When you read the Psalms, you read about God’s great goodness, faithfulness, and power. You read about David crying out to God in trouble. Then you read about the victory, strength, and blessing he longs for from God and receives.
When you read the Psalms, you may ask: is this only a poem, or does God really want to give this? Also for us?
This is an important question. Let us see how the writers of the New Testament used the Psalms. Did they see it as poetry, or as truth for today?
The New Testament refers to the Psalms very often. It is even the most quoted book of the Bible. There are about one hundred direct quotes. If you include the indirect references, you reach about 150 to 180.
About half of all Old Testament quotes in the New Testament come from the Psalms.
This tells us something important: the writers of the New Testament saw the Psalms as truth. So how God is described there is true. God is a good God who wants to bless us and protect us. And just like David, we may honor Him and worship Him.
As we close, let us read some beautiful promises from the Psalms that also apply to you today.
“The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” (Psalm 118:6; repeated in Hebrews 13:6)
“For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.” (Psalm 91:11–12; repeated in Matthew 4:6: the temptation in the wilderness)
“Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered.” (Psalm 32:1; repeated in Romans 4:7–8)
“But the meek shall inherit the earth, And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.” (Psalm 37:11; repeated in Matthew 5:5: the Sermon on the Mount)