Although the psalms we are considering are not traditionally recognized as "messianic," each of them contains prophecies about the Messiah. These [1] separate prophetic verses, interspersed in the fabric of the Six Psalms, form its messianic theme, which can only be revealed by the patristic key.

Psalm 3

According to Bl. Augustine, this psalm foretells the Resurrection of Christ. The Holy Father interprets the words, "I am asleep and asleep, for the Lord will intercede for me" (v. 6) as follows: by sleep he understands death, and by awakening the Resurrection of the Saviour.

And here is what St. Maximus the Greek, interpreting verses 4:7-9 of the Psalm in the messianic sense. I will not be afraid of those who attack me around (v. 7): "This I (that is, the Psalmist) have spoken in the name of the incarnate God the Word, my Lord, against whom not one or two kings have risen, as Saul and Absalom have risen up against me, but all the kings, princes, and nobles of all the nations, and the people of Judah who are enraged against Him" [17].

And further: "And again, praying to the Father and His God, He says, Arise, O Lord, save Me, O My God" (v. 8). And He well called the teeth of sinners, the fierce persecutors of piety, the servants of vile demons... But God the Father has broken these pernicious teeth of theirs, and has exalted and glorified the pious people who believe in Christ God; wherefore it is said: But Thou, O Lord, art My intercessor, My glory, and lift up my head; Salvation is the Lord's, and Thy blessing is upon Thy people (v. 4, 9)" [17]. From these words it is clear that the monk saw in the rebellion of Absalom a prototype of the persecution of Christ the Savior and His Church.

Other Holy Fathers interpret this psalm in the same spirit, understanding, however, verses 8 and 9 as the cry of the Old Testament righteous man to Christ, Whom the Psalmist saw with prophetic eyes. In the final verses of the Psalm (v. 9), many Holy Fathers see a direct reference to the Cross of the Lord, which brings salvation to the world and blessing to Christians

Psalm 37

The sufferings of the Psalmist David, described in this psalm, depict the sufferings of our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, Who took upon Himself the sins and infirmities of all mankind (Isaiah 53:4-5).

The words about "sins," about "iniquities," about the "folly" of the sufferer must be understood, according to the interpretation of the Holy Fathers, as the sins and iniquities of the whole world taken upon Himself by Him (vv. 4-6, 19). Lord, before Thee all My desire and my sighing shall not be hidden from Thee (v. 10) — these words of St. Athanasius of Alexandria correlates with the words of the Savior spoken by Him at the Last Supper to His disciples: "I very much desired to eat this Pascha with you before My suffering" (Luke 22:15) [8]. Verse 11 "My heart is troubled, leave me my strength and the light of my eyes, and he is not with me" – the Holy Fathers interpret as the prophetic word of Christ about His disciples, who, although they were faithful to Him, as the light of His eyes, nevertheless fled during His sufferings on the Cross (Matt. 26:56) [7]. During the trial of the Sanhedrin and before Pontius Pilate, He was silent and did not justify Himself (cf. Matt. 26:27,14 and Psalm 37:15). He voluntarily went to the crucifixion (v. 18), during which he prayed to his Father: "Forsake me not, O Lord my God, depart not from me, come to my help, O Lord of my salvation!" — so similar are these words to the well-known words of the 21st Psalm pronounced by Him in the hour before His death.

The psalm has the inscription: in remembrance of the Sabbath, that is, of the day of rest, of the holy day which the Jews cherished so much (Exodus 20:8-10; 35:2). On this day Jesus Christ made His saving sacrifice for the whole world, and His most pure body rested in the tomb (Matt. 27:57-66; Lk. 23:56).

Psalm 62