Texts in Conversation
The Psalms of Solomon and Revelation use speech as a sign of the messiah’s justice and authority. In the Psalms of Solomon, the messiah’s words are purer than gold, showing his wisdom. Revelation echoes this, saying Jesus’ wisdom is as valuable as gold.
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2500 BCE
1000+ CE
Psalms of Solomon 17:43
Pseudepigrapha, Wisdom and Poetry
41 He will lead them all rightly, and there will be no pride among them that might cause anyone to be oppressed. 42 This (will be) the majesty of the king of Israel whom God knows; He will raise him up over the house of Israel to correct him. 43 His words (shall be) more refined than the finest, most precious gold; In the assemblies he will judge the peoples, the tribes of the holy people. 44 His words (shall be) like the words of the holy ones among holy peoples. 45 Blessed are those who shall live in those days, because they shall see the good fortune of Israel which God shall bring about when the tribes are gathered together. 46 May the Lord quickly bring His mercy to Israel! May He deliver us from the uncleanness of unholy enemies! The Lord Himself is our king forever and ever.
Date: 65–30 BCE (based on scholarly estimates)
Revelation 3:18
New Testament
15 ‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either cold or hot! 16 So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit you out of my mouth! 17 Because you say, “I am rich and have acquired great wealth, and need nothing,” but do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked, 18 take my advice and buy gold from me refined by fire so you can become rich! Buy from me white clothing so you can be clothed and your shameful nakedness will not be exposed, and buy eye salve to put on your eyes so you can see! 19 All those I love, I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent!
Date: 92–96 CE (based on scholarly estimates)
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Notes and References
"... These traits of the Messiah attested in various passages of the Targum of Isaiah also appear in early Jewish texts outside the Targum, such as the famous Psalms of Solomon 17. According to this text, presumably from the first century B.C.E., the Messiah on the one hand will likewise drive the Gentiles out of the holy land and the holy city, punishing and destroying them (Psalms of Solomon 17:22-24, 29-30, 35-36). On the other hand, he will gather Israel as a holy people in their land (verses 26-28) and rule them as a righteous, sinless, and God-instructed king (verses 32, 35-36). This rule will be characterized by blessing, longevity, and glory grounded in the Messiah's fear of God and righteousness (verses 37). Notable is the outstanding role Of the Messiah's words in Psalms of Solomon 17, comparable with Targum of Isaiah 53:5: His words Will be purer than the finest gold, the best ... His words will be as the words of the holy ones, among sanctified peoples. Blessed are those born in those days to see the good fortune of Israel which God will bring to pass in the assembly of the tribes ... The Messiah's words also play a role in judgment according to verse 35: 'He will strike the earth with the word of his mouth forever.' ..."
Bernd Janowski and Peter Stuhlmacher, The Suffering Servant: Isaiah 53 in Jewish and Christian Sources (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans, 2004), 206–208.
* The use of references are not endorsements of their contents. Please read the entirety of the provided reference(s) to understand the author's full intentions regarding the use of these texts.
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