JESUS CHRIST IN THE BOOK OF PSALMS - INTRODUCTION W/Psalms 1-9
JESUS CHRIST IN THE BOOK OF PSALMS
Introduction and Psalms 1-9
Tuesday Morning Bible Study
July 29, 2025, the Year of Our Lord
Pastor Carolyn Sissom
In our study of Jesus Christ in the Old Testament, we concluded the seventeen historical books. I should say 15 of the historical books since we are going to circle back to 1 and 11 Chronicles at a future date. Also, I should clarify that we barely touched the depth, height, and width of the many revelations of Jesus Christ in those fifteen books.
Last week we did an overview of Job, one of the five books categorized as poetical. The five poetical books are Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and The Song of Solomon. The 5 Poetical Books are not the only poetry in the Old Testament. There are stretches of unexcellable poetry in the writings of the prophets, but these five are distinctly the Poetic group.
In the first five books (Genesis to Deuteronomy), we saw Israel’s preparation to occupy Canaan. In the remaining nine, (Joshua to II Chron.) covers Israel’s occupation of Canaan, ending with the nation’s failure and exile. In the remaining three (Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther), only a very small remnant is in the land.
The five poetical books collectively express a spiritual progress. In Job we saw death of the self-life. Through the fires of affliction and a new vision of God, Job is brought to the end of himself and into the blessings of God.
Next in Psalms, we see the New Life in God expressing itself in praise, prayer, adoration, supplication, intercession, faith, hope love, fear, joy, song, and sigh.
For my own spiritual journey, I can say I prayed the Bible through from places of deep pain and sorrow from the realm of the soul/self-life to the realm of the Spirit-led life of living in the Spirit. I certainly can’t take a victory lap for walking out all that is written of mankind’s human experiences written in the Bible, but like you, by the power and love of Jesus Christ, I am making it through.
1. The first step in the spiritual life is to abhor one’s badness and goodness.
2. The second is to live by the faith and energy of the Son of God.
3. The third is the subjection of the will to Christ, the Wisdom of God.
4. The fourth is deliverance from the spirit of this present world.
5. The fifth is the joy unspeakable of union and companionship with Christ.
The Psalms have many obvious Messianic themes. But overall, there is an aspiration and desire for communion with God which is provided by Jesus Christ.
Job cried out for a mediator who could plead his case with God and unfold the mystery of his calamities. Last Sunday in our message from Galatians, Chapter 3, Paul revealed to us Jesus Christ, our mediator between God and man bringing us into the very presence of God (Gal. 3:19-20; 1 Ti. 2:5; Heb. 8:6;16;24)).
Saints of the Old Testament and the New Testament times used the psalms in worship. It was the hymnal of the Jewish people and is our prayer and praise manual for this day.
We will be using the Psalms today as Prayer, Intercession and Warfare.
I am not qualified nor is it my intent to break down the Hebrew parallelism of rhyme in the Psalms with either rhyme or metric of our poetry. I salute musicians who can put the psalms to music.
David wrote 75 of the Psalms. Asaph wrote 12. The sons of Korah wrote 12. Solomon wrote 2. Moses wrote 1. Heman wrote 1. Ethan wrote 1.
Asaph was David’s Levitical choir director. The sons of Korah were a Levitical family of singers. Ethan was a court musician.
The Septuagint attributes 3 of the Psalms to Isaiah, two to Jeremiah, and 3 to Haggai and Zechariah.
Due to the variety of authors, the time period ranges from the time of Moses to the time of Ezra (over 1000 years).
Purpose:
1. To preserve in poetic, form (worship) the fundamental doctrines of God and man, and their relationship in creation and redemption.
2. To show the blessed state of the righteous in their praise and worship of God, and the judgment of the unrighteous who reject God and His Grace.
3. To present the proper attitudes and methods of the worship of God in Spirit and in Truth.
4. To reveal the Lord Jesus Christ and his brethren. Lk. 24:44: He (Jesus) said to them, This is what I told you while I was still with you; Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.
The Book of Psalms in divided into five books.
1. Psalms about man and creation (1-41) – written by David.
2. Psalms about Israel and redemption (42-72) – mostly by David.
3. Psalms about worship and the temple (73-89)
4. Psalms about our pilgrim walk upon the earth (90-106)
5. Psalms about praise and the Word of God (107-150)
The Psalms are a ‘complete Bible” in themselves. Possibly every subject that pertains to God and Man in Creation and Redemption’s plan is referred to in its great themes. The Messianic Psalms portray the whole life story of the Lord Jesus Christ from His pre-existence to His eternal throne. The Book is perhaps the most Messianic book in the Old Testament.
It is recorded that Jesus preached from the Psalms 13 times. The Psalms are quoted in the New Testament 116 times.
I thought to give an overview of the Psalms, but as I study them, I have decided to spend some time on each one. There are prayers, supplication, and warfare that I need to apply not only in my own life, but over the nation and nations. So, we may stay in the Psalms for about three weeks. We will see how it flows.
PSALM 1: Blessed Is the Man
Psalm 1 has been called the Psalm of the Holy of Holies. It is a text for the entire book and a guide for the believer. It begins with “Blessed is the man.” In Psalm 1, is the whole program of God. The blessed man is the New Man, Jesus, the head and we His Body. This Psalm is a panorama that consummates in Rev. 22. The Tree of Life is a symbol of appropriating Divine Life. The River of Life is a symbol of releasing Divine Life. The ungodly man is the man of sin and perdition (2 Thess. 2). The New Man is alive forevermore and the Old Man is dead.
This is the Psalm of two ways and reveals the two men seen all through the Word: Godly seed and serpent seed. It reveals covenants, one from Sinai and the other from Zion. The Psalm reveals the corporate son of God and the corporate son of Satan. Law and Grace. Death and Life. Darkness which is ignorance, and Light which is understanding. The passing and the permanent. That which falls and that which stands.
PSALM 2: Why do the Heathen Rage?
Comparing Psalm 2 with Psalm 1, we see the King in Zion and the wicked broken as well as blown away. This is the Psalm of the Lord and His anointed. The Greek for Christ is Christos and means the anointed one. The anointed One of the New Testament is both Head (Jesus) and Body (His church), the called-out ones. These called out ones are described in Revelation 5: 9-10: They sung a new song, saying You are worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof…
Ps. 2 finds its fulfillment in King Jesus. The psalmist opened with a description of the nations in opposition to Jehovah and His King. Yet this Anointed One has been appointed, and this One declares in power the decree of His Kingship. He will have dominion over all these nations! The Psalm closes with an appeal to these Kings and judges to show their wisdom by submitting themselves to Jehovah’s King, the Son of the Father.
The Lordship of Jesus Christ is challenged in this Psalm as the kings and rulers take counsel together against the LORD AND against His Anointed. This is the spirit of antichrist which opposes His Word, His Way, His Anointed, His Law, His Holy Spirit, and The Father.
Psalm 3: How Many Are They That Trouble Me?
This is a Psalm of David when he fled from Absalom, his son. It is known as The Morning Hymn. The Morning Song is the song of a soul in grave peril as a new day dawns. The consciousness of difficulty is first uttered. Mocking adversaries have increased. Then follows the language of encouragement. Jehovah has sustained him. Out of this is seen arising the prayer of salvation with the conviction that Jehovah has already heard and answered. So, did the Lord Jesus pray Heb. 5:7: During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.
Psalm 4 – Hear Me When I Call.
This is the evening hymn or the Song of the Evening that accompanies the Morning Psalm. The general circumstances out of which the prayer rises are the same as those of Psalm 3. The evidence of strain is apparent, and yet the dominant thought is of victory won and confidence increased. The opening petition and testimony merges into an appeal to those who do not know Jehovah. The song ends with words of deep contentment. This is thus the psalm of sustaining Faith. This is a Psalm of petition which is concerned with an inward peace in a distressing situation. “Peace Be still!” is the theme. “I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep; for you LORD, only make me dwell in safety.”
Psalm 5 – Give Ear to My Words
This is another song of the morning. “in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee and will look up.” It could be called the Psalm of the Clouded Dawn. The circumstances of this Psalm differs from Psalm three. He is not now fleeing from his enemies, but he is in peril from the schemes of those who are secretly lying in wait for him. He expresses his confidence of God’s attitude toward evil and wickedness. He prays for divine guidance which should be the intent of all our praying, “Lead me O Lord.” He prays God will defeat his enemies and vindicate the righteous. For you LORD, will bless the righteous, with favor will you compass him as with a shield.
Psalm 6 – O LORD Rebuke me Not…
This is the cry of a broken hear in sorrow and humiliation. (Upon Sheminity means the eighth and may refer to an octave below the bass, or an instrument with 8 strings, 8th mode, anew day or a new beginning).
This is a complete or perfect repentance unto full salvation. It is a cry for deliverance from the pain and sorrow and chastisement of a man’s sin, rather than from the sin itself which causes it. The first seven verses are full pf the misery of the man. But the true note of repentance is not to be heard here. The supreme desire is to escape from the suffering and sorrow. Not withstanding the shallowness of the sense of sin, the fact of the recognition of the hand of Jehovah seems to be enough, and in answering pity and power, the deliverance and the consolation are granted. This would reveal the early or beginning stages of true repentance. This would be called the Psalm of Prayer and Tears. Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity; for the LORD has heard the voice of my weeping…the LORD will receive my prayer.
(We can decree Psalm 7 today against Hamas and the war in Ukraine as well as the corruption of the Obama administration now being exposed.)
Psalm 7 – O LORD my GOD--- SAVE ME!
O Jehovah, Elohim, in you do I put my trust, save me!
Cush the Benjamite has threatened David. Cush means “fire like, burned, black, blackened, combustible, Ethiopia.” Davd describes him in verse 2 (Save me) Lest he tear my soul like a lion, rending it in pieces, while there is none to deliver.
This is entitled Shiggaion of David which means a loud cry in danger or joy. It is from Sha‘ag which means “roar.”
This is a prayer of protection whether from slander, violence, or cruelty of any kind. He cries to Jehovah to protect him, “Arise, O LORD, in thine anger, lift up yourself because of the rage of my enemies, and awake for me to the judgment that you have commanded.” (Vs. 10) My defense is of God, which saves the upright in heart.
The Psalm deals a death blow to the blackness of the beast nature, He made a pit and dug it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made.
The “LORD MOST HIGH” (Elyon”) is revealed in verse 17. This is the principle of the Most Holy Place and the Most High saints. He is the God of the Melchisedec Priesthood. Therefore, the dealing here in this Psalm is part of the Baptism of Fire of this Third Dimension (Third Heaven Authority). It could also indicate David’s rise to the throne with his Third anointing of 2 Sam. 5:3.
7:17: I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness; and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high.
David’s prayer broke through to the Third Heaven. We are dealing with the Beast nature of sin, violence, lawlessness, etc. in our nation. Let us pray this prayer over the Beast nature.
7: 12-17: If he (Cush) turns not, He (God) will whet his sword, he has bent his bow, and made it ready. He has also prepared for him the instruments of death; he ordains his arrows against the persecutors. Behold, he (Cush) travails with iniquity, and has conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood. He made a pit and dug it and is fallen into the ditch which he made. His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate. I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness; and will sing praise to the name of the LORD MOST HIGH,
Psalm 8 – O LORD our LORD, How Excellent Is your Name in All the Earth.
O Jehovah our Adonai, how excellent (majestic and glorious is your name). The majesty of your name fills the whole earth.
Upon Gittith means “Gath or winepresses” and relates to the Harvest of the Feast of Tabernacles in the 7th month. Gittith could also refer to the musical instrument common among the Gittites. David resided among them for some time. This is one of the three Psalms for the Feast of Tabernacles and reveals truths of the Most Holy Place.
In Psalm 8, we see the Messianic projection of the advancement and exaltation of Jesus Christ and His brethren as in Heb. 2: 6-13. This has been called the Psalm of Man, the Crown of Creation.
The word “excellent” also reveals the principle of “The More Excellent Ministry” of Jesus and His brethren. This is that new man in the throne with a ministry of the creative, spoken word in the areas of forgiveness and blessing (the word and ministry of reconciliation) which flows from the mercy seat (throne of Grace) in the Most Holy Place.
This great song of worship opens and closes with the same words. O LORD our Lord, how excellent is your name in all the earth!
Psalm 9 – I will Praise Thee, O LORD
In Psalm 9, King David has experienced a great victory. He is giving thanks to God for His justice. This is the Psalm of the Conqueror (Overcomer, Victor) who is giving thanks for his victories. It is a Song of Triumph and reveals Jesus Christ in the midst of the church as he ever gives thanks to the Father. The singer rejoices in the exercise of Jehovah’s sovereign rule in the whole earth. The wicked are obviously the heathen nations as well as the challengers. David had to protect his throne from within his family as well as his court.
Psa. 9:1-4: I will praise You, O LORD, with my whole heart. I will tell of all Your marvelous works. I will be glad and rejoice in You. I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High. When my enemies turn back, they shall fall and perish at Your presence. For You have maintained my right and my cause. You sat on the throne judging in righteousness. You have rebuked the nations. You have destroyed the wicked. You have blotted out their name forever and ever.
David’s confidence is in who Yahweh is: He is King forever; Judge of the world; Protector of the oppressed; Avenger of blood; Protector of the needy; and rules in justice.
Psa. 9: 6-8: O’ enemy, destructions are finished forever! You have destroyed (taken) cities; even their memory has perished. But the LORD shall endure forever. He has prepared His throne for judgment. He shall judge the world in righteousness. He shall administer judgment for the peoples in uprightness.
“Thine is the Kingdom O LORD.” Thy Kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.
O’ Lord your anointed rulers are given divine empowerment to execute justice and judgment. Lord Jesus you are that King, ruler over all the nations of the earth.
9:9-10: The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. Those who know Your name will put their trust in You. For You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.
9:16-20: The LORD is known by the judgment He executes. The wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. The wicked shall be turned into hell, AND all the nations that forget God. The needy shall not always be forgotten. The expectation of the poor shall not perish forever. Arise, O’ LORD, do not let man prevail. Let the nations be judged in Your sight. Put them in fear, O’ LORD that the nations may know themselves to be but men. (Selah).
David’s cry is like ours for God to take drastic action on behalf of the weak and under-privileged and to bring justice against the wicked.
This is almost exclusively a song of Thanksgiving and should be our thanksgiving as we are seeing the LORD answer our prayers for our nation by restoring justice for the righteous and judgment on the wicked.
Lord JESUS, we cry for the wars to end.
Humble Thyself in the sight of the Lord
Humble Thyself in the sight of the Lord
And He shall lift you up
Higher and Higher and He shall lift you up,
Up into heaven and He shall lift you up. (Maranatha)
Carolyn Sissom, Pastor
Eastgate Ministries Church, 10115 West Hidden Lakes Lane, Richmond, TX.
Scripture from K.J.V. I entered into the Labors of Principles of present Truth by Kelly Varner. Comments and conclusions are my own and not meant to reflect the views of those who I entered into their labors.