2) Prophecies of the life and mission of Jesus Christ
a) Many psalms prophesy of Christ’s mission as the Messiah. The resurrected Savior declared, “All things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me” (Luke 24:44). Listed are a few of the prophecies about Christ that are written in the book of Psalms with their accompanying fulfillment:
i) Psalm 107:23–30 → Matthew 8:23–27. Jesus calmed the winds and the waves.
ii) Psalm 69:8 → John 1:11; 7:5. Jesus was not received by his own people.
iii) Psalm 41:9; 55:12–14 → John 13:18, 21. Jesus was betrayed by a friend.
iv) Psalm 69:20 → Mark 14:32–41. Jesus suffered alone in Gethsemane.
v) Psalm 22:7–8 → Matthew 27:39–43. Jesus was mocked.
vi) Psalm 22:16 → Mark 15:25. Jesus was crucified.
vii) Psalm 22:18 → Matthew 27:35. The soldiers cast lots for Christ’s clothes.
viii) Psalm 22:1 → Matthew 27:46. Jesus asked the Father why he had forsaken him.
ix) Psalm 69:21 → John 19:28–30. Jesus was given vinegar for his thirst.
x) Psalm 34:20 → John 19:33–36. None of Jesus’ bones was broken.
xi) Psalm 31:5 → Luke 23:46. Jesus commended his spirit to the Father and died.
xii) Psalm 16:10 → Acts 2:31–32; 13:34–35. The Savior’s flesh did not see corruption, being raised up in the Resurrection.
b) Jesus Christ is the only person whose birth, life, death, and resurrection were prophesied before his birth. Why do you think such detailed prophecies were given about the Savior’s life? (These prophecies made it clear that Jesus was the promised Messiah, the Savior of the world.) How were these prophecies a blessing to those who received them? (The prophecies helped people learn of the Savior and gain testimonies of him even before he was born [see Mosiah 3:13]. The prophecies also helped some people recognize him when he came.)
3) “The Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee” (Psalm 116:7).
a) In addition to prophesying of the Savior’s life and mission, many psalms express gratitude for blessings such as the creation of heaven and earth; the Savior’s mercy, forgiveness, and love; the scriptures; and the temple.
b) The Creation of Heaven and Earth
i) Consider the following psalms that express gratitude to the Lord for the creation of heaven and earth:
(1) Psalm 19:1
(2) Psalm 104:5–7, 14, 24
(3) Psalm 136:3–9
ii) How does the creation of heaven and earth testify of God’s power and love? (See Alma 30:44; Moses 6:63.) How can you show gratitude for the gift of the Creation?
c) The Savior’s Mercy, Forgiveness, and Love
i) Consider some of the following psalms that express gratitude to the Savior for his mercy, forgiveness, and love:
(1) Psalm 23
(2) Psalm 51
(3) Psalm 59:16
(4) Psalm 78:38
(5) Psalm 86:5, 13
(6) Psalm 100:4–5
(7) Psalm 103:2–4, 8–11, 17–18
ii) What can you learn about the Lord from these psalms? How have you come to know of the Lord’s mercy, forgiveness, and love?
iii) What impresses you about David’s plea for forgiveness in Psalm 51? What does this psalm teach you about repentance and forgiveness? (Note the first words in verses 2, 7, and 12. These words describe important aspects of repentance. Note also verse 17, which describes the condition of heart you must have to truly repent.)
d) The Scriptures
i) Consider the following psalms that express gratitude to the Lord for the scriptures:
(1) Psalm 19:7–11
(2) Psalm 119
ii) What words did David use in Psalm 19:7–10 to describe the scriptures? (Synonyms for the scriptures include law, testimony, statutes, commandment, and judgments. Adjectives describing the scriptures include perfect, sure, right, pure, true, and righteous. The scriptures are also described as more desired than gold and sweeter than honey.)
iii) What blessings can the scriptures bring into your life, as recorded in Psalm 19:7–11?
(1) They convert your soul (verse 7).
(2) They make the simple wise (verse 7).
(3) They cause your heart to rejoice (verse 8).
(4) They enlighten your eye (verse 8).
(5) They give you warning (verse 11).
iv) How have the scriptures blessed your life in these or in other ways?
v) The Psalmist exclaimed to the Lord, “O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day” (Psalm 119:97)
(1) See also verses 15–16, 33–35, 40, 47–50, 72, 92, 104, 174.
(2) How can you develop such a love for the scriptures?
vi) How are the scriptures like “a lamp unto [your] feet, and a light unto [your] path”? (Psalm 119:105).
e) The Temple
i) Consider some of the following psalms about the temple.
(1) Psalm 5:7
(2) Psalm 15:1–3
(3) Psalm 24
(4) Psalm 27:4
(5) Psalm 65:4
(6) Psalm 84:1–2, 4, 10–12
(7) Psalm 122
(8) Psalm 134
ii) What can you learn about the temple from these psalms?
iii) What can you learn about preparing yourself to go to the temple?
4) “What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward me?” (Psalm 116:12)
a) In Psalm 116:12, David asked, “What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward me?” How did David answer this question?
i) “I will take the cup of salvation” (116:13).
ii) “I will . . . call upon the name of the Lord” (116:13).
iii) “O Lord, truly I am thy servant” (116:16).
iv) “I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving” (116:17).
v) “I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all his people, in the courts of the Lord’s house” (116:18–19).
b) How can David’s answers be applied in showing gratitude to the Lord?
5) “Trust in the Lord” (Psalm 4:5)
a) Compare Psalms 4:5; 5:11; 9:10; 18:2; 56:11; 62:8; 118:8–9).
b) How do you place your trust in the Lord?
c) How have you been blessed as you have trusted him?
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