Sources & Bibliography | Messianic Profile

How to use this page: This is the master bibliography for the Psalms Messianic Profile study. Each source entry indicates which specific pages use that material and what content it supports. Citations follow academic standards with page references where applicable.

Why These Sources: Sources were selected based on their ability to illuminate (1) canonical-literary positioning of psalms, (2) Hebrew wordplay and lexical analysis, (3) Old Testament intertextual connections, (4) New Testament quotation and fulfillment patterns, and (5) integrated messianic theology.

Note on BibleProject Materials: BibleProject Visual Commentary scripts and classroom materials provided the foundational framework for this study's canonical approach. They are referenced for their literary analysis, Hebrew word studies, and theological integration rather than as peer-reviewed academic monographs.

🎬 Primary Sources: BibleProject

The BibleProject provided the foundational insights for this study, particularly regarding canonical structure, literary positioning, and theological integration of the Psalms. The following materials were extensively used:

Visual Commentary: Psalm 8

Visual Commentary: Psalm 8 Study Notes

PRIMARY SOURCE PDF Document 18 pages

BibleProject. "Visual Commentary: Psalm 8 Study Notes." PDF document, 18 pages.

Used extensively for:

Psalm 8's position at the CENTER of Psalms 3-14
The "babes and nursing infants" riddle and its theological significance
"Weak exalted" theme as interpretive key for surrounding laments
Connection between Ps 3-7 (David fleeing) and Ps 9-14 (afflicted ones)
Genesis 1 echoes in Psalm 8 (image of God, dominion, creation mandate)
NT fulfillment in Hebrews 2:5-9, Matthew 21:15-16, 1 Corinthians 15:27

Visual Commentary: Psalm 148

Visual Commentary: Psalm 148 Study Notes + Script

PRIMARY SOURCE PDF Documents 8 pages + 5 pages

BibleProject. "Visual Commentary: Psalm 148 Study Notes." PDF document, 8 pages.
BibleProject. "Visual Commentary: Psalm 148 Script." PDF document, 5 pages.

Used extensively for:

Psalm 148's position at the CENTER of Final Hallel (Psalms 146-150)
"Lifted horn" (קֶרֶן qeren) imagery and ANE background
Cosmic praise structure: heaven (vv. 1-6) → earth (vv. 7-12) → promise (vv. 13-14)
Six tiers of creation called to praise (angels → celestial → weather → geography → animals → humans)
Connection to messianic promise fulfillment and victory imagery
NT eschatological fulfillment (Luke 1:68-69, Revelation 5, Romans 8:19-22)

Psalms 1-2 Materials

Psalms 1-2 Analysis and Classroom Materials

PRIMARY SOURCE Multiple PDFs

BibleProject. Various materials on Psalms 1-2 as gateway psalms, including classroom videos and study notes.

Used for:

Psalms 1-2 as unified two-psalm introduction to the Psalter
Ashrey (אַשְׁרֵי) inclusio linking Psalm 1:1 and 2:12
Hagah (הָגָה) wordplay: "meditate" (Ps 1:2) vs. "plot" (Ps 2:1)
Torah-keeper (Ps 1) = Anointed King (Ps 2) theological integration
Hyperlinks to Joshua 1:7-8, Deuteronomy 17:18-20, Genesis 2, Ezekiel 47
NT quotations and messianic interpretation framework

General Psalms Framework

BibleProject: Psalms Series and Classroom Materials

PRIMARY SOURCE Video + PDF

BibleProject. "Psalms" video series and associated classroom materials, particularly Tim Mackie's teachings on Psalms 1-150 structure and canonical reading.

Used for:

Canonical approach to reading Psalms as a unified book
Literary positioning and intentional arrangement of psalms
Theological themes that connect individual psalms into larger patterns
Interpretive keys for understanding messianic psalms in context

Note on BibleProject Usage: BibleProject materials provided the primary framework for this study's canonical-literary approach. Their insights on literary positioning (Ps 8 at center of Ps 3-14, Ps 148 at center of Final Hallel), Hebrew wordplay analysis, and NT connections were foundational. This study synthesizes and expands upon their observations while maintaining academic rigor and proper attribution.

📖 Commentaries & Academic Works

📚 Major Commentaries Consulted

Derek Kidner: Psalms (Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries)

COMMENTARY Standard Reference

Kidner, Derek. Psalms 1-72 and Psalms 73-150. Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1973, 1975.

Consulted for:

Historical-grammatical exegesis of Psalms 1, 2, 8, and 148
Hebrew word studies and semantic range analysis
Connections to 2 Samuel 7 Davidic covenant
Practical theological application

John Goldingay: Psalms (Baker Commentary)

COMMENTARY Scholarly

Goldingay, John. Psalms, Volume 1: Psalms 1-41 and Psalms, Volume 3: Psalms 90-150. Baker Commentary on the Old Testament Wisdom and Psalms. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2006, 2008.

Consulted for:

Form-critical analysis and genre identification
Ancient Near Eastern parallels and cultural background
Canonical shape and editorial arrangement
Literary structure analysis

Peter Craigie: Psalms 1-50 (Word Biblical Commentary)

COMMENTARY Technical

Craigie, Peter C. Psalms 1-50. Word Biblical Commentary, vol. 19. Waco, TX: Word Books, 1983.

Consulted for:

Detailed Hebrew textual analysis
Comparative Semitic linguistics
Chiastic structure identification (Psalm 2)
Ancient worship context

Willem VanGemeren: Psalms (Expositor's Bible Commentary)

COMMENTARY Evangelical

VanGemeren, Willem A. "Psalms." In The Expositor's Bible Commentary, Volume 5: Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, edited by Frank E. Gaebelein. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1991.

Consulted for:

Theological themes and canonical connections
Messianic interpretation tradition
NT quotation analysis
Practical application

📚 Reference Works & Lexicons

🔤 Hebrew Language & Theological Dictionaries

Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament (HALOT)

LEXICON Standard Reference

Koehler, Ludwig, Walter Baumgartner, and Johann J. Stamm. The Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament. Translated and edited by M. E. J. Richardson. 5 vols. Leiden: Brill, 1994-2000.

Used for: Hebrew word studies (אַשְׁרֵי, הָגָה, מָשִׁיחַ, בֵּן, חָסָה, עוֹלְלִים, עֹז, אֱנוֹשׁ, אֱלֹהִים, קֶרֶן) with etymological analysis and semantic range.

Theological Dictionary of the Old Testament (TDOT)

THEOLOGICAL DICTIONARY Scholarly

Botterweck, G. Johannes, Helmer Ringgren, and Heinz-Josef Fabry, eds. Theological Dictionary of the Old Testament. Translated by John T. Willis, et al. 15 vols. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1974-2006.

Used for: Theological development of key terms across Old Testament canon, particularly messianic terminology and royal ideology.

New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology and Exegesis (NIDOTTE)

THEOLOGICAL DICTIONARY Evangelical

VanGemeren, Willem A., ed. New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology and Exegesis. 5 vols. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1997.

Used for: Thematic connections, canonical theology, and NT fulfillment patterns for messianic concepts.

🔬 Methodology

This study employs a canonical-literary approach combined with theological synthesis. The methodology integrates multiple disciplines to understand the Psalms as intentionally arranged scripture.

📖 Canonical Reading

Following Brevard Childs and the BibleProject's approach, this study reads individual psalms within their canonical context. The arrangement of psalms is not random but theologically intentional.

Key Principles:

Psalms 1-2 function as a unified two-psalm introduction
Psalm 8's position at the center of Psalms 3-14 is interpretive
Psalm 148's position at the center of Final Hallel (146-150) is climactic
Literary patterns (inclusio, chiasm, positioning) reveal theological meaning

🔤 Hebrew Word Studies

Detailed analysis of key Hebrew terms grounds theological insights in the original language. Etymology, semantic range, and usage patterns across the Old Testament inform meaning.

Terms Analyzed:

אַשְׁרֵי (ashrey) — "blessed" as state of being
הָגָה (hagah) — "meditate" vs. "plot" wordplay
מָשִׁיחַ (mashiakh) — "anointed" / Messiah
בֵּן (ben) — "son" in royal-covenantal sense
חָסָה (khasah) — "take refuge" / trust
עוֹלְלִים (olalim) — "babes" / nursing infants
עֹז (oz) — "stronghold" / fortress
אֱנוֹשׁ (enosh) — "weak mortal human"
אֱלֹהִים (elohim) — "God" / divine beings
קֶרֶן (qeren) — "horn" as victory imagery

🔗 Intertextual Connections

The study traces hyperlinks between psalms and other biblical texts, showing how psalms echo, quote, or allude to Torah, Prophets, and Writings.

Major Connections Identified:

Psalm 1 → Joshua 1:7-8, Deuteronomy 17:18-20
Psalm 2 → 2 Samuel 7:12-14 (Davidic covenant)
Psalm 8 → Genesis 1:26-28 (creation mandate)
Psalm 148 → 2 Samuel 7:16 ("lifted horn" = covenant fulfillment)

✝️ New Testament Fulfillment

The study examines how the NT quotes, alludes to, and interprets these psalms in light of Jesus' identity and work. This demonstrates the early church's hermeneutical approach.

Major NT Quotations Analyzed:

Acts 13:33 — Psalm 2:7 applied to resurrection
Hebrews 2:5-9 — Psalm 8:4-6 applied to Jesus as "son of man"
Matthew 21:15-16 — Psalm 8:2 quoted by Jesus re: children's praise
1 Corinthians 15:27 — Psalm 8:6 applied to resurrection victory
Luke 1:68-69 — Psalm 148:14 "lifted horn" in Zechariah's song
Revelation 5:11-14 — Psalm 148's cosmic worship fulfilled

🎨 Theological Synthesis

Rather than treating each psalm in isolation, this study synthesizes them into a three-dimensional messianic portrait:

Dimension 1: Character (Psalm 1 — Torah obedience)
Dimension 2: Authority (Psalm 2 — Divine kingship)
Dimension 3: Method (Psalm 8 — Power through weakness)
Culmination: Victory (Psalm 148 — Promise fulfilled)

This integration prevents incomplete or distorted messianic expectations by showing how all three dimensions work together.

🙏 Acknowledgments

Special Thanks

BibleProject deserves primary recognition for their groundbreaking work on canonical reading of the Psalms. Tim Mackie's classroom teachings and the Visual Commentary series provided the foundational framework for understanding literary positioning, Hebrew wordplay, and theological integration. This study would not exist without their generous provision of educational materials.

Scholarly Community: Gratitude to Derek Kidner, John Goldingay, Peter Craigie, Willem VanGemeren, and all biblical scholars whose commentaries and reference works have preserved careful exegetical tradition. Their labors enable studies like this to stand on solid academic ground.

Project Context Mission: This study fulfills Project Context's commitment to providing freely accessible, integrated biblical scholarship that combines textual analysis, historical context, theological themes, and practical application. What typically requires multiple academic resources is here synthesized into comprehensive, accessible formats.

Copyright and Usage:

BibleProject Materials: All BibleProject Visual Commentary materials, scripts, and classroom content are used with appreciation for their educational mission. Users should consult BibleProject directly (bibleproject.com) for their official materials.

This Study: The synthesis, integration, visual diagrams, HTML implementation, and pedagogical design of this messianic profile study are original work by Project Context. The study is provided freely for educational purposes.

Academic Integrity: All sources are cited with proper attribution. Where BibleProject insights inform analysis, this is clearly noted. Original synthesis and integration represent Project Context's contribution to making scholarly insights accessible.

✅ Study Completion

This completes the Psalms Messianic Profile study. The full journey includes:

📑 Study Pages

Hub: Overview and navigation
Page 1: Psalm 1 — Torah-Keeper
Page 2: Psalm 2 — Enthroned King
Page 3: Psalm 8 — Weak Exalted
Page 4: Synthesis — Integration
Page 5: Psalm 148 — Victory Promised
Page 6: Sources & Bibliography (this page)

📊 Study Statistics

Total pages: 7 (including hub)
Total length: ~10,000+ lines of HTML/CSS
Visual diagrams: 50+ interactive elements
Hebrew terms analyzed: 15+ key words
NT connections: 25+ major passages
BibleProject sources: 4 primary documents
Commentaries consulted: 6+ major works

🎯 The Complete Messianic Portrait

From Torah obedience (Psalm 1) to divine kingship (Psalm 2) to power through weakness (Psalm 8) to cosmic victory (Psalm 148)—the Psalter presents a complete, multi-dimensional portrait of God's Messiah that finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ.