Background
This is another Psalm that has an acrostic, where a Hebrew letter is used to begin a verse. It is a regular acrostic, so that each of the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet is set in order and begins one or more verses.
When Sherry and I visited Israel, we stood by the Jordan River perhaps near the place where Jesus was baptized by his cousin John. Just as Jesus was a prophet “like unto” the Prophet Moses (Acts 3:22; 7:37), John was a prophet like the Prophet Elijah. John’s coming was predicted by another prophet, Malachi.
Background
This Psalm is a beautiful contrast between the Messiah (who is upright and reverent to God), and natural men (who follow their own devices and plans).
Background
This Psalm shows that God answers the prayer of the godly, His Messiah. Jesus Christ went to his Father as his “hiding place” Who would “preserve me from trouble” and “compass me about with songs of deliverance” (verses 6,7). God continually instructed and taught Jesus Christ “in the way which thou shalt go” (verse 8) and encircled His Son with grace (verse 10).
On the road again! We’ll be taking a shortcut from the time of Jesus’ birth directly to his family’s trip to Jerusalem when he was twelve years old. If you’d like to see what happened from just before his birth to his move to Nazareth as a young child, you can read Moving to a New Home.
Background
This Psalm includes the Messiah’s final words in his earthly ministry: “Into thine hand I commit my spirit” (verse 5) as fulfilled by Jesus Christ in Luke 23:46. This is a Psalm of great joy and deliverance, for despite the enemy’s many attacks, the Messiah trusts in the Lord Who delivers him from every reproach and adversity. Jesus Christ knew that his times were in his Father’s hand (verse 15).
Background
The title of this Psalm includes: “A Psalm and Song at the dedication of the house of David.” This refers to David’s own house, not the Temple.
Background
This Psalm praises God for His mighty strength, power, and glory as the Creator. Jesus Christ glorified his Father, and taught others to do the same (Matthew 5:16; John 12:28; 13:32; 16:14; 17:1,5).
Background
Like so many other of David’s Psalms, this Psalm shows the Messiah’s trust in the Lord’s strength to give him victory. The Lord is his strength and shield, “the saving strength of his anointed” (verses 7,8).
Continuing to follow the True and Living Way through the gospels, we come across these significant prophecies about our Lord Jesus Christ around the time of his birth. Let’s sit awhile and contemplate each occasion, considering the influence on those who initially received these words, and then how they speak to us today about him whom we love.