As is clear from the scriptures previously presented in this series, David established two things that are relevant to what we are looking at. The Ark of the Covenant at Zion (Zion is the high point in Jerusalem) and open ongoing worship before the ark. Now we will look at what flowed from these two things.
I previously referenced David being given and giving a psalm when the ark first arrived in Jerusalem. Now I want to look at what some of the prophetic worship released. Our scriptures showed that David set people before the ark to worship and prophesy (1 Chronicles 16:4-7, 25:1-6). In the book of Psalms there are numerous prophecies regarding Jesus that have their fulfillment recorded in the New Testament. We will look at some representative prophetic psalms. An important note is who wrote these psalms. We have them mainly by David, then Asaph (Psalm 50, 73-83) and the sons of Korah.
We start with David. He wrote numerous prophetic psalms, one of which was Psalm 110. Here are the first two verses.
1 The LORD said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.” 2 The LORD shall send the rod of Your strength out of Zion. Rule in the midst of Your enemies! Psalm 110:1-2 (NKJV)
This is a Messianic Psalm referring to Jesus and is not only the most quoted Psalm it is the most quoted Old Testament passage in the entire New Testament. It is referenced in Matthew 22:44, Mark 12:36, 16:19 and Luke 20:42-43. It is also referenced in Acts, 1 Corinthians, Ephesians, Colossians and Hebrews. These references relate to just the first verse! The example below is Jesus using Psalm 110 to silence and confound His challengers.
41 While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, 42 saying, “What do you think about the Christ? Whose Son is He?”
They said to Him, “The Son of David.”
43 He said to them, “How then does David in the Spirit call Him ‘Lord,’ saying:
44 ‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at My right hand,
Till I make Your enemies Your footstool” ’?
45 If David then calls Him ‘Lord,’ how is He his Son?” 46 And no one was able to answer Him a word, nor from that day on did anyone dare question Him anymore. Matthew 22:41–46 (NKJV)
Next we have Jesus’ resurrection foretold by David in Psalm 16.
8 I have set the LORD always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved. 9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will rest in hope. 10 For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. Psalm 16:8-10 (NKJV)
This is the first post resurrection psalm quoted in the New Testament. The source is Peter on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2:29-31.
29 “Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne, 31 he, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption.” Acts 2:29-31 (NKJV)
Asaph prophesied the exaltation of Jesus.
17 Let Your hand be upon the man of Your right hand, Upon the son of man whom You made strong for Yourself. Psalm 80:17 (NKJV)
We find the fulfillment referenced in Acts 5.
30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. 31 Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. Acts 5:30-31 (NKJV)
A last example, Psalm 45. It is a Messianic Psalm by the sons of Korah and is repeated in Hebrews as referring to Jesus.
6 Your throne, O God, is forever and ever;
A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom.
7 You love righteousness and hate wickedness;
Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You
With the oil of gladness more than Your companions. Psalm 45:6–7 (NKJV)
8 But to the Son He says:
“Your throne, O God, is forever and ever;
A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom.
9 You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness;
Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You
With the oil of gladness more than Your companions.” Hebrews 1:8–9 (NKJV)
Many more Messianic Psalms could be referenced but I close with a non Messianic one, an honourable mention. Heman wrote Psalm 88, a lamentation and cry for help that has comforted many over the years. I reference Heman because was the grandson of the great prophet Samuel who anointed David as king.
So to our conclusion. David actually established three things. The Ark of the Covenant in Jerusalem, open prophetic worship before it, and most importantly, David established the future! He and the other prophetic worshippers declared and wrote what was on the Father’s heart and declared and recorded things to come.
In my next and final post in this series I will look at how we can each answer this question for ourselves – What are we establishing?
