Aug 17, 2004 / 22:00 pm
During his catechesis today, Pope John Paul II explained the significance of Psalm 109 as a Messianic hymn, which points to Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world.
The Pope gave his catechesis during the general audience at the papal palace in Castel Gandolfo. The focus of the catechesis was on verses 1-5,7 of the Psalm, which are recited during the Liturgy of the Hours.
The Pope explained how both the Jewish and Christian traditions have seen the profile of the Messiah in the image of the king.
There are two parts to the psalm, said the Pope. The first part is a messianic prophecy, which points to the day when Christ will sit at the right hand of God. This prophecy is referred to several times in the New Testament, he pointed out.