Psalms

Psalm about Jesus Quoted by Scripture
Psalm 2 Paul Acts 13:30-34
Psalm 16 Peter Acts 2:22-34
Psalm 110 Jesus Matthew 22:41-46; Mark 12:35–37; Luke 20:40–44

Psalms written about Jesus

Psalm 2

Paul did not preach that Psalm 2 was not a historical document as some Trinitarians belief, but instead it was a prophecy about Jesus.

So Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said: ...

But God raised him (Jesus) from the dead, and for many days he appeared to those who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now his witnesses to the people. And we bring you the good news that what God promised to the fathers, this He has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus, as also it is written in the second Psalm,

‘You are my Son, today I have begotten you.’

And as for the fact that He raised him from the dead, no more to return to corruption.

-- Acts 13:16,30-34 (ESV)

Whether Paul meant that when someone is "raised from the dead", he could also be considered "begotten" or not does not matter, because at the time when Psalm 2 was written, Jesus was physically not born yet, neither was he "raised from the dead". Therefore, in both cases it was a prophetic future event.

It is obvious that all future leaders' lives would start with a birth. No need to prophecy that. So when the Psalmist explicitly state "today I have begotten you", then it means it has to be a special type of "birth" which more likely refers to Jesus resurrection as Paul pointed out.

Psalm 16

Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth... For David says concerning him,

‘I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken;
therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; my flesh also will dwell in hope.
For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let Your Holy One see corruption.
You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’

Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing.

-- Acts 2:22,25-34 (ESV)

and

And we bring you the good news that what God promised to the fathers, this He has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus...

Therefore He says also in another psalm,

‘You will not let Your Holy One see corruption.’

For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was laid with his fathers and saw corruption, but he whom God raised up did not see corruption. Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses.

Acts 13:32-33,35-39 (ESV)

Psalm 110

Now while the Pharisees were gathered together,

Jesus asked them a question, saying, “What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?” They said to him, “The son of David.” He said to them, “How is it then that David, in the Spirit, calls him Lord, saying,

‘The LORD (YHVH) said to my Lord (anodi, sit at My right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet’?

If then David calls him Lord, how is he his son?”

And no one was able to answer him a word, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions.

-- Matthew 22:41-46 (ESV); Mark 12:35–37; Luke 20:40–44

Jesus quoted Psalm 110 which implies YHVH was talking to him in that Psalm.

It is also worth noting the difference between "adoni" and "adonai":

The Bible in Psalm 110:1 actually gives the Messiah the title that never describes God. The word is adoni and in all of its 195 occurrences in the Old Testament it means a superior who is human (or occasionally angelic), created and not God. So Psalm 110:1 presents the clearest evidence that the Messiah is not God, but a supremely exalted man. -- Anthony Buzzard, ed., Focus on the Kingdom, Atlanta Bible College, Morrow, GA, March 2000), p. 3

The form adoni (“my lord”), a royal title (1 Sam. 29:8), is to be carefully distinguished from the divine title Adonai (“my Lord”) used of Yahweh. -- Geoffrey Bromiley, The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, MI, 1979)

Psalms often misquoted

Just because an author mentioned a Psalm, does not attribute the entire Psalm as a prophecy about Jesus. Some do, but some don't and the context is key.

The book of Hebrews misquote many Psalms by attributing the subject of the Psalm to Jesus when the Psalmist was clearly writing about someone else.

Psalm Quotation Subject implied to be Jesus Reason for misunderstanding
Psalm 8 Hebrews 2:5-8 Humans in general Could refer to Jesus, but not only Jesus
Psalm 18 - David Both David and Jesus ruled over the "gentiles"
Psalm 22 Matthew 27:46; Hebrews 2:11-12 David Jesus possibly repeated 1 line of David's words
Psalm 24 - YHVH The city of Jerusalem in Israel is confused with an eternal (symbolic?) "city"
Psalm 31 Luke 23:46 David Jesus used the same phrase as David to refer to death
Psalm 35 John 15:25 David Both David and Jesus "was hated without a cause"
Psalm 40 Hebrews 10:5-9 David Unknown author made an error
Psalm 45 Hebrews 1:8-9 David Unknown author made an error
Psalm 47 - YHVH The assumption is that only Jesus is the King who had been exalted
Psalm 68 Ephesians 4:8 Mountain of Bashan Paul implied it is Christ
Psalm 69 John 15:25; Acts 1:20 David Both David and Jesus "was hated without a cause"
Psalm 72 Matthew 2 Solomon Both Solomon and Jesus received expensive gifts
Psalm 78 Matthew 13:34-35 YHVH Fulfillment of prophecy does not mean Jesus is YHVH
Psalm 82 - Human kings Confusion cause by translating "elohim" (multiple kings) as "God"
Psalm 89 - David Both David and Jesus called God their "Father"
Psalm 91 Matthew 4:5-6 Anyone who takes shelter in the LORD It is not Jesus' words, but the devil's quotation
Psalm 97 Hebrews 1:6 YHVH Unknown author made an error
Psalm 102 Hebrews 1:10-12 YHVH Unknown author made an error
Psalm 109 Acts 1:20 David Peter applied a principals from the Psalms. It was not predictions about Jesus' betrayal.
Psalm 118 Mark 12:10; Matthew 21:2; Luke 20:17; Acts 4:11; 1 Peter 2:7 YHVH Jesus is mentioned, but the Psalm is mostly about YHVH

Psalm 8

The "son of man" could refer to Jesus, but there is no evidence that it only refers to Jesus.

Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have ordained strength, because of Your enemies, that You may silence the enemy and the avenger. -- Psalm 8:2 (NKJV)

Note the plurals. If this was written for Jesus only, it would have been singular.

You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands;
You have put all things under his feet,
All sheep and oxen (even the beasts of the field),
The birds of the air, and the fish of the sea
That pass through the paths of the seas.

-- Psalm 8:6-8 (NKJV)

Many humans have dominion over the animals and the sea. These attributes are not unique to Jesus only.

Psalm 18

Psalm 18 is often misquoted as a reference to Jesus, because the king is "among the Gentiles", but David clearly indicated that this Psalm was written about himself.

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David the servant of the LORD, who spoke to the LORD the words of this song on the day that the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. And he said:

I will love You, O LORD (YHVH), my strength. -- Psalm 18:1

...

The LORD (YHVH) lives!
Blessed be my Rock!
Let the God of my salvation be exalted.
It is God who avenges me,
And subdues the peoples under me;
He delivers me from my enemies.
You also lift me up above those who rise against me;
You have delivered me from the violent man.
Therefore I will give thanks to You, O LORD, among the Gentiles,
And sing praises to Your name.
Great deliverance He gives to His king,
And shows mercy to His anointed,
To David and his descendants forevermore.

-- Psalm 18:1, 46-50 (ESV)

Psalm 22

Psalm 22 is often misquoted as Jesus words, because he used the same words on the cross:

And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” -- Matthew 27:46 (ESV)

Just because Jesus quoted Psalm 22:1, does not mean Psalm 22 prophetically applies only to him. Anyone can feel forsaken by God.

However, in Psalm 22 is written:

To the Chief Musician. Set to “The Deer of the Dawn.” A Psalm of David.

My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?
Why are You so far from helping Me,
And from the words of My groaning?
O My God, I cry in the daytime, but You do not hear;
And in the night season, and am not silent.

-- Psalm 22:1-2 (NKJV)

Note that the word "season" is missing from the original manuscript.

This cannot be a prophecy of Jesus' words on the cross, because he died before the sun set. (Mark 15:42-45)

Our fathers trusted in You -- Psalm 22:4 (NKJV)

Jesus only had one Father.

But You, O LORD, do not be far from me;
O my Strength, hasten to help me!
Deliver me from the sword,
My precious life from the power of the dog.
Save me from the lion’s mouth
And from the horns of the wild oxen!
You have answered me.

I will declare Your name to my brethren;
In the midst of the assembly I will praise You.

-- Psalm 22:19-22 (NKJV)

The speaker of Psalm request that God should deliver him "from the sword", Jesus' death was not by sword but by crucifixion. He also mentions "the power of the dog", "the lion's mounth", "the horns of the wild oxen". None of these were ever a threat to Jesus.

Psalm 24

The earth is the LORD’s, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein. For He has founded it upon the seas, And established it upon the waters.

Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD?
Or who may stand in His holy place?
He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol,
Nor sworn deceitfully.
He shall receive blessing from the LORD,
And righteousness from the God of his salvation.
This is Jacob, the generation of those who seek Him, Who seek Your face. Selah

Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you 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 you gates! Lift up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in.

Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, He is the King of glory.

-- Psalms 24:1-10 (NKJV)

Some claim that this Psalm refers to Jesus that entered Jerusalem. This would mean that Jesus is the LORD of hosts Who "founded" the earth and Who owns "the earth and all its fullness". However, Psalm 24:7 mentions "everlasting doors". We know the doors of Jerusalem were destroyed by several armies through history and that they are definitely not everlasting. This means David was not writing about the city Jerusalem located in Israel, but instead of something eternal or symbolic. Therefore, it does not proof that "the King" in this context is Jesus.

Psalm 31

It is often believed that Psalm 31 is a prophecy about Jesus because they used the same words:

Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said,

“Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!”

And having said this he breathed his last.

-- Luke 23:46 (ESV)

These words align with Psalm 31:5, however, just because Psalm 31 also mentions something about committing a spirit to the Lord does not mean it was a quotation from that Psalm.

TO THE CHOIRMASTER. A PSALM OF DAVID.

In You, O LORD, do I take refuge;
let me never be put to shame;
in Your righteousness deliver me!
Incline Your ear to me;
rescue me speedily!
Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me!
For You are my rock and my fortress; and for Your name's sake you lead me and guide me;
You take me out of the net they have hidden for me, for You are my refuge.
Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God.

...

Blessed be the LORD, for He has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me when I was in a besieged city.

-- Psalm 31:1-5,21

Why Psalm 31 cannot be about Jesus:

  • David request that he should not be put to shame. Jesus never requested that.
  • David request that he should be rescued speedily. Jesus never requested that.
  • David request that the LORD should save him from his enemies. Jesus knew he was to be sacrificed. This was not an ambush on Jesus, it was part of his plan.
  • David wrote that the LORD took him "out of the net", which was not the case for Jesus.
  • Jesus was never in a "besieged city".

Psalm 40

Therefore, when He came into the world, He said:

“Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but a body You have prepared for Me. In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You had no pleasure.
Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come (in the volume of the book it is written of Me) to do Your will, O God.’ ”

Previously saying, “Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them” (which are offered according to the law), then He said, “Behold, I have come to do Your will, God.” He takes away the first that He may establish the second.

-- Hebrews 10:5-9 (NKJV)

This could not have been God's words, because God did not "came into the world", it was the Son of God (Jesus) that "came into the world". This implies that these were Jesus' words when the author quotes Psalm 40:6-8

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.

I awaited patiently for the LORD; And He inclined to me, and heard my cry.

...

Blessed is that man who makes the LORD his trust, and does not respect the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.

...

Sacrifice and offering You did not desire; My ears You have opened. Burnt offering and sin offering You did not require. Then I said, “Behold, I come; In the scroll of the book it is written of me. I delight to do Your will, O my God, And Your law is within my heart.”

-- Psalm 40:1,4,6-8

However, these are David's words, not Jesus' words.

My iniquities have overtaken me, so that I am not able to look up; -- Psalm 40:12 (NKJV)

Jesus had no iniquities.

Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me; O LORD, make haste to help me! -- Psalm 40:13 (NKJV)

Jesus never requested the LORD to rush his crucifixion.

Let them be ashamed and brought to mutual confusion who seek to destroy my life; Let them be driven backward and brought to dishonor who wish me evil. Let them be confounded because of their shame, who say to me, “Aha, aha!”

-- Psalm 40:13-15 (NKJV)

Jesus never request this from His Father to do to his enemies.

But I am poor and needy; Yet the Lord thinks upon me. You are my help and my deliverer; Do not delay, O my God.

-- Psalms 40:17 (NKJV)

Jesus was neither poor nor needy not did he ever require deliverance.

Psalm 45

But of the Son he says,

“Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.”

-- Hebrews 1:8-9 (ESV)

Hebrews 1:8-9 correctly quotes Psalms 45:6-7, but Psalms 45 was written by the sons of Korah, and they might not even be referring to Jesus at all.

To the Chief Musician. Set to “The Lilies.” A Contemplation of the sons of Korah. A Song of Love.

My heart is overflowing with a good theme;
I recite my composition concerning the king; My tongue is the pen of a ready writer.
You are fairer than the sons of men; Grace is poured upon your lips;
Therefore God has blessed You forever.

Gird your sword upon your thigh, O mighty One,
With your glory and your majesty.
And in your majesty ride prosperously because of truth, humility, and righteousness;
And your right hand shall teach you awesome things.
Your arrows are sharp in the heart of the king’s enemies;
The peoples fall under you.

Your throne, O God, is forever and ever;
A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of your kingdom.
You love righteousness and hate wickedness;
Therefore God, your God, has anointed you
With the oil of gladness more than your companions.

All your garments are scented with myrrh and aloes and cassia,
Out of the ivory palaces, by which they have made you glad.
Kings’ daughters are among your honorable women;
At your right hand stands the queen in gold from Ophir.

Listen, O daughter,
Consider and incline your ear;
Forget your own people also, and your father’s house;
So the king will greatly desire your beauty;
Because He is your Lord, worship Him.

And the daughter of Tyre will come with a gift;
The rich among the people will seek your favor.
The royal daughter is all glorious within the palace;
Her clothing is woven with gold.
She shall be brought to the king in robes of many colors;
The virgins, her companions who follow her, shall be brought to you.
With gladness and rejoicing they shall be brought;
They shall enter the king’s palace.

Instead of your fathers shall be your sons,
Whom you shall make princes in all the earth.
I will make your name to be remembered in all generations;
Therefore the people shall praise you forever and ever.

-- Psalms 45:1-17 (NKJV)

Note that capital letters were added to pronounce despite the preface of ESV states that they do not do that. For clarity, I have removed the capital letters as the original Hebrew did not had capital letters anyway.

This is "a song of love" and not a prophecy as implied by the author of Hebrews.

  • A Song of Love
  • I recite my composition concerning the king
  • You are fairerhandsome than the sons of men; Gracecharm is poured upon your lips ("fairer" could mean "handsome" and "grace" could mean "charm" according to the Strong's Concordance)
  • Listen, O daughter... so the king will greatly desire your beauty
  • She shall be brought to the king in robes of many colors
  • The daughter of Tyre will come with a gift
  • She shall be brought to the king in robes of many colors
  • *The virgins, *her companions who follow her, shall be brought to you
  • They shall enter the king’s palace

Jesus was not rich, handsome or charming:

You are handsome than the sons of men; Charm is poured upon your lips. -- Psalms 45:2

The rich among the people will seek your favor. -- Psalms 45:12

vs

He had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. -- Isaiah 53:2 (ESV)

The crowd answered, “You have a demon! Who is seeking to kill you?”

Jesus answered them, “I did one work, and you all marvel at it... Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.” -- John 7:20-24 (ESV)

Jesus is not taught by men, and much less nobody taught Jesus how to fight:

Your right hand shall teach you -- Psalms 45:4

Jesus do not fight with a sword and arrows:

Gird your sword upon your thigh... Your arrows are sharp in the heart of the king’s enemies; The peoples fall under you. -- Psalms 45:3,5

This king has a God:

Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness more than your companions. -- Psalms 45:7

If the king's daughters are believers, then who are the honorable women?

Kings’ daughters are among your honorable women -- Psalms 45:9

If the bride (supposedly the believers) is about to be introduced to her king, then who is the other queen?

At Your right hand stands the queen in gold from Ophir. -- Psalms 45:9

If this Psalm is meant to be read as a symbolic prophecy, then why is the bride addressed as the "daughter of Tyre"?

And the daughter of Tyre will come with a gift;
The rich among the people will seek your favor.
The royal daughter is all glorious within the palace;
Her clothing is woven with gold.
She shall be brought to the King in robes of many colors;

-- Psalms 45:12-14

This king has many "fathers", Jesus only had one Father. This king had authority over his "fathers", while Jesus submitted under the authority of his Father:

Instead of your fathers shall be your sons, whom you shall make princes in all the earth. -- Psalms 45:16

Psalm 47

Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples! Shout to God with the voice of triumph! The LORD Most High is awesome;
He is a great King over all the earth.
He will subdue the peoples under us,
And the nations under our feet.
He will choose our inheritance for us,
The excellence of Jacob whom He loves.
Selah

God has gone up with a shout,
The LORD with the sound of a trumpet.
Sing praises to God, sing praises!
Sing praises to our King, sing praises!
For God is the King of all the earth;
Sing praises with understanding.
God reigns over the nations;
God sits on His holy throne.
The princes of the people have gathered together,
The people of the God of Abraham.
For the shields of the earth belong to God;
He is greatly exalted.

-- Psalms 47:2-9 (NKJV)

This Psalm clearly states that "the LORD" (YHVH) is "a great King over all the earth" and is "God", however the Psalm ends with "He is greatly exalted." We also know that Jesus was considered "a great King over all the earth" and that Jesus was "exalted" by God, therefore some implies that Jesus is "the LORD" Who is "God".

However, it does not make sense that God has to exalt Himself, and it is also unlikely that a nation who believed in only one God exist would understand that the Psalm meant that one God exalted another God. The only option remaining is that "the earth" that "belong to God" is "exalting" God.

The Hebrew word translated as "exalted" means:

Strong's Concordance
Original Word עָלָה
Part of Speech Verb
Transliteration alah
Phonetic Spelling (aw-law')
Definition to go up, ascend, climb

It is also the same word used in:

For You, LORD, are most high above all the earth; You are exalted far above all gods. -- Psalms 97:9 (NKJV)

In this context it means that God must be figuratively elevated above all things that could be considered important such that God should be the most important God of "the earth". This view also aligns with Psalm 47:1-2 where the sons of Korah ask "all you people" to exalt "the LORD Most High".

Psalm 68

Paul supposedly quote:

Therefore it says,

“When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.”

(In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.)

-- Ephesians 4:8

This verse does not fit into the context of the surrounding verses as pointed out by the German scholar named Ferdinand Christian Baur.

Psalms 68:18 refers to the "mountain of God, mountain of Bashan, many-peaked mountain and the mountain of Bashan" (Psalms 68:15), while in Paul supposedly refers to Christ.

Psalms 68:18 is actually:

You ascended on high, leading a host of captives in your train and receiving gifts among men, even among the rebellious, that the LORD God may dwell there. -- Psalms 68:18 (ESV)

While the version in Psalm "received" gifts, Paul's version supposedly "gave".

Psalm 78

Matthew wrote:

All these things Jesus said to the crowds in parables; indeed, he said nothing to them without a parable. This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet:

“I will open my mouth in parables;
I will utter what has been hidden since the foundation of the world.”

-- Matthew 13:34-35 (ESV)

Which is a quote from Psalms 78:

A MASKIL OF ASAPH.

Give ear, O my people, to my teaching;
incline your ears to the words of my mouth!

I will open my mouth in a parable;
I will utter dark sayings from of old, things that we have heard and known, that our fathers have told us.

We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the LORD, and his might, and the wonders that he has done.

-- Psalms 78:1-4 (ESV)

If this prophecy is truly a fulfillment as Matthew claimed, then

  • it either means the Father (LORD) spoke through Jesus with parables so that the prophecy could be fulfilled or
  • it might be Jesus himself speaking through the prophet Asaph in Psalms 78.

Which ever way you reason about it, the Psalms 78 is not about Jesus but about a prophet (which could be Jesus himself) that tells "the coming generations the glorious deeds of the LORD (YHVH)".

Psalm 82

This Psalm was quoted by Jesus himself:

Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your Law, 'I said, you are gods'? If he called them gods to whom the word of God came — and Scripture cannot be broken — do you say of him whom the Father consecrated and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God? -- John 10:34-36 (ESV)

Most English translations of Psalms 82 is very confusing because different words are translated to "God". For clarity, I added the original Hebrew words based on Bible Hub's Interlinear Bible:

God [’ĕlō·hîm] has taken his place in the divine [’êl;] council; in the midst of the gods [’ĕ·lō·hîm] he holds judgment:

“How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Selah

Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”

They have neither knowledge nor understanding, they walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken.

I said, “You are gods [’ĕ·lō·hîm], sons of the Most High [‘el·yō·wn], all of you; nevertheless, like men you shall die, and fall like any prince.”

Arise, O God [’ĕ·lō·hîm], judge the earth; for you shall inherit all the nations! -- Psalms 82 (ESV)

The Scriptures version of the same Psalm reads:

Elohim stands in the congregation of Ěl; He judges in the midst of the elohim.

How long would you judge perversely, and show partiality to the wrong? Selah.

Give right-ruling to the poor and fatherless, do right to the afflicted and needy. Rescue the poor and needy; Deliver them from the hand of the wrong.

They do not know, nor do they understand, they walk about in darkness. All the foundations of the earth are shaken.

I, I said, “You are elohim, and all of you are sons of the Most High. But as men you die, and fall as one of the heads.

Arise, O Elohim, judge the earth, for You shall possess all the nations.

-- Tehillim/Psalms 82 (TS2009)

How different denominations interpret these scriptures:

  • Those who claim "Jesus is God" would quote this as proof that Jesus is God, because they reason that Jesus was defending himself that he has the right to be called "God" because Psalms 82 says so. "Arise, O God" could be linked to Jesus that had to be resurrected, "judge the earth" could be linked to Jesus forgiving sin or his second coming. If Jesus is already God he does not need to "inherit" anything, but that part is usually ignored. Usually they would consider the other "elohim" (gods or mighty) to be the angels or the kings of the earth ("fall like any prince/leader").
  • Those who claim "Jesus is not God" would also quote these same scriptures, because they reason that Jesus was correcting his accusers by telling them that he only claimed to be "the Son of God". Additionally, Jesus also quoted Psalms 82 to point out to his accusations that the Psalmist called normal humans "gods" and that was not considered "blasphemy". Therefore, his accusers could only accuse Jesus of "blasphemy" if he claimed to be "the Most High God" (‘el·yō·wn). So if this "Elohim" refers to Jesus, then the Psalm would mean something like:

Jesus, the Son of God stand in the congregation of God's other sons.
Jesus judges in the presence of the Most High God.
Then the psalmist request for judgement because of all the evil done to God's sons.
Then the psalmist speaks to Jesus and the congregation and says that Jesus and all the other are sons of the Most High God, but everyone will die.
Then the psalmist request that Jesus should take his position, judge the earth and possess (or inherit) all the nations.

The problem with both these interpretations are that it places the Psalmist into an arrogant position to instruct God or Jesus how to run His Kingdom.

  • The simplest interpretation is that the Psalmist was requesting God to judge the bad kings of the earth. Then the Psalm would mean something like:

Kings stand in the congregation of God; God judges in the midst of the kings. Then the psalmist request for judgement from God because of all these kings do to people. Then the psalmist warn the kings and tell them not be arrogant because of their royal family ties, because they will die like all other people. Then the psalmist request the kings to judge (rule) the earth fairly so that they could be prosperous.

Psalm 89

Psalms 89 contains prophecies about the seed of David that shall "endure forever", but the Psalm itself it not about Jesus.

Just because the king called God's "my Father" does not mean that the king is Jesus. According to Jesus, all believers who live in righteousness with God is supposed to call Him "Father".

This king also had sons who should not "forsake God's law". Jesus had no children.

The Psalm is addressed to David:

A Contemplation of Ethan the Ezrahite.

I will sing of the mercies of the LORD forever;
With my mouth will I make known Your faithfulness to all generations.
For I have said, “Mercy shall be built up forever;
Your faithfulness You shall establish in the very heavens.
I have made a covenant with My chosen,
I have sworn to My servant David:
‘Your seed I will establish forever,
And build up your throne to all generations.’ ”

...

Then You spoke in a vision to Your holy one, And said:

“I have given help to one who is mighty;
I have exalted one chosen from the people.
I have found My servant David;
With My holy oil I have anointed him,
With whom My hand shall be established;
Also My arm shall strengthen him.
The enemy shall not outwit him,
Nor the son of wickedness afflict him.
I will beat down his foes before his face,
And plague those who hate him.
But My faithfulness and My mercy shall be with him,
And in My name his horn shall be exalted.
Also I will set his hand over the sea,
And his right hand over the rivers.
He shall cry to Me, ‘You are my Father,
My God, and the rock of my salvation.’
Also I will make him My firstborn,
The highest of the kings of the earth.
My mercy I will keep for him forever,
And My covenant shall stand firm with him.
His seed also I will make to endure forever,
And his throne as the days of heaven.
If his sons forsake My law
And do not walk in My judgments,
If they break My statutes
And do not keep My commandments,
Then I will punish their transgression with the rod,
And their iniquity with stripes.
Nevertheless My lovingkindness I will not utterly take from him,
Nor allow My faithfulness to fail.
My covenant I will not break,
Nor alter the word that has gone out of My lips.
Once I have sworn by My holiness;
I will not lie to David:
His seed shall endure forever,
And his throne as the sun before Me;
It shall be established forever like the moon,
Even like the faithful witness in the sky.”

-- Psalms 89:1-4, 19-37 (NKJV)

Psalm 91

Just because Satan quoted Psalms 91 to Jesus, does not mean Psalms 91 was written about Jesus:

Then the devil took him (Jesus) to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written,

‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ (Psalm 91:11-12)

and

‘On their hands they will bear you up, (Psalm 91:12)
lest you strike your foot against a stone.’

-- Matthew 4:5-6 (ESV)

Psalms 91 was written for any believer who "dwells in the shelter of the Most High":

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. -- Psalms 91:1 (ESV)

Psalms 91 closes with the words:

With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation. -- Psalms 91:16 (ESV)

Jesus did not have a "long life" on earth, and he also did not require "salvation".

Psalm 97

But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says:

“Let all the angels of God worship Him.”

-- Hebrews 1:6 (NKJV)

... contradicts ...

The devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.

And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God and Him only shall you serve.’* ”

-- Matthew 4:8-10 (ESV), Luke 4:8

The angels are supposed to worship the LORD (YHVH) and not Jesus:

For I will proclaim the name of the LORD (Yahweh); ascribe greatness to our God! ... For the LORD (Yahweh) will vindicate His people ... “Rejoice with Him, O heavens; bow down to Him, all gods ...

-- Deuteronomy 32:3,36,43 (ESV)

The finally Psalms 97 which refers to the LORD (YHVH) and not to Jesus:

The mountains melt like wax before the LORD (YHVH) before the Lord of all the earth. The heavens proclaim his righteousness, and all the peoples see His glory.

All worshipers of images are put to shame, who make their boast in worthless idols; worship Him, all you gods!

Zion hears and is glad, and the daughters of Judah rejoice, because of your judgments, O LORD (YHVH).

Psalms 97:5-8 (ESV)

Psalm 102

“You, LORD, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the work of Your hands. They will perish, but You remain; And they will all grow old like a garment; Like a cloak You will fold them up, And they will be changed. But You are the same, And Your years will not fail.”

-- Hebrews 1:10-12 (NKJV)

The author of Hebrews seems to quote Psalms 102, but Psalms 102 addresses YHVH and not Jesus.

Hear my prayer, O LORD (YHVH) -- Psalms 102:1 (NKJV)

The passage that the author seems to quote is:

When the peoples are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the LORD (YHVH).

He weakened my strength in the way; He shortened my days. I said, “O my God, Do not take me away in the midst of my days; Your years are throughout all generations.

Of old You laid the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the work of Your hands. They will perish, but You will endure; Yes, they will all grow old like a garment; Like a cloak You will change them, And they will be changed. But You are the same, And Your years will have no end.

-- Psalms 102:22-27 (NKJV)

The author of the Psalm is clearly addressing YHVH and not "the Son" as the author of Hebrews implies, unless the author intentionally did this to imply that the Son is YHVH.

Psalm 109

Peter applied a principal (Acts 1:20) to validate his decision to appoint someone else in the office of Judas Iscariot. This does not mean that Psalm 109 was written by Jesus himself:

Be not silent, O God of my praise!
For wicked and deceitful mouths are opened against me, speaking against me with lying tongues.
They encircle me with words of hate, and attack me without cause.
In return for my love they accuse me, but I give myself to prayer.
So they reward me evil for good, and hatred for my love.

Appoint a wicked man against him; let an accuser stand at his right hand.
When he is tried, let him come forth guilty; let his prayer be counted as sin!
May his days be few; may another take his office! May his children be fatherless and his wife a widow! May his children wander about and beg, seeking food far from the ruins they inhabit! May the creditor seize all that he has; may strangers plunder the fruits of his toil! Let there be none to extend kindness to him, nor any to pity his fatherless children! May his posterity be cut off; may his name be blotted out in the second generation! May the iniquity of his fathers be remembered before the LORD, and let not the sin of his mother be blotted out! Let them be before the LORD continually, that he may cut off the memory of them from the earth!

...

Help me, O LORD my God! Save me according to your steadfast love!

-- Psalm 109:1-15,26 (ESV)

Psalm 109 is written in first person as David request God to save him. Jesus never cursed anyone this way nor did Jesus asked God to save him from a wicked person.

Psalm 118

Psalms 118 mentions Jesus, but the entire Psalm is not written about Jesus:

Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures:

‘The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;
this was the Lord’s doing,
and it is marvelous in our eyes’?

-- Mark 12:10; Matthew 21:2; Luke 20:17; Acts 4:11; 1 Peter 2:7

Just because Jesus quoted a portion of Psalms 118, does not mean that the entire Psalm was written about him.

The entire Psalm is written about the LORD (YHVH) and why He is considered "good".

In the context of Psalms 118, "the stone" is a separate person from "the LORD" because "this was the LORD's doing" to promote "the stone which the builders rejected" as "the chief cornerstone".

Oh, give thanks to the LORD (YHVH), for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever. Psalms 118:1

...

This is the gate of the LORD (YHVH),
Through which the righteous shall enter.
I will praise You,
For You have answered me,
And have become my salvation.

The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief cornerstone.
This was the LORD’s doing;
It is marvelous in our eyes.

This is the day the LORD has made;
We will rejoice and be glad in it.

Save now, I pray, O LORD;
O LORD, I pray, send now prosperity.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD!
We have blessed you from the house of the LORD.
God is the LORD,
And He has given us light;
Bind the sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar.
You are my God, and I will praise You;
You are my God, I will exalt You.
Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever.

-- Psalms 118:1, 20-29 (NKJV)