provides for their needs. He includes rest, guidance and food for His sheep. He selects their pasture. His presence is ever with them. He leads them through valleys and trials. He leads them into heaven, where they will forever dwell with Him.

In Psalm 24, Christ is presented as King. He is Creator and Redeemer. He is Possessor of the earth and its fullness. He is the legal Heir to this earth. The earth belongs to Him by creation and also by redemption. No one is better qualified, as to right and might, to be King, than He.

The Work of the Shepherd

Psalm 22. The Good Shepherd gives His life for the sheep. All who have been born again, as sons of God are His sheep. No one is better qualified to be the Shepherd than Christ. No one loves, cares and shelters from storms, wolves, and thieves, better than He. In this Psalm, we see Jesus, the Good Shepherd, laying down His life for the sheep.

Psalm 23. In this Psalm, we see Christ as the Great Shepherd tenderly caring for, and leading His sheep into the promised land.

Psalm 24. This is the Psalm of the Chief Shepherd coming in glory to claim and reward His sheep. This will be at His advent when the saints of all ages will be gathered from the east, the west, the north and the south.

Geographical Standpoint

Psalm 22. This is the Psalm of Calvary. The hill of execution was outside the walls of Jerusalem and was called in the Greek, Calvary. This name has became an inspiration today in song and in sermon. This name is associated only with the death of Christ.

Psalm 23. This is the Psalm of Canaan. In this Psalm, we read of rivers, waters, tender grass, valleys, shady places, and comforts. Canaan was the excellent land of hills and valleys, of springs and fountains, wheat and barley, figs and dates.

Psalm 24. This is the Psalm of Olivet. On this mount, Christ stood when He blessed and comforted His believers -- then He ascended. This also will be the spot where His feet shall stand at His second advent. This same Jesus shall came in like manner as He went; and shall come to the same place from whence He ascended.

God's View of Christ

Psalm 22. The Shepherd in the Night. God beholds His beloved Son in the dark world of sin, misery, and woe. He sees Him wandering in the dark, with bleeding hands and feet, and a broken heart seeking the lost.

Psalm 23. The Shepherd in the Fold. God beholds His Son, risen, changed and beyond the state where unbelieving eyes see or plot against Him, where no sinner or demon can touch or tempt Him. He is alive for evermore.

Psalm 24. The Shepherd in Glory. He is the Creator and Redeemer of the Earth. In this Psalm, the Son is in the presence, yea, seated at the Father's right hand. He is there awaiting the fullness of time when the Father will make His enemies His footstool.

Standpoint of Christian Experience

Psalm 22. This Psalm teaches Regeneration. The death of Christ makes possible the regeneration of sinners. In order, this work precedes all others.

Psalm 23. This is the Psalm of Sanctification. Thins work of grace follows regeneration. Jesus is Savior of the regenerated, and Lord of the Sanctified. No man can say that Jesus is Lord but by the Holy Ghost.

Psalm 24. This is the Psalm of Glorification. Glorification will be experienced at the second advent of the Lord. As regeneration prepares the believer for sanctification, so sanctification qualifies the believer for glorification.

Standpoint of Practical Living

The twenty-second Psalm is that of the Cross. The cross is not a spiritual luxury. The cross is a crude looking instrument on which to die. Christ died upon a cross. Believers are commanded to take up their cross and follow Christ. The cross of a believer is not the cross on which Christ died; but as Paul speaks, "a dying daily." The believer must daily live a life of separation from sin. The way of the cross is antagonistic to the ways of the world.

The twenty-third is the Psalm of the Crook. A crook is a rod with a hook on one end. The shepherd used this rod during the daytime to rescue sheep; to draw them back from a precipice, or as need demanded. The crook is for believers after they are saved, and is only for this life.

The twenty-fourth is the Psalm of the Crown. The divine order is the cross, the crook, the crown. Man cannot reverse this order. No cross -- no crown. Many want to wear a crown, yet they do not want to bear the cross. The cross is for this life; the crown is for the next life. The cross is made to bear; the crown is made to wear. If faithful, some day, we shall lay down the crass and the Lord will place on us the crown. The cross is only for time, but the crown is for eternity. When the Lord returns in glory, the believers will be crowned. Then we shall never get through wearing the crown, nor will it ever wear out. God's Yesterday, Today And Forever.

Psalm 22. This is the Psalm of God's yesterday. God fills all time even as He fills all space. "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever." God never changes. He is what He always has been and what He always will be. This Psalm beautifully illustrates the love of God and the redemption that has been accomplished for man, or what God has been, and has done for His people.

Psalm 23. This is the Psalm of God's today. Here we learn what the Lord, the Good Shepherd, is to His sheep. Even now, the Lord's sheep can enjoy perfect satisfaction, rest, food, quietness, guidance, restoration, fellowship, and joy. This Psalm peculiarly fits the present life.

Psalm 24. This is the Psalm of God's forever. Here we learn what is awaiting the sheep who have followed the Lord, those who have clean hands and pure hearts. These will enter inside the pearly gates with the Lord of hosts to abide forever in His presence.

While it is true that Psalms 22, 23 and 24, in a remarkable manner reveal what the Lord has done in the past, what He is doing in the present, and what He will do in the future for His people; they also reveal the Yesterday, the Today and the Forever of Jesus Christ, Who never changes, but ever is the same. At the same time, each of these Psalms has a future -- a point beyond the present. There is no end or limit to the blessed results of the death of Christ, the resurrection of Christ, or the Ascension of Christ; neither will there be an end to the blessed results of His second coming in power and great glory.

Have you committed your life to the Shepherd?  Are you safe in the fold?  You can have the peace and assurance that comes from allowing the Great Shepherd to guide your life.