For each Psalm: superscription, the key lines, the New Testament citations, and the rough interval between composition and fulfillment.
Psalm 2 — The Anointed King
No superscription in the Hebrew text. Acts 4:25 attributes it to David by the mouth of the Holy Ghost.
Key Lines (KJV)
- Psalm 2:2
The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed,
- Psalm 2:7
I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.
- Psalm 2:9
Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.
New Testament Application
- Acts 4:25–26
Peter and John cite Psalm 2:1–2 directly and apply it to the conspiracy against Jesus by Herod, Pilate, the Gentiles, and the people of Israel.
- Acts 13:33
Paul cites Psalm 2:7 of Jesus's resurrection: "he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm."
- Hebrews 1:5
Psalm 2:7 applied to the Son's exaltation above angels.
- Hebrews 5:5
Psalm 2:7 applied again to Christ's appointment as high priest.
- Revelation 2:27
Psalm 2:9 applied to the overcomer ruling with Christ.
IntervalTraditional date: Davidic, c. 1000 BCE (Acts 4:25 attributes authorship to David). NT application: c. 30–95 CE. Interval: roughly 1,000 years.
Psalm 16 — The Holy One Not Abandoned to Decay
Michtam of David. Peter at Pentecost (Acts 2:29–31) argues David could not have been speaking of himself because David died and his tomb was still visible; therefore David spoke as a prophet of the Messiah.
Key Lines (KJV)
- Psalm 16:10
For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
- Psalm 16:11
Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
New Testament Application
- Acts 2:25–31
Peter cites Psalm 16:8–11 verbatim and argues it cannot refer to David: "He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption."
- Acts 13:35
Paul in Antioch makes the same argument from Psalm 16:10, contrasting David (whose body saw corruption) with the Messiah.
IntervalDavidic per superscription, c. 1000 BCE. NT citation: c. 30 CE. Interval: roughly 1,000 years.
Psalm 22 — The Crucified and Vindicated One
To the chief Musician upon Aijeleth Shahar, A Psalm of David. Cited by Jesus from the cross (Matthew 27:46 / Mark 15:34) and cross-referenced throughout the crucifixion narratives. Verse-by-verse correspondence table below.
Key Lines (KJV)
- Psalm 22:1
My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?
- Psalm 22:7
All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head,
- Psalm 22:8
He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.
- Psalm 22:14
I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.
- Psalm 22:15
My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.
- Psalm 22:16
For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.
- Psalm 22:18
They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.
- Psalm 22:22
I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.
New Testament Application
- Matthew 27:46
Jesus cites Psalm 22:1 from the cross: "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?"
- Matthew 27:39
Psalm 22:7 — passers-by wag their heads and mock.
- Matthew 27:43
Psalm 22:8 — "He trusted in God; let him deliver him now."
- John 19:28
Psalm 22:15 — "I thirst."
- John 19:24
Psalm 22:18 cited verbatim: "They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots."
- Hebrews 2:12
Psalm 22:22 applied to Christ's post-resurrection declaration.
IntervalDavidic per superscription, c. 1000 BCE. Crucifixion: c. 30–33 CE. Interval: roughly 1,000 years. Of note: the Septuagint translation of Psalm 22 is pre-Christian (3rd–2nd c. BCE), constraining any argument that the Psalm was shaped after the crucifixion narrative.
Psalm 23 — The Shepherd
A Psalm of David. The shepherd metaphor Jesus applies to himself (John 10:11, 14).
Key Lines (KJV)
- Psalm 23:1
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
- Psalm 23:4
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
New Testament Application
- John 10:11
Jesus: "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep."
- Hebrews 13:20
"Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant..."
- 1 Peter 5:4
Christ named the "chief Shepherd."
- Revelation 7:17
The Lamb as shepherd who leads the saints to living fountains of waters.
IntervalDavidic per superscription, c. 1000 BCE. NT application: c. 30–95 CE. Interval: roughly 1,000 years.
Psalm 40 — The Body Prepared
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. Hebrews 10 cites verses 6–8 as Christ's words at the incarnation.
Key Lines (KJV)
- Psalm 40:6
Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.
- Psalm 40:7
Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me,
- Psalm 40:8
I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.
New Testament Application
- Hebrews 10:5
Psalm 40:6 quoted (following the Septuagint reading "a body hast thou prepared me"): "Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me."
- Hebrews 10:7
Psalm 40:7–8 quoted as Christ's own words: "Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me) to do thy will, O God."
- Hebrews 10:10
The writer concludes: "by the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all."
IntervalDavidic per superscription, c. 1000 BCE. NT citation: Hebrews c. 60–90 CE. Interval: roughly 1,000 years. The LXX reading of v. 6 ("body prepared") differs from the MT ("ears opened"); Hebrews follows the LXX.
Psalm 45 — The Divine King
To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim, for the sons of Korah, Maschil, A Song of loves. Hebrews 1:8–9 cites verses 6–7 as spoken by the Father to the Son.
Key Lines (KJV)
- Psalm 45:6
Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.
- Psalm 45:7
Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
New Testament Application
- Hebrews 1:8
"But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom."
- Hebrews 1:9
"Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows."
IntervalSons-of-Korah composition, date uncertain (10th–6th c. BCE range per the conservative tradition). NT citation: Hebrews c. 60–90 CE. Interval: roughly 600–1,000 years.
Psalm 69 — Zeal and Vinegar
To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim, A Psalm of David. The NT applies several verses to Christ — the zeal for the Father's house, the gall and vinegar at the cross, the reproaches borne.
Key Lines (KJV)
- Psalm 69:4
They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of mine head:
- Psalm 69:9
For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me.
- Psalm 69:21
They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.
New Testament Application
- John 2:17
Disciples recall Psalm 69:9a at the temple cleansing: "The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up."
- John 15:25
Jesus cites Psalm 69:4 (also possibly 35:19): "They hated me without a cause."
- Romans 15:3
Paul cites Psalm 69:9b: "The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me."
- Matthew 27:34
At the cross: "They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall" — fulfilling Psalm 69:21.
- John 19:29
"They filled a sponge with vinegar... and put it to his mouth" — Psalm 69:21 fulfilled.
IntervalDavidic per superscription, c. 1000 BCE. NT application: c. 30–60 CE. Interval: roughly 1,000 years.
Psalm 110 — The Priest-King at God's Right Hand
A Psalm of David. Jesus explicitly cites it as Davidic and argues from it that the Messiah is David's Lord (Matthew 22:41–46). This is the Psalm most often quoted in the New Testament.
Key Lines (KJV)
- Psalm 110:1
The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
- Psalm 110:4
The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.
New Testament Application
- Matthew 22:44
Jesus cites Psalm 110:1 to the Pharisees: "If David then call him Lord, how is he his son?"
- Acts 2:34–35
Peter cites Psalm 110:1 of Christ's ascension to the right hand.
- Hebrews 1:13
Psalm 110:1 applied to Christ over the angels.
- Hebrews 5:6
Psalm 110:4 applied to Christ's priesthood.
- Hebrews 7:17
Psalm 110:4 re-applied: "Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec."
- Hebrews 10:12
Christ "sat down on the right hand of God" — Psalm 110:1 in action.
IntervalDavidic per superscription and per Jesus's own attribution (Matthew 22:43). c. 1000 BCE. NT citation: across Matthew, Acts, Hebrews. Interval: roughly 1,000 years. The Septuagint attests the Psalm pre-Christian.