Daniel Denham
By themselves Psalms 22, 23, and 24 are literary masterpieces. The sweep of their individual messages, the beauty of their words, and consolation of their advice would place them at the very front of literature, even if divine inspiration were never involved in their ultimate origin. The music that they bring to the human heart is incredible. But with the indisputable face of the heavenly origin, their dolce tones are all the more uplifting, and when taken together as a wonderful three part harmony, they form a sublime symphony heralding events in the life of the Messiah Himself!
I urge you to read each Psalm carefully and separately at first. Then re-read them one after the other in flow. In Psalm 22, we have the suffering Savior, Who—forsaken by God and man—will give Himself on the cross for sinners. The psalm is filled with allusions to the Lord’s sufferings before and during the awful events at Calvary. Its words remind us that He indeed was “a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief” (Isaiah 53:3). In Psalm 23, the beautiful Shepherd’s Psalm, we see the Good Shepherd (cf. John 10:7-18), and the provisions that He makes for His sheep. His care, comfort, and consolation is stressed throughout. In Psalm 24, we see the Reigning Sovereign, the Lord of glory triumphant in battle and ascended through the everlasting doors of heaven to reign at God’s right hand as Daniel prophesied (Dan. 7:13-14) and as the New Testament records (Acts 1:9-11; 2:29-36; Eph. 1:21-23)!
The three psalms together stress the sacrifice, service and sovereign power. Each testifies of salvation provided in His death, perfected through His work despite His own suffering, and preserved by His victory over death. Together they speak of death, resurrection and ascension – sorrow, comfort, and jubilation! Again, read them carefully and prayerfully alone, but then read them together and see if your appreciation for them is not enhanced! These psalms by themselves would make David well-deserving of the appellation “the Sweet Singer of Israel”; for the Spirit of God authored their melody and lyrics so unfailingly.
