The Book of Psalms: Their Prophetic Character

Psalm  •  2 min. read  •  grade level: 14
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While heartily accepting the statement that the Psalms are rich and full in unfolding experiences common to the redeemed of all ages, and abounding in expressions of personal piety and confidence in God which any saint might truthfully adopt, yet the reader of the Psalms will search in vain for truth, experiences, and ways characteristically christian. A purged conscience (Hebrews 10), eternal life (John 5), eternal redemption (Hebrews 9), a heavenly position (Ephesians 1), divine righteousness for standing (Romans 3) and God’s glory the Christian’s hope (Romans 5) are truths which were utterly unknown to saints of old, and consequently unrevealed in the pages of the Old Testament.
The Psalms treat of the government of God on earth: neither heaven nor heavenly hopes are therein disclosed. They directly apply to Israel and to the Messiah’s identification with the godly part of the nations who will morally represent the people before God confessing the national guilt (Acts 7:51-5351Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. 52Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which showed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers: 53Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it. (Acts 7:51‑53)) and suffering governmentally the displeasure of Jehovah.
The latter-day circumstances of Israel’s history previous to her final blessing by the advent of the Messiah are not here prophetically unfolded as they are in the books of the prophets, but the moral character of these days and circumstances, with the feelings, hopes, joys, fears and state of soul of the remnant or godly are here laid bare by the Spirit of God. Now in all the past and future sorrow of Israel Christ had His part: “in all their afflictions He was afflicted” (Isaiah 63:99In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old. (Isaiah 63:9)). It is this latter consideration which demands for the study of the Psalms Scriptural intelligence as to the respective hopes of Israel—which are earthly, and of the church which are heavenly. In the epistles we are regarded as identified with Christ in heaven, but in the Psalms Christ is regarded as identified with the godly Jew on earth.
For a due apprehension of the Psalms in their prophetic character, and for the application of each Psalm or part of one to Israel, or Messiah, or even to both, and that even in the same verse, careful handling and accurate reading in the presence of God are absolutely essential. But when thus read, what treasures they unfold! What a moral commentary on the government of God on earth, and on His ways toward Jew and Gentile! How holy the lessons to us! How profitable the teachings to our souls! (To be continued.)