Problem Passages: New Testament Use of Psalms In The Book Of Hebrews

July 31, 2024 Kevin Hall

In the Book of Hebrews, the author quotes Psalm 40:6-8 as part of his argument to “not drift away” (2:1). He authoritatively quotes David’s words to affirm Messianic ministry, of which some in the audience were eyewitnesses. The LXX manuscripts “use the word “body” rather than the word “ears” (v.5) to represent the whole body; this to facilitate the application of the passage to Jesus.”[19]

Just as Saul had unprepared “ears/body” (1 Sam 15), so too the sacrificial system under the Mosaic Law could not fully accomplish God’s plan (10:4). Just as David improved on Saul, Christ became the fulfillment of the Law, became a greater David, with the ultimate prepared body. “God accepted the perfect sacrifice of Christ because it represented a broken, contrite expression of obedience to his will.”[20] Christ’s obedience is the cornerstone of the New Covenant (10:9). The Hebrew audience could have full assurance of their faith to endure the present distress, much like David was given a new song during his difficult moment (Ps. 40:3).

In conclusion, it is important to note that the LXX translators “dealt freely with the text in their substituting “ears” with “body”.[21] Lightfoot posits that there is a direct relation between Jesus’ sacrifice and God’s will as described in verse seven. “The author of Hebrews finds a fuller meaning than was obvious when these words were first spoken in Psalms 40:6-8.”[22]

This fuller meaning depicts Jesus as “the body prepared” that intervened in human history (personally) to abolish the first covenant (worn out, legalistic, sacrificial system) to establish the second (new, free, loving) covenant (v.9).[23] The Psalmist while lamenting on his pain and extolling the majesty of God was looking ahead to the Messianic fulfillment. God, then, has revealed himself within the Scriptures as immanent, caring, and placing great value on his created beings.

References:

[1] John Goldingay, Psalms: Psalms 1-41, Baker Commentary on the Old Testament Wisdom and Psalms Ser. (Baker Academic, 2014): 24, accessed August 16, 2018, https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.ezproxy.liberty.edu/lib/liberty/reader.action?docID=3117022&query=j+goldingay

[2] Ibid., 159.

[3] Craig L. Blomberg, From Pentecost To Patmos: An Introduction To Acts Through Revelation, (Nashville, TN: B&H Publishers, 2006), 409.

[4] H. Franklin Paschall and Herschell H. Hobbs, ed., Teachers Bible Commentary: Hebrews, (B&H Publishing Group, 1972): 76, accessed August 18, 2018, https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.ezproxy.liberty.edu/lib/liberty/reader.action?docID=673051&query=psalms+in+hebrews&ppg=308

[5] Unless otherwise noted, all Scriptures are from the New Revised Standard Version, (The Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America, 1989).

[6] Steven Lawson, Holman Old Testament Commentary: Psalms, ed. Max Anders, (B&H Publishing, 2004):66, accessed August 16, 2018, https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.ezproxy.liberty.edu/lib/liberty/reader.action?docID=673847&query=Lawson%2C+Steven

[7] Goldingay, Psalms, 156.

[8] Lawson, Psalms, 67.

[9] Derek Kidner, Psalms 1-72, Kidner Classic Commentaries, (InterVarsity Press, 2014): 85, accessed August 16, 2018, https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.ezproxy.liberty.edu/lib/liberty/reader.action?docID=2033981&query=derek+kidner

[10] Neil R. Lightfoot, Jesus Christ Today: A Commentary On The Book Of Hebrews, (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1976), 73.

[11] Donald Guthrie, Hebrews, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 15, (InterVarsity Press, 2009): 88-9, accessed August 17, 2018, https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.ezproxy.liberty.edu/lib/liberty/reader.action?docID=4107712&query=donald+guthrie

[12] Thomas Lea, Holman New Testament Commentary: Hebrews & James, ed. Max Anders, (B&H Publishing, 1999): 33, accessed August 17, 2018, https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.ezproxy.liberty.edu/lib/liberty/reader.action?docID=673834&query=Thomas+Lea+

[13] Lightfoot, Hebrews, 73.

[14] Kidner, Psalms, 177.

[15] Goldingay, Psalms, 571.

[16] Kinder, Psalms, 177.

[17] Ibid., 178.