Lesson 25: Psalms

Some of you might be interested in further study in the Messianic prophecies in the the book of Psalms. Here is a copy of the handout:

1. Prophecies of the life and mission of Jesus Christ Found in Psalms

Many psalms prophesy of Christ’s mission as the Messiah. The resurrected Savior declared, “All things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me” (Luke 24:44). Discuss the fulfillment of a few of the following prophecies about Christ that are written in the book of Psalms:

Prophecy	Fulfillment
Psalm 107:23–30	Matthew 8:23–27. Jesus calmed the winds and the waves.
Psalm 69:8	John 1:11; 7:5. Jesus was not received by his own people.
Psalm 41:9; 55:12–14	John 13:18, 21. Jesus was betrayed by a friend.
Psalm 69:20	Mark 14:32–41. Jesus suffered alone in Gethsemane.
Psalm 22:7–8	Matthew 27:39–43. Jesus was mocked.
Psalm 22:16	Mark 15:25. Jesus was crucified.
Psalm 22:18	Matthew 27:35. The soldiers cast lots for Christ’s clothes.
Psalm 22:1	Matthew 27:46. Jesus asked the Father why he had forsaken him.
Psalm 69:21	John 19:28–30. Jesus was given vinegar for his thirst.
Psalm 34:20	John 19:33–36. None of Jesus’ bones was broken.
Psalm 31:5	Luke 23:46. Jesus commended his spirit to the Father and died.
Psalm 16:10	Acts 2:31–32; 13:34–35. The Savior’s flesh did not see corruption, being raised up in the Resurrection.

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Jesus Christ is the only person whose birth, life, death, and resurrection were prophesied before his birth. Why do you think such detailed prophecies were given about the Savior’s life? (These prophecies made it clear that Jesus was the promised Messiah, the Savior of the world.) How were these prophecies a blessing to those who received them? (The prophecies helped people learn of the Savior and gain testimonies of him even before he was born [see Mosiah 3:13]. The prophecies also helped some people recognize him when he came.)

Readings used in the lesson

Reading 1

 “…there is ample internal evidence that David, the great poet and musician of Israel, was the principal author of (Psalms).

1.    David’s name is famous in the Old Testament period for music and song.

2.    David was especially endowed by the Holy Spirit (I Sam. 23:1-2)

3.    David’s music and poetical gifts appear indelibly interwoven on the pages of Old Testament history.  He is called ‘the sweet psalmist of Israel’ (II Sam. 23:1)

4.    He was a skilled performer on the lyre (I Sam.16:6-18)

5.    He was the author of the masterful elegy written upon the death of Saul and Jonathan (II Sam. 1:19-27)

6.    He is referred to as a model poet-musician by the prophet, Amos (Amos 6:5)

7.    Most of the songs attributed to him reflect some period of his life

8.    Certain psalms are cited as Davidic in Scripture in general. For example, Acts 4:25-26 so cites Psalm 2. “   Unger,Bible Dictionary

 There are 283 citations from the Old Testament in the New Testament.

116 have been counted from this one book of Psalms.

 Reading 2

 Psalm 51 Verses 1-3, 9-12, 16-17

 Reading 3

“Music is part of the language of the Gods. It has been given to man so he can sing praises to the Lord.  It is a means of expressing, with poetic words and in melodious tunes, the deep feelings of rejoicing and thanksgiving found in the hearts of those who have testimonies of the divine Sonship and who know of the wonders and glories wrought for them by the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  Music is both in the voice and in the heart. Every true saint finds his heart full of songs of praise to his Maker.”   Old Testament Student Manual

 Reading 4

 Psalm 104:24       Psalm 136:3-9

 Reading 5

 Psalm 86:5, 13      Psalm 100:4-5

 Reading 6

 Psalm 19:7-11

 Reading 7

 Psalm 5:7

 Reading 8

 Psalm 18:2    Psalm 56:11