The Greatest Of Weeks and the Longest of Psalms

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The NT shows repeatedly that the incarnation of Christ and especially His suffering and resurrection were long anticipated by the OT.  Therefore, we can meditate on the significance of Holy Week by considering the OT anticipations as well as the NT fulfillments.  There are a number of Psalms we may associate with Holy Week.  Psalms 16, 22, 89, 110…


Psalm 119 has a special place in our hearts, not only as the longest of the psalms, but as one that catalogues our own sufferings, cries for help, and longing for God in His Word.  This is a wonderful psalm to read against the backdrop of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection.  It seems to me that Jesus Christ is the only true Psalm 119 man.  His exemplification of the psalm shows up in numerous ways in the NT:


The psalm extols perfect obedience to God’s law:

  • “Blessed are those…who walk in the law of Yahweh…who also do no wrong…” (1-3)
  • “I have chosen the way of faithfulness, I set your rules before me” (20)
  • “I hasten and do not delay to keep your commandments” (60)

Jesus exemplifies this obedience:

  • “…I always do the things that are pleasing to Him…” John 8:29.  
  • “[He] in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:15
  • “He committed no sin…” 1 Peter 2:22 

Psalm 119 describes the life of flawless obedience—the NT declares that Jesus alone actually lived it.



The psalm depicts love for God and His Word:

  • “Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day.” (97)
  • “How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” (103)
  • “I find my delight in your commandments, which I love… I will meditate on your statutes.” (47-48)

Jesus is the epitome of this love:

  •   “I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father.” John 14:31
  • “I know him and I keep his word.” John 8:55
  • “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4

Psalm 119 presents love for God as expressed through delight in His Word.  In Christ, this love is perfect, constant, and visible—He not only treasures God’s Word, He obeys it fully and lives in unbroken love for the Father.



The psalm emphasizes the servant’s obedience in the face of death:

  • “For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke, yet I have not forgotten your statutes.” (83)
  • “They have almost made an end of me on earth, but I have not forsaken your precepts.” (87)
  • “The wicked have laid a snare for me, but I do not stray…” (110)

Christ’s obedience unto death was a hallmark of His incarnation: 

  • “He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death…” Philippians 2:8
  •  “…not my will, but yours, be done.” Luke 22:42
  • “I lay it down of my own accord.” John 10:18

Psalm 119 anticipates obedience under threat of death.  Christ fulfills it by walking righteously all the way to the cross.



The psalm records endurance through suffering:

  • “My soul clings to the dust…” (25)
  • “My soul melts away for sorrow…” (28)
  • “Trouble and anguish have found me out…” (143) 

Jesus suffered like no one else, yet finished the course set before Him:

  •  “...who for the joy set before Him endured the cross…” Hebrews 12:2
  • “When he suffered, he did not threaten…” 1 Peter 2:23
  • “...being in agony he prayed more earnestly…” Luke 22:44

 Psalm 119 gives us the inner language of suffering.  The NT shows us Christ as the greatest of sufferers and endurers.



The psalm prays for vindication due to the sufferer’s righteousness:

  • “Take away from me scorn and contempt, for I have kept your testimonies.” (22)
  • “I have done what is just and right; do not leave me to my oppressors.” (121)
  • “Look on my affliction and deliver me, for I do not forget your law.” (153)
  • “Consider how I love your precepts! Give me life, O Lord, according to your steadfast love.” (159)

The NT depicts the resurrection as the Father’s vindication of the Son:

  •  “God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.” Acts 2:24
  •  “[He] was declared to be the Son of God… by his resurrection.” Romans 1:4
  • “In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence.” Hebrews 5:7 

Psalm 119 assumes the righteous one ultimately will be upheld.  The resurrection of Christ is the decisive vindication of that righteousness.



The psalm describes trust in God for the preservation of life:

  • “…give me life according to your word.” (25) 
  • “My soul longs for your salvation; I hope in your word.” (81)
  • “In your steadfast love give me life…” (93).
  • “I am severely afflicted; give me life, O LORD, according to your word.” (107)

Jesus trusted the Father to save Him from death:

  •  “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” Luke 23:46
  • “[He] continued entrusting himself to Him who judged justly…” 1 Peter 2:23
  • “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you…” John 17:1
  • “He offered up prayers… to him who was able to save him from death…” Hebrews 5:7

Psalm 119 models hope in God’s preserving power.  Christ lived, died, and lived again in that trust.



Psalm 119 describes a kind of person.  The NT reveals that person is Jesus of Nazareth, God’s own Son.  As we continue to wait for Sunday, may we meditate on passages like Psalm 119, considering the great righteousness, love, suffering, faith, and triumph of Christ in accomplishing our salvation.


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