Messianic Psalms

Acts 4:25-26
The kings of the earth take their stand
and the rulers gather together
against the Lordand against His Anointed One.’

Acts 13:33
He has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus. As it is written in the second Psalm:
‘You are My Son;
today I have become Your Father.’

Hebrews 1:5
For to which of the angels did God ever say:
“You are My Son;
today I have become Your Father”? Or again:
“I will be His Father,
and He will be My Son”?

Hebrews 5:5
So also Christ did not take upon Himself the glory of becoming a high priest, but He was called by the One who said to Him:
“You are My Son;
today I have become Your Father.”

Revelation 2:27
He will rule them with an iron scepter and shatter them like pottery—just as I have received authority from My Father.

Revelation 12:5
And she gave birth to a son, a male child, who will rule all the nations with an iron scepter. And her child was caught up to God and to His throne.

Revelation 19:15
And from His mouth proceeds a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and He will rule them with an iron scepter. He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.

1. What is the attitude of the nations toward the LORD and His Anointed in verses 1–3?
2. How does God respond to the rebellion in verses 4–6?
3. What does the LORD say about His Anointed in verses 7–9?
4. What imagery is used to describe the rule of the Messiah?
5. What command and warning are given to kings and rulers in verses 10–12?
6. How does Acts 4:25–28 interpret the rebellion in Psalm 2:1–2 in light of Jesus’ crucifixion?
7. According to Hebrews 1:5 and Acts 13:33, how is “You are my Son, today I have begotten you” fulfilled in Christ?
8. In what way is the promise of ruling with a rod of iron (Psalm 2:9) echoed in Revelation 19:15?
9. How does recognizing Christ as King affect how we respond to opposition in the world?
10. What does “kiss the Son” (v. 12) look like practically in the life of a disciple?

1. What contrast is drawn between God’s majesty and man’s smallness?
2. How is mankind described in relation to the created order?
3. What is meant by “you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings”?
4. What role does man play over creation?
5. What repeated phrase bookends the Psalm?
6. How does Hebrews 2:6–9 interpret Psalm 8 as being fulfilled in Jesus?
7. In what way does the dominion over creation point to Christ’s lordship?
8. How does the incarnation relate to “made a little lower than the angels”?
9. How does Psalm 8 shape your view of human responsibility?
10. What confidence does this Psalm give you in Christ’s authority over all things?

1. What kind of relationship does the psalmist have with the Lord?
2. How does the psalmist describe his inheritance?
3. What is said about death and the grave in verse 10?
4. What emotions and attitudes are expressed in verses 8–9?
5. What promise is given in verse 11?
6. How does Peter in Acts 2:25–31 use Psalm 16 to show Christ’s resurrection?
7. What does “You will not let your Holy One see corruption” imply about Jesus’ body?
8. How does Paul apply Psalm 16 in Acts 13:35–37?
9. What does it look like to set the Lord “always before” you (v. 8)?
10. How does the promise of resurrection shape your life?

1. What is the opening cry of the psalmist (v. 1)?
2. How does the psalmist describe his physical and emotional suffering?
3. What mockery does he receive from others?
4. What is the psalmist’s prayer in his suffering?
5. How is God’s past faithfulness contrasted with present distress?
6. How are verses 1, 7–8, and 16–18 fulfilled in the crucifixion of Jesus (cf. Matt 27:35–46; John 19:24)?
7. What does Jesus quoting verse 1 on the cross (Matt 27:46) reveal?
8. How does this Psalm deepen our understanding of Christ’s suffering and substitution?
9. How does this Psalm help you pray in times of intense pain or isolation?
10. How can you grow in trust when you don’t feel God’s presence?

1. What shift occurs in verse 22?
2. How does the psalmist describe God’s deliverance?
3. Who is called to praise the LORD?
4. What is the worldwide scope of the worship described?
5. How is God’s righteousness proclaimed to future generations?
6. How does Hebrews 2:12 quote Psalm 22:22 in reference to Jesus?
7. How does the resurrection of Christ make sense of the praise and deliverance in the second half of this Psalm?
8. In what way does Psalm 22 show both the suffering and the exaltation of Christ?
9. How does this Psalm teach you to worship in response to salvation?

1. What kind of deliverance does the psalmist describe?
2. What is said about God’s steadfast love and faithfulness?
3. What contrast is made between sacrifices and obedience?
4. What is the psalmist’s attitude toward proclaiming God’s works?
5. How does the psalm end?
6. How does Hebrews 10:5–10 quote Psalm 40:6–8 to explain Christ’s obedience?
7. What does it mean that “a body you have prepared for me”?
8. How does Jesus fulfill the idea of delighting to do God’s will?
9. What does it look like to live a life of obedience over ritual?
10. How can your testimony of deliverance proclaim God’s greatness?

1. Who is being described in verses 1–9?
2. What kind of imagery is used for this king?
3. How are his reign and righteousness portrayed?
4. What shift occurs in verse 10?
5. What promises are made to the bride?
6. How does Hebrews 1:8–9 apply Psalm 45:6–7 to Jesus?
7. What does this tell us about the deity of Christ?
8. How does this Psalm portray the relationship between Christ and the church (cf. Eph. 5:25–27)?
9. How should you respond to Christ as the royal bridegroom of the church?
10. What does it look like to “forget your people and your father’s house” (v. 10) for Jesus?

1. How is God’s covenant with David described in verses 1–4 and 19–37?
2. What is said about God’s faithfulness and power in creation?
3. What role does the “holy one” or “chosen one” play in this psalm?
4. How does the tone change in verses 38–45?
5. What is the psalmist’s final plea to God?
6. How does Luke 1:32–33 and Acts 13:22–23 present Jesus as the fulfillment of the Davidic covenant?
7. In what way does Psalm 89 help explain the tension between the promise to David and the apparent downfall of his line (v. 38–45)?
8. How does Jesus ultimately fulfill God’s covenant and reverse the shame in this psalm (cf. Rev 22:16)?
9. How do you maintain faith when God’s promises seem delayed?
10. How does Jesus give you confidence in God’s faithfulness to His covenant?

1. How does the psalmist describe his affliction and suffering?
2. What is said about God’s eternal nature in contrast to the psalmist’s frailty?
3. What hope does the psalmist express for Zion and future generations?
4. How is creation described in verses 25–26?
5. What promise concludes the psalm in verse 28?
6. How does Hebrews 1:10–12 quote Psalm 102:25–27 and apply it to Jesus?
7. What does this say about the divinity and eternality of Christ?
8. How does Jesus fulfill the hope for Zion and future generations mentioned in verses 13–22?
9. How does Christ’s unchanging nature provide stability in your life?
10. In what ways does Psalm 102 help you pray during temptation?

1. What declaration is made by the LORD to David’s Lord in verse 1?
2. How is the Messiah depicted as a priest and king?
3. What is the significance of the order of Melchizedek?
4. What imagery is used to describe the Messiah’s rule and victory?
5. How is judgment portrayed in verses 5–7?
6. How does Jesus use Psalm 110:1 to affirm His divine status in Matthew 22:41–46?
7. How does Hebrews 5:6 and 7:17 explain Christ’s priesthood in the order of Melchizedek?
8. Which verse of Psalm 110 quoted the most in the NT? Why might that be?
9. What does it mean to submit to Jesus as both your King and Priest?
10. How does Christ’s eternal priesthood give you confidence in your salvation and intercession?