The psalms are a collection of poems and hymns that express the religious feelings of Jews throughout different periods of history. Several psalms are considered messianic, meaning they contain prophecies or allusions to the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ.
Here are some of the key psalms that predict and point to Jesus as the promised Messiah:
Psalm 2
Psalm 2 is a royal psalm that celebrates God’s king who will rule over all nations. It prophesies the rebellion of the nations against God’s anointed king, but declares that God will establish him as king despite this opposition (Psalm 2:1-6). This points to Jesus, who is the Son of God and Messianic King that was rejected by many, crucified, and then established by God as Lord through his resurrection and ascension (Acts 13:33).
Specific verses in Psalm 2 that predict Christ include:
- “I have installed my king on Zion, my holy mountain” (v.6) – God installing Jesus as King
- “You are my son; today I have become your father” (v.7) – Jesus as the Son of God
- “Kiss his son, or he will be angry and your way will lead to your destruction” (v.12) – Jesus, the Son to be worshipped
Psalm 16
Psalm 16 expresses trust in God’s protection and care. More specifically, verse 10 contains a prophecy about the resurrection of the Messiah: “because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay.” (Psalm 16:10). The apostle Peter interprets this psalm as a direct prophecy of Jesus’ resurrection (Acts 2:25-28). Jesus was faithful and obedient to God until his sacrificial death, but was resurrected and did not decay in the grave.
Psalm 22
Psalm 22 depicts great suffering at the hands of one’s enemies, which includes several details that align with Christ’s crucifixion. Consider these parallels between Psalm 22 and Jesus’ crucifixion:
- “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (v.1; cf. Matthew 27:46)
- “All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads” (v.7; cf. Matthew 27:39)
- “They pierce my hands and my feet” (v.16)
- “They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment” (v.18; cf. John 19:23-24)
Because of these specific prophetic details, Psalm 22 is often called the Crucifixion Psalm.
Psalm 110
Psalm 110 declares that a future king will sit at God’s right hand and judge the nations. The New Testament frequently interprets this psalm as a prophecy of Christ’s authority and exaltation after his resurrection (Matthew 22:44, Acts 2:34-35). As the one seated at the right hand of God, Jesus reigns and intercedes for believers.
Specific verses in Psalm 110 that point to Christ include:
- “The LORD says to my lord: ‘Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.'” (v.1)
- “The LORD has sworn and will not change his mind: ‘You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.'” (v.4)
Psalm 118
Psalm 118 was one of the Hallel psalms (Psalms 113-118) that was sung at Jewish festivals. It begins and ends with thanksgiving to God for his steadfast love and salvation. Specific prophetic points about Jesus include:
- “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone” (v.22; cf. Luke 20:17)
- “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord” (v.26; cf. Matthew 21:9)
Jesus quoted and applied Psalm 118:22-23 to himself to indicate he was the cornerstone rejected by the Jewish leaders that would become the foundation of the church (Matthew 21:42). When Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, the crowds also quoted Psalm 118:26 in reference to Jesus as the Messiah sent by God.
Psalm 132
Psalm 132 recalls God’s promises to David about an everlasting kingdom and dynasty. It contains several connections to the Messiah’s identity and ministry:
- “The LORD has chosen Zion, he has desired it for his dwelling, saying, ‘This is my resting place for ever and ever; here I will sit enthroned, for I have desired it'” (vv.13-14)
- “Here I will make a horn grow for David and set up a lamp for my anointed one. I will clothe his enemies with shame, but his head will be adorned with a radiant crown.” (vv.17-18)
As the descendant of David, Jesus fulfills these promises about an eternal kingdom and dynasty. God has enthroned Jesus, the anointed one, as eternal king in Zion.
Other Psalms that predict Christ
Beyond these major messianic psalms, there are many other psalms that contain allusions or details related to Jesus Christ. Here are some additional examples:
- Psalm 8:4-6 – Jesus as the Son of Man
- Psalm 41:9 – Judas’ betrayal of Jesus
- Psalm 69:9 – Jesus’ zeal for God’s house that led to his crucifixion
- Psalm 78:1-2 – Jesus as teacher with parables
- Psalm 102 – Jesus as creator of the heavens and earth
While the psalms were originally written to express the feelings and experiences of ancient Israelites, the New Testament authors recognized many parallels and prophecies related to the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. As we read these ancient hymns today, we can continue to gain insight into how the entire Old Testament story points to and finds fulfillment in Jesus, the promised Messiah.