The Messiah and the Psalms: Preaching Christ from all the Psalms

by Richard P. Belcher Jr.

Publisher:

Mentor

, 2006

Overview

What is the relevance and significance of the Psalms both to the New Testament and to our lives in the 21st Century? Richard Belcher helps you understand how all the psalms relate to Christ. Some have a direct relationship, but with others the link is not so evident. He carefully explains the biblical basis for his view and then how it works with different types of psalms.

Key Features

• Presents a thoughtful approach to Christology in Old Testament Psalms
• Offers a paradigm for understanding the entirety of the book of Psalms in light of Jesus Christ
• Introduces a thoroughly Reformed perspective on Old Testament interpretation and theology

Contents

• Key Issues in Interpreting the Psalms
• Different Approaches to the Messianic Psalms
• The Christological Approach to the Messiah in the Psalms
• Indirect Messianic Psalms: Psalms of Orientation
• Indirect Messianic Psalms of Disorientation
• Indirect Messianic Psalms: Psalms of New Orientation
• The Royal Psalms
• Direct Messianic Psalms
• Conclusion: The Majesty of Christin the Psalms

Top Highlights

“The meaning of a psalm in its original context, whether historical or literary, is foundational for not only understanding the psalm, but also for making correct connections to Christ. One should not bypass the meaning in the original context. But how the concepts of a psalm develop in later revelation is also important. It is thus appropriate to contemplate the meaning of a psalm, or any other Old Testament text, in light of the Old Testament canon. And finally, it is appropriate to analyze the meaning of a psalm in light of the coming of Christ, not because Christ is to be found in every verse of the Old Testament, but because Christ is the goal toward which the Old Testament moves.³¹ The major message of the Old Testament, its concepts and ideas, find their fulfillment in Christ.” (Page 19)

“Certain psalms have been historically recognized as Messianic because they speak more directly of Christ and are used as such in the New Testament (Pss. 2; 16; 22; 110), but does that mean that other psalms do not have any relationship to Christ?” (Page 13)

“The relationship between the meaning of a psalm in its historical context and its meaning in the New Testament must take into account the unity of the purposes of God and the development of ideas that take place between the Old Testament and the New Testament.” (Page 27)

“At the heart of the theology of the psalms is the idea of kingship, concerning both the human king and God as king” (Page 117)

“One approach identifies seven distinct types of genres. These types are the hymn, the lament, thanksgiving psalms, psalms of confidence, psalms of remembrance, wisdom psalms, and royal or kingship psalms.⁶ It is also helpful to divide these seven genres into three broader categories related to their outlook on life: psalms of orientation, disorientation, and new orientation.” (Page 44)

Endorsements

The Psalter is a most important book of the Old Testament in terms of its testimony to Christ. Richard Belcher explores this theme against the background of his wide knowledge of modern psalm scholarship while successfully avoiding too much use of technical language. His love for Christ and Scripture are evident and he expounds psalms representative of particular genres, considering various ways each has been handled in terms of its application to Christ. He is convinced that every psalm contains a Messianic element, although not all will agree with his identification of this in every instance.

—Geoffrey Grogan, (1925-2011), Principal of Glasgow Bible College

Belcher successfully combines scholarship and devotion. His rigorous study of the psalms fuels passion for Christ. The reader cannot fail to derive much benefit from using this book as a guide to a Christian understanding and use of all Psalter.

—New Life, Australia's Christian Newspaper

Product Details

• Title: The Messiah and the Psalms: Preaching Christ from All the Psalms
• Author: Richard P. Belcher Jr.
• Publisher: Mentor
• Print Publication Date: 2006
• Logos Release Date: 2021
• Pages: 288
• Era: era:contemporary
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subjects: Bible. O.T. Psalms › Criticism, interpretation, etc; Messianic Psalms; Jesus Christ › Person and offices
• ISBNs: 9781845500740, 1845500741
• Resource ID: LLS:MSSHPSLMSLPSLMS
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-30T01:38:36Z

About Richard P. Belcher Jr.

Richard P. Belcher Jr. is the John D. and Frances M. Gwin Professor of Old Testament and Academic Dean at Reformed Theological Seminary in Charlotte, North Carolina. His books include Job: The Mystery of Suffering and God’s Sovereignty, Ecclesiastes: A Mentor Commentary, and Prophet, Priest, and King. He is a contributor to IVP’s Dictionary of the Old Testament: Wisdom, Writings and Poetry.