Who Is This King of Glory?

Prophecies of Christ in the Psalms

The psalms in the book of Psalms collectively are called in Hebrew Tehillim or “Praises.” Many were set to music. No book of the Old Testament is more Christian than Psalms. Out of a total of 283 direct citations from the Old Testament that are also found in the New Testament, 116 are found in Psalms (see Bible Dictionary, 754–55).

The psalmist asks, “Who is this King of glory?” and answers, “the Lord strong and mighty” (Psalm 24:8). Many prophecies of Christ found in Psalms are fulfilled in the New Testament. For example, Psalm 31:5 speaks messianically of the Crucifixion: “Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth.”

The fulfillment of that prophecy is found in Luke 23:46: “And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.”

Following are other prophecies of Christ in Psalms linked to their fulfillment in the New Testament.

Get Thee Hence, Satan, by Carl Heinrich Bloch. Used by permission of the National Historic Museum at Frederiksborg in Hillerød, Denmark.

“For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

“They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone” (Psalm 91:11–12).

Prophecy fulfilled in Matthew 4:5–6.

Christ Stilling the Storm, by Robert T. Barrett. © Robert T. Barrett, may not be copied.

“He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still” (Psalm 107:29).

Prophecy fulfilled in Mark 4:39.

Peace I Leave with You, by Walter Rane

“The Lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace” (Psalm 29:11).

Prophecy fulfilled in John 14:27.

Judas Betraying Jesus with a Kiss, by James Tissot

“Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me” (Psalm 41:9).

Prophecy fulfilled in John 13:21–27.

Take Your Rest, by Walter Rane. © Walter Rane, may not be copied.

“Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none” (Psalm 69:20).

Prophecy fulfilled in Mark 14:34–42.

The Crown of Thorns, by Gustave Doré

“All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying,

“He trusted on the Lord that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing that he delighted in him” (Psalm 22:7–8).

Prophecy fulfilled in Matthew 27:43.

Detail from The Crucifixion, by Carl Heinrich Bloch. Used by permission of the National Historic Museum at Frederiksborg in Hillerød, Denmark.

“They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink” (Psalm 69:21).

Prophecy fulfilled in Matthew 27:34.

“He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken” (Psalm 34:20).

Prophecy fulfilled in John 19:36.

“They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture” (Psalm 22:18).

Prophecy fulfilled in Matthew 27:35.

“My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?” (Psalm 22:1).

Prophecy fulfilled in Mark 16:34.

The Burial of Christ, by Carl Heinrich Bloch. Used by permission of the National Historic Museum at Frederiksborg in Hillerød, Denmark.

Even as Christ was buried, believers knew His Resurrection had been prophesied.

“Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.

“For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption” (Psalm 16:9–10).

Prophecy fulfilled in Acts 13:34–37; see also Acts 2:31–32.

The Doubtful Thomas, by Carl Heinrich Bloch. Photograph from original mural in Ugerløs, Denmark, by Charles Baird and Steve Chamberlain, used by permission.

“The assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet” (Psalm 22:16).

Prophecy fulfilled in Mark 15:25 and John 20:24–27.

The Ascension, by Harry Anderson

“Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the Lord God might dwell among them” (Psalm 68:18).

Prophecy fulfilled in Acts 1:9–11; see also Ephesians 4:8–10.