The Words of the Son of God - The Obedient Servant

Psalm 17

A Prayer of David.

Hear a just cause, O LORD; attend to my cry!

Give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit!

From your presence let my vindication come!

Let your eyes behold the right!

You have tried my heart, you have visited me by night,

you have tested me, and you will find nothing;

I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress.

With regard to the works of man, by the word of your lips

I have avoided the ways of the violent.

My steps have held fast to your paths;

my feet have not slipped.

I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God;

incline your ear to me; hear my words.

Wondrously show your steadfast love,

O Savior of those who seek refuge

from their adversaries at your right hand.

Keep me as the apple of your eye;

hide me in the shadow of your wings,

from the wicked who do me violence,

my deadly enemies who surround me.

They close their hearts to pity;

with their mouths they speak arrogantly.

They have now surrounded our steps;

they set their eyes to cast us to the ground.

He is like a lion eager to tear,

as a young lion lurking in ambush.

Arise, O LORD! Confront him, subdue him!

Deliver my soul from the wicked by your sword,

from men by your hand, O LORD,

from men of the world whose portion is in this life.

You fill their womb with treasure;

they are satisfied with children,

and they leave their abundance to their infants.

As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness;

when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness. (ESV)

“The words of the Psalms are the words of the Son of God. What the Son had declared to his people through the Spirit in the Psalms of the Old Testament he now takes to his (human) lips as he makes use of the words that he himself brought about through the experiences, trials, joys, and sufferings of his servants. What an amazing thought that Christ should prepare words for himself to use in his own prayers.” - The Prayers of Jesus by Mark Jones.

What’s true of the Psalms is true of all scripture. All scripture is God-breathed. Whatever Jesus said on this earth to fulfill prophecy were words that were written through the work of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament. Think about the time that elapsed ( approximately 700 years) between Isaiah’s prophecy and Jesus’s incarnation. We don’t know when Jesus knew various things such as the Father’s plan of salvation, when his incarnation would take place, etc. The Bible simply doesn’t tell us.

It’s incredible to think that Jesus went from being in Heaven with the Father to being born in a manger, completely helpless and dependent on Mary and Joseph. He came to serve rather than to be served. He continues to do his greatest Kingdom work through those who put their faith and trust in him.