Seeing Christ

In the book of Psalms we find the substance of other books in the Bible. We learn of God’s creating work in Psalm 19 and 24. We recount the great Exodus from Egypt in Psalms 87, 105, 106, and 114. God sends Moses, Aaron, and the plagues in Psalm 106: 26. In Psalm 29 we read of the Tabernacle and the Priesthood; the doings of Joshua of Nun in Psalm 105; the Psalmist has the Kings in mind in Psalm 20: 7 when he writes,

‘some boast in chariots, and some in horses; But we will boast in the name of the LORD, our God.’

Ezra and the return from exile in Psalms 122 and 126. So we see that many of the subjects of the Biblical books are found within the Psalms. And we can see Christ…

If one searches diligently, one may also find a vivid picture of Jesus- the Son of God, the Messiah- within the beauty and richness of the Psalms. Of the coming of the Savior, Psalm 50 and Psalm 118: 25-26. That He who comes is Himself the Fathers Word; Psalm 107:20-21. And this same Word made all things: Psalm 33:6-7. That none would be ignorant of His coming: Psalm 45:6-7. That He should become flesh and come as a man: Psalm 87: 5…and born of woman. The words of Psalm 45:10-11 reminds us of Gabriel’s address to Mary the mother of Christ. The only difference being that Gabriel addresses Mary by the epitaphs ‘favored one’ as he is of a different race, while David speaks of his ‘daughter’ because from him Mary would be born.

Having shown in the Psalms that Christ would come in human form, we see how he suffered in the flesh. Psalm 2:1-2, the Jews plot against Him. In Psalm 22:11-18 the Savior describes the manner of His death. Psalms 69 and 89 tells us that He suffered these things not for His sake, but for ours…Ps. 69 says,

“the insults of those who insult You have fallen upon Me”

He suffered for us; He bore in Himself the wrath meant for you and for me. For,

‘He came to restore that which He did not steal’

We sing of the salvation afforded us through Christ’s suffering. And in Psalm 72:12-14 we think upon the hope of the bodily resurrection. The Psalter foretells of Christ’s ascension into heaven (Psalm 24:9-10 and 41:5); His reign at the Father’s right hand (Psalm 110:1); and the coming destruction of the wicked (Psalm 9:5). That He should receive all judgment from the Father, the Psalter does not hide but shows Him to be the universal judge of all: Psalms 72:1-2 and Psalm 50:4.

Finally, the call of the gentile, the message of peace to the nations can be heard in these same Psalms. Psalm 47:1-2 and again in Psalm 72:9-11. And so we sing one last Psalm which,

Praises the LORD who was foretold,
The LORD who became flesh,
The LORD who was crushed for our iniquities...

So that all the nations and peoples of the earth might praise and enjoy Him forever. For without this Christ our hearts are empty and without a song to joyfully sing!

Psalm 117 1 Praise the LORD, all nations! Extol him, all peoples! 2For great is his steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD!

Inspired and adapted from St. Athanasius’ letter to Marcellus.