records about Christ For example, we read in Matthew 27:35-36 that men nailed Jesus to the cross; that they parted His garments among them and cast lots over His vesture; that they sat around the cross and watched His su erings The gospels also record a few words which Jesus spoke at this time But they not reveal much of the thoughts and feelings of Jesus It is Psalm 22 that a ords us the experience of listening to Jesus communing with His Father in that dread hour See the NASB marginal note at 27:35; Psalm 22 is a prophecy of Christ We recognize the agonized cry of the opening verse of the psalm, and such verses as 16 and 18 show that the prophecy goes far beyond any of David’s experiences The Messianic psalms speak of Christ as the royal Messiah (Psalms 2, 18, 20, 21, 45, 61, 72, 89, 110, 132); the su ering Messiah (Psalms 22, 35, 41, 55, 69, 109); and the Son of man (Psalms 16, 40) Other Messianic psalms are: Psalms 23, 24, 31, 50, 68, 96-98, 102, 118 V APPLICATIONS The psalms are unsurpassed for devotional reading Every reader can identify with them because their authors write as those totally dependent on God’s grace and mercy, which He gives to undeserving sinners Only eternity will reveal how many souls in desperation have ed to a psalm for help and strength The ministry of the psalms in public services is also immeasurable For example, what psalms especially come to mind when you think of a funeral service? VI FURTHER STUDY Make extended studies of the following subjects: prophecy in the Psalms applying the imprecatory psalms in the Christian setting the Word of God in Psalms, especially in Psalm 119 VII SELECTED READING GENERAL INTRODUCTION Manley, G T The New Bible Handbook, pp 191-98 Purkiser, W T Exploring the Old Testament, pp 209-37 Scroggie, W Graham Psalms, 1:9-44 Wyngaarden, Martin J “Psalms.” in The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, 4:2487-94B Young, Edward J An Introduction to the Old Testament, pp 281-300 COMMENTARIES AND OTHER AIDS Alexander, Joseph A The Psalms Translated and Explained ... VI FURTHER STUDY Make extended studies of the following subjects: prophecy in the Psalms applying the imprecatory psalms in the Christian setting the Word of God in Psalms, especially in Psalm.. .The Messianic psalms speak of Christ as the royal Messiah (Psalms 2, 18, 20, 21, 45, 61, 72, 89, 110, 132); the su ering Messiah (Psalms 22, 35, 41, 55, 69, 109); and the Son of man (Psalms... help and strength The ministry of the psalms in public services is also immeasurable For example, what psalms especially come to mind when you think of a funeral service? VI FURTHER STUDY Make