Christ in the Psalms — E.A. Johnston

Christ’s Attributes in Psalms 22–24

As we are learning the Psalms, I want to give you a little memory exercise, friends, which will help you to better remember the three Psalms of our study this afternoon. I want to take some time, friends, to explore the attributes of Christ as seen in the book of Psalms, in particular, Psalm 22, 23, and 24.

The Cross, Crook, and Crown

Psalm 22 speaks of the cross of a Savior. Psalm 23 speaks of the crook of a shepherd. And Psalm 24 speaks of the crown of a sovereign. We will explore each of these attributes of Christ one by one. For it is through the cross of a Savior, He demonstrates His sacrifice for us.

Through the crook of a shepherd, He demonstrates His care over us. And through the crown of a sovereign, He demonstrates His providence over us. In this message, we will look at the cost of the cross, the care of the crook, and the covenant of the crown.

Psalm 22 and Christ the Suffering Redeemer

In Psalm 22, we see this aspect of Christ our Redeemer. We see the suffering Savior in the following verses. Let me read them to us now, friends. Here now is the Word of God, and may the Spirit of the Lord attend the reading of His Holy Word.

Psalm 22 is where we'll begin. And Psalm 22 is a prophetic psalm which speaks of the man of sorrows. Look at verse 1. Now look at verses 6 through 8. He trusted on the Lord that He would deliver him. Let Him deliver him, seeing he delighted in Him.

Now, friends, look at verses 16 through 18. So we see that Psalm 22 speaks of the cross of the Savior. Psalm 23 speaks of the crook of the shepherd. We see that loving care, friends. So we see the cost of the cross, the care of the crook.

Through the cross of a Savior, He demonstrates His sacrifice for us. Through the crook of a shepherd, He demonstrates His care over us. And through the crown of a sovereign, He demonstrates His providence over us.

Psalm 24 and Christ the Sovereign King

We see the cost of the cross, the care of the crook, and the covenant of the crown. Look at Psalm 24 now, friends, in verse 3 and following, as it speaks of the King of kings. Why, this speaks of His majesty, His throne room, majesty and authority.

Look at verses 7 through 9. Ye lift up, ye everlasting doors, and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O ye gates, even lift them up.

Ye everlasting doors, and the King of glory shall come in. This psalm speaks of a sovereign King, the covenant-keeping God of the Bible. In these three choice psalms, 22 through 24, we see the cost of the cross, the care of the crook, the covenant of the crown.

Christ as Savior, Shepherd, and Sovereign

We see the attributes of Christ Jesus our Lord in that, through the cross of a Savior, He demonstrates His sacrifice for us. Through the crook of the shepherd, He demonstrates His care over us. And through the crown of a sovereign, He demonstrates His providence over us.

These three attributes, friends, are seen in these three psalms of our precious Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, will hopefully stay in our memory better now as we reflect on Him through the cross, the crook and the crown.

Prayer of Surrender to Christ’s Lordship

Join me now in this prayer. Lord Jesus, You are my Savior, Shepherd, and my Sovereign. You redeemed me. You lead me. You reign over me. Dear Savior, Lord, help me to understand the price You paid at Calvary, how You suffered on that terrible cross for me.

Let me see Your blood running down that tree. Let me be more thankful for Your sacrifice for me. Let others see Jesus in me. Dear Shepherd, may all my cares be laid on Thee. May I rest in Your shepherd care over me.

And though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I know that Thou art with me. Lead me, guide me, strengthen me. Dear Sovereign, Lord and King, I gladly surrender all to Thee. Rule and reign in my life, Lord Jesus, with all Your majesty and throne-room authority.

I rest in Your redemption as my Savior. I walk under Your care as my Shepherd. As I surrender all I am and all I have to Your rule and authority and Lordship as I serve my Sovereign King. Amen.