This document analyzes four "super epic" Psalms from Book 1 of Psalms that point to Jesus: Psalm 18 on death and resurrection, Psalm 22 on the suffering servant, Psalm 35 on the trials of Jesus, and Psalm 37 quoted in the Sermon on the Mount. These Psalms emphasize Jesus' innocence, deliverance from death, the nations being invited through him, his suffering and cries from the cross, and that the meek will inherit the earth through his work. Color coding is used to highlight connections to Jesus and quotations in the New Testament.

3. Book 1 of Psalms
Psalms 1 through 41 represents David’s
first book of the Psalms
Most are fairly short with about 7 series
some have only a few verses.
but some are much longer in contrast
What might be emphasized in those
super epic longer Psalms?

4. Psalm 22 A suffering servant
Psalm 35 The trials and dangers of Jesus
Psalm 18 Death and resurrection
Psalm 37 The meek shall inherit the earth

5. The first super epic Psalm in the book opens with
‘I love you’

6. Psalm 18 - The first long Psalm in the book of Psalm:
death and resurrection
In prelude: Psalm 16 is quoted in Acts 2:25-26 where Peter claims
the Psalms speaks of Jesus rising from the dead . Psalm 16 and
17 are similar both being pleas for future deliverance. All are
resurrection Psalms.
Psalm 18 speaks of complete deliverance poetically for David from
Saul and literally for Jesus. Deliverance has finally been obtained.
The Deliverance a fulfillment of the prayers in Psalms16 and 17
Psalm 18:
• Opens with saying ‘I love you’ to God (vs 1)
• Jesus is innocent (vs 20-24)
• Jesus is delivered from death (vs 6-10)
• Deliverance is complete (title)
• Gentiles from all nations are invited (as quoted in Romans
15:9 and also from 2 Sam 22:50)
Color code:
As quoted in NT
Pointing to Jesus

7. Memorable words, phrases, key verses
Psalm 18:5-6 The cords of the grave coiled around me;
the snares of death confronted me. In my distress I
called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help.
From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came
before him, into his ears.
Psalm 18: 16-17 He reached down from on high and
took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. He
rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes,
who were too strong for me.

8. Memorable words, phrases, key verses
Psalm 18 rock, fortress, shield, buckler, arrows,
fortress
( many military terms used for God’s defense
of those who hope in him )

9. Memorable words, phrases, key verses
Psalm 18:30-31 ‘his way is perfect’ and ‘he makes my
way blameless’
( dependence on God and the fruit of having
God as ‘refuge’ )

10. The occasion of Psalm 18 is David’s final rescue from
Saul who pursues David for years.
Images include:
• a death like experience and deliverance
• the earth reeling,
• God flying to David’s help riding on a cherub,
• bending the heavens to come down.
• the humble being delivered
• the proud opposed
• made ‘me’ head of nations.
As many Psalms, Psalm 18 is written more as
hyperbole for David and applying stronger and more
literally to Jesus.
Color code:
As quoted in NT
Pointing to Jesus

11. A tempest for the proud
but gentleness for the humble
Concerning God:
• worthy to be praised
• darkness under his feet
• hears prayer from heaven
• His way is perfect
• Steadfast love for His anointed
Even when God comes for judgement, God remains
hidden and unseen (in darkness)

12. In the closing verse (Ps 18:50), David reminds the readers
that God promised him always have a son to reign
according to His steadfast love

13. The 2nd super epic Psalm is spoken by Jesus
on the cross

14. book 1
Psalm 22 - A suffering servant for the nations
It’s darkest before the sunrise
In the title there is a reference to the hind of the dawn. It may
be a dark time but the sun is about to rise.
Psalm 22 is quoted by Jesus on the cross with “My God, My God,
why have you forsaken me” The doubling of ‘my God’ is a cry of
familiarity. It also is one of the few prayers of Jesus where he
does not address God directly as Father
Dark suffering yet points to the future. Posterity will serve Him and
a people yet to be born will serve Him.
The triad of Psalms 22, 23 and 24 together point to various aspects
of Jesus as prophet, priest and king or some prefer saying the
cross, the crook and the crown (shepherd’s crook)
Color code:
As quoted in NT
Pointing to Jesus

15. Memorable words, phrases, key verses
Psalm 22:6 I can count all my bones
they glare and stare at me
( Reminders of Jesus sufferings)
Psalm 22:1 My God, my God why have you
forsaken me…

16. Memorable words, phrases, key verses
Psalm 22:9 … from my mothers womb you have been my
God…
( There is an illusion here to Jesus in the womb
pre birth )

17. Memorable words, phrases, key verses
Psalm 22:6 But I am a worm and not a man,
scorned by everyone, despised by the people.
( This is an unusual worm - a ‘Tola’ meaning scarlet -
which dies in a tree and is crushed for its red dye. )

18. Memorable words, phrases, key verses
Psalm 22:22 I will tell of your name to my brethren…
( a victory over death and as Hebrews says
‘ he is not ashamed to call them brothers )

19. Memorable words, phrases, key verses
Psalm 22:27 All the ends of the earth shall remember
and turn to the Lord and all the families of the earth
shall worship you
( a fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham
to bless every family on earth )

20. In the closing verses (Ps 22:30-31), Posterity shall serve him
They shall come and proclaim His righteousness to a
people yet unborn
that He has done it!

21. The 3rd super epic Psalm is quoted regarding
the trial of Jesus

22. book 1
Psalm 35 - the trials and dangers of Jesus
Psalm 35 points to Jesus accusers with many witnesses coming
forward. The notion of being hated without a cause is also referred
to in the New Testament
“They do not speak peace for those who are quiet in the land’
resonates with ‘the meek shall inherit the earth in both Psalms 25 and
37.
All my bones cry for help - the need is serious
Those delighting in the righteousness of Jesus will rejoice (vs 27)
Color code:
As quoted in NT
Pointing to Jesus

23. Most memorable words, phrases, key verses
Psalm 35:1-3 Contend, Lord, with those who contend
with me; fight against those who fight against me.
Take up shield and armor, arise and come to my aid.
Brandish spear and javelin against those who pursue
me. Say to me, “I am your salvation.”

24. Most memorable words, phrases, key verses
Psalm 35: 10 “All my bones shall say,
‘oh Lord who is like you’
delivering the poor
from him who is too strong for him
the poor and needy from him who robs him”
( in Psalm 22 ‘I could count all my bones’ in suffering
in Psalm 35 the writer both cries for help - vs 27 - and sings of future grace - vs 10- where
‘all my bones’ will be praising God)

25. In the closing verse (Ps 35:27-28),
Those who delight in My righteousness shout for joy
and speak of the righteousness of God

26. The 4th super epic Psalm is quoted
in the sermon on the mount

27. book 1
Psalm 37 - The meek shall inherit the earth
Psalm 37 is an acrostic which suggests meant to be learned
and memorized. Several times in the Psalm there is a reference
to the meek inheriting the earth which shows up in the sermon
on the mount, but this also occurs in Psalm 25 and 35
The Psalm is a call for patience when you see the wicked
apparently prospering.
God will give those who delight in Him the desires of their
hearts and guide them
The wicked will be transitory while the righteous will be the
ones who inherit the earth.
In fact, believers in Jesus are co heirs with Jesus
Color code:
As quoted in NT
Pointing to Jesus

28. Most memorable words, phrases, key verses
Psalm 37:1-2 Do not fret because of those who
are evil or be envious of those who do wrong;
for like the grass they will soon wither,
like green plants they will soon die away.
(This is a reoccurring theme of this Psalm 37 compares and contrasts with Psalm 73
in viewpoints and easily remembered since they are reflections numerically
of each other)

29. Most memorable words, phrases, key verses
Psalm 37:29 ‘…the righteous will inherit the
land…”
( Part of what leads to the sermon on the mount
with ‘The meek shall inherit the earth’ )

30. Most memorable words, phrases, key verses
Psalm 37:23-24 ‘The steps of a man are
established by the Lord when he delights in his
way, though he falls he shall not be cast
headlong.”
( The righteous may falter or fail morally at times but it will
not be his end and he will not be discarded by God. This is consistent with
‘the perseverance of the saints.’ )

31. In the closing verse (Ps 37:35-40), The Psalm is summed up
The wicked with perish, the righteous will endure

32. This group of super epic psalms sheds light on
how God will fulfill his promise to bless
the world though ‘the seed’ of Abraham.
Two ideas go together:
In the sufferings of Jesus people from
every family on earth will be blessed, remembering and
turning to the Lord ( Psalms 18 and 22)
In the work of Jesus the meek who are the fruit
of His work will ‘inherit the earth’ (Psalms 22, 25, 35, 37)

33. This group of super epic psalms sheds light on
how God will fulfill his promise to bless
the world though ‘the seed’ of Abraham.
Two more ideas go together:
Because Jesus suffered and ‘could count all His bones’
on the cross… (Psalm 22)
… ‘all my bones’ can depend on God
and praise God (Psalm 35: vs 10 and 27)
and

34. Fin’