JESUS CHRIST IN THE BOOK OF PSALMS V (38-45)
JESUS CHRIST IN THE BOOK OF PSALMS (38-45)
Tuesday Morning Bible Study
September 2, 2025, the Year of Our Lord
Pastor Carolyn Sissom
Psalm 38 is a song of bitter anguish. David recounts his sorrows and cries out mightily for help. The Psalm reveals the principles of the Garden of Gethsemane and the humiliation and contrition of the Day of Atonement.
PSALM 38:1: O’ LORD, rebuke me not in your wrath, neither chasten me in your hot displeasure.
I can personally witness to the anguish expressed in this Psalm. Yesterday, I was praying for a lady who expressed almost word for word the bodily affliction, suffering, rejection, and plight described by David in the face of his enemies and loss of his friends. But with compassion, I remembered days when I was very ill and at the bottom of a pit emotionally and physically. In that state, I was rejected and unloved by friends and family. As with David, the days of light came when the LORD lifted me out of my deep darkness of hopelessness. Because of that, I am able to pray with compassion for those who are passing through the dark days of 38:6-9: I am troubled. I am bowed down greatly. I go mourning all day long. For my loins are filled with a loathsome disease and there is no soundness in my flesh. Lord all my desire is before you, and my groaning is not hidden from you.
These were almost the exact words of my friend who is experiencing this dark day of the soul and of her physical body.
This prayer is for forgiveness and is filled with distressing circumstances. My friend is prayed up and walking before the LORD in prayer, and worship, so her sin is not in view. David was suffering from a physical malady, deserted by his friends, and persecuted by his enemies. The sorrow of this Psalm is exceeded only by Ps. 51.
38:21-22: Forsake me not, O LORD. O my God, be not far from me. Make haste to help me. O Lord my salvation.
PSALM 39:1: I said, I will take heed to my ways that I sin not with my tongue. I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.
This Psalm marks an advance from Psalm 38. Even though it is a Psalm of human frailty, the attitude of the sufferer is true dignity. In Psalm 38, we saw a man crying out for Jehovah and His help. Here is a man still undergoing trial and acutely conscious of it, but he has found the secret place of communion. Toward his foes, he maintains a great silence. He speaks to Jehovah and not his enemy. This is a dirge that ends with a smile.
39:11-13: When with rebukes You correct man for iniquity. You make his beauty melt away like a moth. Surely ever man is vapor. SELAH. Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear to my cry. Do not be silent at my tears. For I am a stranger with You. A sojourner, as all my fathers were. Remove Your gaze from me, that I may regain strength, before I go away and am no more.
The LORD hears our cry. The spiritual experience and confidence of David now mounts higher than in the preceding two Psalms.
PSALM 40:1: I waited patiently for the LORD, and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. He has put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God. Many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD. Blessed is that man that makes the LORD his trust, and respects not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. Many O LORD my God, are your wonderful works which you have done, and your thoughts which are to us-ward. They cannot be reckoned up in order unto you. If I would declare and speak to them, they are more than can be numbered.
This Psalm is Messianic. Verses 6-9 are quoted in Hebrews 10:5-9. To fully appreciate this Psalm, we should include a study of Hebrews 10. Here we see the theme of the Body of Christ.
40: 6-9: Sacrifice and offering, you did not desire. Mine ears have you opened. Burnt offering and sin offering you have not required. Then said I, Lo, I come in the volume of the book. It is written of me. I delight to do your will, O my God. Yes, your law is within my heart. I have preached righteousness in the great congregation. Lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, you know.
Praise prepares for prayer, after which is an affirmation of faith. Verses 13-17 are a final prayer of David again pouring out his complaint against his enemies, but in verse 40:16, he prays for his enemies.
PSALM 41:1-3: Blessed is he that considers the poor. The LORD will deliver him in time of trouble. The LORD will preserve him, and keep him alive, and he shall be blessed upon the earth; and you will not deliver him unto the will of his enemies. The LORD will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing…
It begins with promises with one condition, consider the poor. 1. Deliverance from trouble. 2. Preserve us and keep us alive. 3. Blessed upon the earth. 4. Deliver us from our enemies. Strengthen us on our sick beds.
Then beginning in verse 4, David confesses his sin and we hear the prayer of a lonely man. 41:9: Yea, my own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.
Betrayal is part of the walk to the Cross, and always by family or friends. Enemies don’t get that close. It is part of the process as we fellowship His sufferings. PAIN = price of LOVE.
Verses 11-13 are the doxology to the first book of Psalms.
41:11-13: By this I know that You are well pleased with me, because my enemy does not triumph over me. As for me, You uphold me in my integrity, and set me before Your face forever. Blessed by the LORD God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting! Amen and Amen.
Book Two Psalms 42-72
PSALM 42:1: As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God.
How we love that scripture and the beautiful song by Maranatha Praise Band:
“As the deer panteth for the water, so my soul longeth after thee. You alone are my heart's desire, and I long to worship thee.
You alone are my strength, my shield. To you alone may my spirit yield. You alone are my heart's desire, and I long to worship thee.
You're my friend and You are my brother even though you are a King. I love you more than any other. So much more than anything.”
This second section of the Book of Psalms deals with the theme of tribulation and deliverance from that tribulation. This is more than the truth that God keeps His people during the hour of trial – it reveals the truth that we who are apprehended for Zion will not stay there in the Most Holy Place. We shall return to the Outer court and become GATES for the rest of creation.
This is Maschil (instruction) for the sons of Korah, a family of Levitical singers. Korah was the great-grandson of Levi. David selected a number of Korah’s sons to preside over the music of the sanctuary.
Psalm 42 is a cry for revival. It is the first in a section from 42-49 which press through tribulation to Kingdom blessing.
It is the song of an exile among enemies who have no sympathy with his Godly convictions. He cries out after God with great intensity. His greatest grief is their mocking inquiry after his God. In the midst of his grief, he appeals to his own soul in the language of hope and confidence.
Ps. 42: 2-4: My soul thirsts for God, for the living God, when shall I come and appear before God? My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, where is your God? When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me; for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.
42:5: Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance.
42:7-9: Deep calls unto deep at the noise of Your waterfalls. All Your waves and billows have gone over me. The LORD will command His lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night His song shall be with me--- A prayer to the God of my life. I will say to God my Rock, Why have you forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?
42:11: Why are you cast down, O my soul” and why are you disquieted with me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise him. The help of my countenance and my God.
Psalm 43 is a continuation of Psalm 42. Verses 5 and 11 are repeated in 43:5.
PSALM 43:1: Vindicate me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation. Oh, deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man.
We can pray this over the summit with Russia, India, and China, as they conspire with deceit against the United States. We can pray it over Hamas.
43:2-3: For You are the God of my strength…. Oh, send out Your light and Your truth! Let them lead me. Let them bring me to Your holy hill and to Your tabernacle.
Church, as we cry out for revival, let us ask the LORD JESUS to send his light and truth to lead us, lead His church, our families, and lead our national leaders.
43:4: Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy; and on the harp, I will praise You. Oh God, my God.
See the procession of worship: to your holy hill; to Your tabernacle; to the altar of God. Then He will praise Him.
43:5: Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God. For I shall yet praise Him. The help of my countenance and my God.
PSALM 44:1 We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, the deeds You did in their days in days of old.
This Psalm not only recounts the history of God’s love and faithfulness to Israel, and their glorious past, but is prophetic of their future. We can decree this over Israel today and the enemies of God’s government. This Psalm recognizes the government of God.
44:2-4: You drove out the nations with Your hand…for they did not gain possession of the land by their own sword, nor did their own arm save them. it was Your right hand, Your arm, and the light of Your countenance, because You favored them. You are my King, O God. Command victories for Jacob… (vs6-7: I will not trust in my bow, nor shall my sword save me. You have saved us from our enemies…
Verses 9-17 describe the disastrous present of the Psalmist and verses 17-26 as O Lord, Why?
44: 23-26: Awake! Why do You sleep, O Lord? Arise! Do not cast us off forever. Why do You hide Your face, and forget our affliction and our oppression?... Arise for our help and redeem us for Your mercies’ sake.
Then we come to Psalm 45 – The Glories of the Messiah and His Bride.
SHOSHANNIM
Psalm 45:1: To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim…A song of love. My heart overflows with a good theme. I address my verses to the king. My tongue is the pen of a ready writer.
“Shoshannim” means “lilies” and reveals the principles of the Passover, Resurrection and Purity. Lilies are also used in the Bible as metaphors of God’s precious people.
“We call the prophets the penmen of scripture. In reality, they were only the pen. The tongue of the most subtle disputer, and the most eloquent orator, is but the pen with which God writes what he pleases.” (Matthew Henry)
Psalm 45 is a prophecy of Messiah the Prince. It is pure gospel, and points to Jesus as the bridegroom with His Bride; and as King ruling in and for His Beloved.
l. The Psalm speaks of the royal bridegroom who is Christ.
2. The glory of His person.
3. The glories of His victories.
4. The righteousness of His government.
5. The splendor of His court.
6. Of His royal bride, which is the church?
7. The consent of the Bride to her duties.
8. The train of the Bride.
9. The sons for the throne.
Ps. 45:2-4: You are fairer than the sons of men; Grace is poured upon your lips. God has blessed you forever. Gird your sword on your thigh, O Mighty One, Your splendor and your majesty! In your majesty ride on victoriously for the cause of truth, meekness, and righteousness. Let your right hand teach you awesome things.
“Grace is poured into His lips”. By his word, his promise, and his gospel, the goodwill of God is made known to us and the good work of God is begun and carried on in us. The gospel of grace is poured into his lips; for it began to be spoken by the Lord, and from him we receive it. He has the words of eternal life.
The word of God is the sword of the spirit. By the promises of that word, and the grace contained in those promises, souls are made willing to submit to Jesus Christ and become his loyal subjects. He goes forth in his glory and his majesty as a great king triumphant over death, hell, and the grave. In his gospel, he is great, excellent, bright, and blessed in the honor and majesty which the Father has laid upon him!
Christ both in his person and in his gospel had nothing of external glory or majesty to charm and awe men. He took upon himself the form of a servant. However, he carried the majesty of His authority so majestically that the church leaders dared challenge him to reveal the secret of his power, “under whose authority are you?”
“In thy majesty ride on victoriously for the cause of truth, meekness and righteousness.”
Messiah is a conquering King. Men are brought to believe on him because he is true and to learn of him because he is meek. The gentleness of Christ is a mighty force. Yet His right hand will teach terrible things. The right hand is a symbol of power. This means to stand in awe in fear and trembling. The heart must be pricked, conscience must be startled, and the terrors of the Lord must make way for his consolations.
The next verse describes these terrible things.
45:5-6: Your arrows are sharp in the heart of your enemies; whereby the people fall under You. Your throne, O God is forever and ever; the scepter of Your kingdom is a right scepter.”
The throne of God is forever and ever. It shall continue on earth throughout all the ages of time. Even when the kingdom shall be delivered up to God the Father, the throne of the Redeemer will
continue. The scepter of His Kingdom is the administration of His government exactly according to the eternal counsel and will of God.
45:7: You love righteousness, and hate wickedness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness above Your fellows. All Your garments smell of myrrh, aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made You glad.
Because Jesus humbled himself, God has highly exalted him. His anointing denotes the power and glory to which he is exalted. His garments of state are glorious not for their pomp, but the sweet fragrance of His Presence. Rabbis refer to myrrh as “tears from a tree,” a symbol of suffering love.
45:9: King’s daughters were among Your honorable women; upon Your right hand did stand the queen in gold of Ophir.”
The church is here compared to the queen herself, whom, by an everlasting covenant, he has betrothed to Himself. This is the bride, the Lamb’s wife, whose graces, which are her ornaments, are compared to fine linen, clean and white.
That the Easter Lily is the flower of Easter is symbolic throughout the Bible of purity and the resurrection of Jesus Christ as well as the Bride of Christ as a Lily people in the earth among thorns.
Psalm 45:10: Hearken, O daughter, and consider, incline your ear; forget also your own people, and your father’s house.
The King gave His all to apprehend her, now she must take hold of Him. He tells her of the duties expected from her. Salvation is free, but it is not cheap.
45:11: So shall the king greatly desire your beauty; for he is your Lord, worship you Him. She must reverence him, love him, honor him, and obey him. We must worship him as God, and our Lord; that is the will of God, that all men should honor the Son even as they honor the Father. If she will consent, great honor will be given to her:
Psalm 45: 12-13: The daughter of Tyre shall be there with a gift; even the rich among the people shall entreat Your favor. The king’s daughter is all glorious within her clothing is of wrought gold.
The glory of the Church is spiritual glory. Though all her glory is within, yet her clothing is also of wrought gold.
The Lily is sweet, while fruitful and tall. It has six white leaves, within are 7 golden grains. “Within is the glorious gold.” Much of the glory of the Lily is inward. So in the prophetic witness of the Lily we see the completion of the divine nature in the King’s daughter, “all glorious within”. It is prophetic of the 7-fold anointing of the Holy Spirit within those who are anointed with the Oil of Gladness. She is filled with the pure word of God. There is no lack of strength or power. The Lily also denotes purity of faith.
45: 15-16: “She shall be brought to the king in raiment of needlework; the virgins her companions that follow her shall be brought to you; with gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought; they shall enter into the King’s palace. Instead of your father shall be your children whom you may make princes in all the earth.”
She shall be brought to the King is indicative of the bridal train. The raiment of needlework is prophetic of the interweaving of the various hues of ministry. Her companions are those who are in preparation for their wedding day.
The Living bible “Your sons will someday be kings like their father. They shall sit on thrones around the world?” These are the Sons of God, the over-comer’s, the Man-child Company; the 42nd generation of Matt. 1.
45:17: I will make Your name to be remembered in all generations; therefore shall the people praise You for ever and ever.
The praise of the marriage will be perpetual in the praises of the royal bridegroom. The Father has given Him a name above every name, and here promises to make it perpetual, by keeping a succession of ministers and Christians in every age, that shall bear his name which shall endure forever.
Shoshannim - Preached by: Pastor Carolyn Sissom
Easter Sunday, April 8, 2012;
Scripture from K.J.V., NAS, and N.K.J.V.; Bibliography: Matthew Henry’s Commentary in One Volume; The Companion Bible; ‘Esdras’; Principles of Present Truth on Psalms by: Kelly Varner.