9. The Messiah and Marvelous Works
The Messiah and
Marvelous Works
(PSALMS 110—112)
Before you begin …
• Pray for the Holy Spirit to reveal truth and wisdom as you go through this lesson.
• Read Psalms 110—112. This lesson references content in Be Exultant. It will be helpful for you to have your Bible and a copy of the commentary available as you work through this lesson.
Getting Started
From the Commentary
Jesus and Peter both stated that David wrote Psalm 110 (Matt. 22:43; Mark 12:36; Luke 20:42; Acts 2:33–35), and since David was a prophet, he wrote it about the Messiah (Acts 2:30; 2 Sam. 23:2). He certainly did not write about any of his own descendants, for no Jewish king was ever a priest, let alone a priest forever (Ps. 110:4; 2 Chron. 26:16–23). Also, no Jewish king ever conquered all the rulers of the whole earth (Ps. 110:6). The psalm is quoted or alluded to in the New Testament more than any other psalm, verse 1 at least twenty-five times and verse 4 another five times.
—Be Exultant, pages 80–81
1. Why do you think Psalm 110 is quoted so often in the New Testament? What is it about verse 1 that makes it so quotable? Go through the psalm and circle phrases and words that support the claim that this is a messianic psalm. Why is that important to consider when reading the psalm?
More to Consider: Read Matthew 22:41–46; 26:64. How does Jesus use Psalm 110:1 in each of these passages? Why is it significant that Jesus quotes David’s psalm?
2. Choose one verse or phrase from Psalms 110—112 that stands out to you. This could be something you’re intrigued by, something that makes you uncomfortable, something that puzzles you, something that resonates with you, or just something you want to examine further. Write that here.
Going Deeper
From the Commentary
To sit at a ruler’s right hand was a great honor (1 Kings 2:19; Matt. 20:21). When Jesus ascended to heaven, the Father honored Him by placing Him at His own right hand, a statement repeated frequently in the New Testament.
—Be Exultant, page 81
3. How does Psalm 110 establish Jesus as the King? Who is “speaking” in the various verses? In what ways does this psalm help reveal David’s role as prophet?
From the Commentary
The central verse of Psalm 110 (v. 4) announces that Messiah will also be a priest, something unheard of in Old Testament history. This verse is important to the message of the book of Hebrews (Heb. 5:6, 10; 6:20; 7:17, 21; see Rom. 8:34) because the present high priestly ministry of Christ in heaven is described in that book. If Jesus were on earth, He could not minister as a priest because He was from the tribe of Judah and not from Levi. But because His priesthood is after the order of Melchizedek, who was both a king and a priest (Gen. 14:18–24), He can minister in heaven today.
—Be Exultant, page 82
4. Read Hebrews 7. How is Melchizedek a “type” of Jesus? (A type is something that foreshadows something that comes later.) Why might Psalm 110 have shocked the Israelites? Why, if they understood the messianic message in the psalm, did the Jewish people still reject Jesus when He came to earth? What does all of this teach us about the way God reveals Himself to His people?
From the Commentary
The image of Psalm 110:7 is difficult to decipher. The NIV margin reads, “The One who grants succession will set him in authority,” meaning that Christ will win the victory and receive the promised throne. But it is necessary to alter the Hebrew text to get this meaning. The picture is obviously not to be taken literally, for a King riding out of heaven on a horse doesn’t need a drink of water to keep going.
—Be Exultant, page 83
5. What do you think Psalm 110:7 is saying? Does the fact that David knew something about battles add any insight to the meaning? Is it important to understand every word of a psalm in order to benefit from it? Why or why not? What’s the difference between careful study and overanalyzing?
From the Commentary
Life was not easy for the Jewish remnant that returned to Jerusalem after their exile in Babylon. Their neighbors were often hostile, the Persian officials were not always cooperative, and the economic situation was difficult. Ezra the scribe and the prophet Haggai describe some of these problems in their books and point out that the Jewish people were not always faithful to the Lord or generous to each other. This was why God withheld His blessing.
—Be Exultant, page 84
6. Psalm 111 is a very upbeat psalm that comes from a time when things were difficult. What are some of the clues in this psalm that suggest times weren’t always easy for the Israelites? What does this psalm teach us today about how we ought to respond when we’re in the midst of struggles or challenges? How is the season the Israelites faced after the return from Babylon like and unlike the season the church is going through today?
From the Commentary
Psalms 111 and 112, along with 115–117, are “hallelujah” psalms that either begin or end with “Praise the Lord!” If we cannot rejoice in our circumstances, we can always rejoice in the Lord (Phil. 4:4). This opening verse is actually a vow; the writer is determined to praise God no matter what happens.
—Be Exultant, page 84
7. What can today’s church learn about praise from “hallelujah” psalms like Psalm 111? What does this form of praise say about the role (or lack thereof) our feelings ought to play in our praise life? What does the phrase “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom” in verse 10 mean?
From the Commentary
God’s people do not live in the past, but they know how to use the past to give them encouragement in the present and hope for the future. The celebrating of special days and weeks as commanded in Leviticus 23 was one way the Lord helped His people recall His great deeds on their behalf.
—Be Exultant, page 85
8. What attributes of God are revealed in Psalm 111? Circle them. How do God’s actions in history reveal His character? What are some ways God’s character has been revealed in your church experience?
More to Consider: Psalms 111 and 112 are acrostic psalms (each line begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet). Other acrostic psalms include 9, 10, 25, 34, 37, 119, and 145. Why do you think the psalmists sometimes used this form? What does this tell us about the importance of things like memorization and study?
From the Commentary
Both Psalms 111 and 112 must be read in light of God’s covenant with Israel in which He promises to bless them if they fear Him and obey His Word (Lev. 26:1–13; Deut. 28:1–14).
—Be Exultant, page 87
9. What happens to our theology today if we take Psalm 112’s message from the context of God’s covenant with Israel? How can passages like this one offer struggling Christians false hope about wealth and success? What is the real message in this psalm? Not everything in this psalm is sunshine and roses. What are some of the challenges the “man who fears the Lord” has faced?
From the Commentary
God rewards the delight of the righteous (Ps. 112:1) but ignores the desires of the wicked (v. 10; see 35:16; 37:12). Those who walk with the Lord and live godly lives are opposed and hated by the wicked, because the good works of the godly are like lights that reveal the evil in the world (Matt. 5:14–16; Eph. 5:1–14). The fact that the wicked oppose the godly is a good sign that the godly are living as they should.
—Be Exultant, pages 89–90
10. What are some of the ways God rewards the righteous today (apart from material wealth)? How have you seen evidence of the truth in Psalm 112:10 in the life of believers at church or home or even in the workplace? How does the fact that the wicked are bothered by good deeds affect the practical actions of Christians today?
Looking Inward
Take a moment to reflect on all that you’ve explored thus far in this study of Psalms 110—112. Review your notes and answers and think about how each of these things matters in your life today.
Tips for Small Groups: To get the most out of this section, form pairs or trios and have group members take turns answering these questions. Be honest and as open as you can in this discussion, but most of all, be encouraging and supportive of others. Be sensitive to those who are going through particularly difficult times and don’t press for people to speak if they’re uncomfortable doing so.
11. What makes Psalm 110 relevant to your life today? How do promises about the future affect you in the present? What would it mean to your faith life if God made your enemies “a footstool”?
12. How do you relate to Jesus as King? How is this different from relating to Him as Savior or friend?
13. Have you ever felt as if God “owed you” riches or wealth for good behavior? Why or why not? What prompted that feeling? How does the context of Psalms 111 and 112 help you understand the way God’s blessings worked in Old Testament times versus the way God blesses today?
Going Forward
14. Think of one or two things that you have learned that you’d like to work on in the coming week. Remember that this is all about quality, not quantity. It’s better to work on one specific area of life and do it well than to work on many and do poorly (or to be so overwhelmed that you simply don’t try).
Do you want to better understand Jesus’ role as King? Be specific. Go back through Psalms 110—112 and put a star next to the phrase or verse that is most encouraging to you. Consider memorizing this verse.
Real-Life Application Ideas: Write your own acrostic psalm, using the first letters of your name or some other easy-to-remember word or phrase. Make it an honest psalm, but be sure to include reasons to praise God for your current circumstances.
Seeking Help
15. Write a prayer below (or simply pray one in silence), inviting God to work on your mind and heart in those areas you’ve previously noted. Be honest about your desires and fears.
Notes for Small Groups:
• Look for ways to put into practice the things you wrote in the Going Forward section. Talk with other group members about your ideas and commit to being accountable to one another.
• During the coming week, ask the Holy Spirit to continue to reveal truth to you from what you’ve read and studied.
• Before you start the next lesson, read Psalm 119:1–80. For more in-depth lesson preparation, read the related commentary in Be Exultant.