The Messianic Prophecies …the coming of the Messiah as foretold & prophesied in the Old Testament… - or - How the Old Testament points to Jesus Christ! The Old Testament Prophecies: in Order of their Appearance in Scripture A few comments should be made about the Psalms in general before studying Psalm 95:6-11. All the other books of the Bible except Psalms are divided into chapters. The book of Psalms is really a collection of five books into one. Book I - Psalms 1-41 Book II - Psalms 42-72 Book III - Psalms 73-89 Book IV - Psalms 90-106 Book V - Psalms 107-150 The Old Testament Prophecies: in Order of their Appearance in Scripture Book I - Psalms 1-41 Book II - Psalms 42-72 Book III - Psalms 73-89 Book IV - Psalms 90-106 Book V - Psalms 107-150 Some Psalms were written before the exile, some during, and some were written after. The Psalms were gathered together into one collection after the return from exile. Book I of the Psalms consist almost exclusively of “Psalms of David,” and contains mostly laments. Book I reflects the mood and spirit of the faithful after returning from exile. Book II focuses on Temple liturgy. These psalms probably date back to the religious reforms instituted by Ezra (see the Old Testament books of Ezra & Nehemiah). Book III psalms were written mostly by two people: Asaph and Korah. The Old Testament Prophecies: in Order of their Appearance in Scripture Book I - Psalms 1-41 Book II - Psalms 42-72 Book III - Psalms 73-89 Book IV - Psalms 90-106 Book V - Psalms 107-150 Book IV psalms are mostly untitled (in Hebrew bibles, the titles of the Psalms were considered to be the first verse of the Psalm, but in Christian bibles, the titles were not included as part of the Psalms). Book V psalms are the most liturgical of all the psalms. Many of these psalms were written for pilgrims journeying to Jerusalem to offer sacrifice – these psalms were used as a “booklet” by the pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem. Other Psalms in Book V focused on the three major pilgrimage festivals (Passover, Pentecost, and the Feast of Tabernacles). The Old Testament Prophecies: in Order of their Appearance in Scripture Besides being organized into books, the Psalms can also be classified by types. One category of Psalms is “Royal Psalms.” In this study, we looked at three Royal Psalms already – Psalms 2, 45, & 72. Another Psalm classification is “Prayers of Confidence.” Psalm 16 from earlier in this study was a Psalm of Confidence. Psalm 22 earlier in this study was a “Thanksgiving Psalm.” Psalm 40, also earlier in this study, is classified under “Prayers of Supplication.” The other categories of Psalms are “Hymns of Praise,” “Wisdom Psalms,” and “Acrostic Psalms.” The Old Testament Prophecies: in Order of their Appearance in Scripture Acrostic Psalms are like acrostic poems – the first letters of each line spell out a word of phrase. Here’s an example of an acrostic: Sometimes I can be haughty, though Usually I stay away from the spotlight, Zigzagging my way through the shadows And giving credit to others for their work. Now and then, however, I find myself in Need of praise; so I spell my name in letters. Excuse me for my vanity. Psalm 95:6-11, next in our study of Messianic Prophecies, is classified as one of the “Prophetic Psalms.” The Old Testament Prophecies: in Order of their Appearance in Scripture Psalm 95:6—11 Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker! For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah, as on the day at Massah in the wilderness, when your fathers put me to the test and put me to the proof, though they had seen my work. For forty years I loathed that generation and said, “They are a people who go astray in their heart, and they have not known my ways.” Therefore I swore in my wrath, “They shall not enter my rest.” The other Prophetic Psalms are 50, 81, & 82. Psalm 95:6-11 is similar to Psalm 81. Psalm 81:7—8 In distress you called, and I delivered you; I answered you in the secret place of thunder; I tested you at the waters of Meribah. Selah Hear, O my people, while I admonish you! O Israel, if you would but listen to me! The Old Testament Prophecies: in Order of their Appearance in Scripture Psalm 95:6—11 Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker! For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah, as on the day at Massah in the wilderness, when your fathers put me to the test and put me to the proof, though they had seen my work. For forty years I loathed that generation and said, “They are a people who go astray in their heart, and they have not known my ways.” Therefore I swore in my wrath, “They shall not enter my rest.” The same historical event that is referenced in Psalms 95 & 81 is found in Exodus 17:1-7*. Exodus 17:1—7 All the congregation of the people of Israel moved on from the wilderness of Sin by stages, according to the commandment of the Lord, and camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. Therefore the people quarreled with Moses and said, “Give us water to drink.” And Moses said to them, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the Lord?” But the people thirsted there for water, and the people grumbled against Moses and said, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?” So Moses cried to the Lord, “What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me.” And the Lord said to Moses, “Pass on before the people, taking with you some of the elders of Israel, and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb, and you shall strike the rock, and water shall come out of it, and the people will drink.” And Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel. And he called the name of the place Massah* and Meribah,* because of the quarreling of the people of Israel, and because they tested the Lord by saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?” *Massah means testing *Meribah means quarreling [ go back ] The Old Testament Prophecies: in Order of their Appearance in Scripture Psalm 95:6—11 Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker! For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah, as on the day at Massah in the wilderness, when your fathers put me to the test and put me to the proof, though they had seen my work. For forty years I loathed that generation and said, “They are a people who go astray in their heart, and they have not known my ways.” Therefore I swore in my wrath, “They shall not enter my rest.” The same historical event that is referenced in Psalms 95 & 81 is found in Exodus 17:1-7. Now that you know the story behind the names of Massah & Meribah, read Psalm 95:6-11 again. The Old Testament Prophecies: in Order of their Appearance in Scripture Psalm 95:6—11 Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker! For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah, as on the day at Massah in the wilderness, when your fathers put me to the test and put me to the proof, though they had seen my work. For forty years I loathed that generation and said, “They are a people who go astray in their heart, and they have not known my ways.” Therefore I swore in my wrath, “They shall not enter my rest.” Psalm 95:6-11 is a call to worship for the faithful, and a warning against unbelief. The word “Today” in Psalm 95:6-11 reminds the Jewish people of the day when Moses charged the Jewish people to adhere to the Law & the 10 Commandments in Deuteronomy 4:40*. Deuteronomy 4:40 Therefore you shall keep his statutes and his commandments, which I command you today, that it may go well with you and with your children after you, and that you may prolong your days in the land that the Lord your God is giving you for all time.” [ go back ] The Old Testament Prophecies: in Order of their Appearance in Scripture Psalm 95:6—11 Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker! For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.