1941 Bible Studies - page 3

MESSIANIC PSALMS.

Messiah from everlasting to everlasting.

F r o m Manchester. --Luke records that the Lord Jesus un-folded " things concerning Himself " from the Psalms, as from the law of Moses and the prophets.  The hearts of His hearers burned within them as He opened to them the Scriptures. As we enter upon the study of the Messianic psalms, may the Holy Spirit so open our minds t h a t our hearts may be touched by a fuller appreciation of the Lord’s worth.

The majestic words of the ninetieth psalm express most impressively the eternal character of our Lord Jesus Christ.  In simple words it is stated that God (Elohim) who formed the earth and the world existed before those mighty creative acts, that He had been from everlasting. As all things were made by the Lord Jesus (John 1. 3)

we can have no hesitation in applying these words to Him.[*] He could truly say, " Before Abraham was, I am," and the Holy Spirit through the psalmist shows that it could have been said with equal truth, " Before the world was, I am."  With this thought we may link the decree which is spoken of in the second psalm," Thou art My Son, this day have I begotten Thee."  Since this verse is quoted in the New Testament in connection with His birth (Acts 13. 33), His resurrection (Hebrews 1.5), and His priesthood (Hebrews 5. 5), it clearly cannot refer to any particular point of time.  The day spoken of in the decree is an eternal day. and the decree or statute connected with His eternal Sonship.  Going back in thought as far as our limited conception will carry us, these words are true of Him, and when reason fails with all its powers, we are assured by faith that He ever has been.

" We have heard out of the law that the Christ abideth for ever "

(John 12. 34).  Such were the words of some who had long awaited the Messiah, and the psalms fully confirm that He abideth for ever, even to everlasting.  It has been emphasised that He existed before the earth was created, and it is equally clear from Psalm 102. 25-27, t h a t the One who laid the foundation of the earth will endure when heaven and earth have passed away.  How vivid is the contrast between Him whose years shall have no end, and the earth which will wax old and be changed as a garment that has served its fleeting purpose !

The heavens and the earth may appear to us the very symbols of unchanging regularity and abiding stability, but in contrast to Him with whom " a thousand years are but as yesterday when it is past and as a watch in the night," they appear in their true perspective.

It is the good pleasure of God to sum up all things in Christ, and He will endure when those things which have been created through Him and unto Him have waxed old and passed away (Ephesians 1. 10, Colossians 1. 16).

In the Lord Jesus will be fulfilled the promises so often repeated in the Psalms that the seed of David will abide for ever {e.g., Psalm 8 9 . 4, 36).  The sons of David failed miserably, and forfeited the throne for their sin, but David’s greater Son will reign eternally in accordance with God’s decree.  Similarly the truth that the Lord Jesus will abide to everlasting is borne out by Psalm 110. 4. He is a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek, having been so appointed " after the power of an endless life " (Hebrews 7. 16).

The eternal existence of the Lord Jesus is bound up with the fact of His Deity, and in the Psalms referred to above it is clearly implied that He is God.  This point is further emphasised, however,