Summary
When a new king or queen of Great Britain (and hence, New Zealand) is coronated, an elaborate process is followed of swearing oaths and placing a crown on the new monarch’s head. After this, those in the crowd give homage to their new monarch, swearing that they submit to the monarch’s reign.
Psalm 2 encourages us to give homage to King Jesus, God’s anointed ruler. Like Psalm 1, it serves as an introduction to the wider book of Psalms. Psalm 2 contrasts the rebellious nations with God’s divine reign, his appointment of his Son as king, and ends with a call to allegiance.
Our passage explained
v1-3
Firstly, in verses 1 to 3 we see the rebellious nations described. Verse 1 asks “Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?” The question is asked not out of frustration or sadness, but astonishment. The Psalmist is rhetorically pointing out the stupidity of trying to plot against God, the Creator and sustainer of all things, rather than meditating on God and his word (Psalm 1:2).
In verses 2 and 3 the pointless plotting is described. “The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying, ‘Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.’” This describes the state of the rulers of nations today as in rebellion against God and his Messiah (which means “anointed one”). Whatever anger and rage they throw against God’s people is a reflection of their hatred of God.
v4-7
Secondly, we see God’s divine reign displayed. In verse 4, God looks down from heaven in his sovereignty and laughs derisively at the nations trying to rebel against him. He holds the power of life and death over them, and will one day come to judge them for their rebellion, speaking “to them in his wrath, and terrify[ing] them in his fury” (v.5). His declaration will be “As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill” (v.6). His anointed one is established as King, despite the plotting of the nations.
Thirdly, we see the appointment of God’s Son as king. Here the King himself speaks what God told him. “The LORD said to me, ‘You are my Son; today I have begotten you’” (v.7). These words, quoted in the New Testament (eg, Acts 13:33, Hebrews 1:5, 5:5) are the decree that Jesus, God’s Son who took on flesh and dwelt among us, is the sovereignly appointed King whom God has established (v.6).
v8-12
God’s Son will inherit all the nations and execute judgement for God. In verses 8 and 9, we see God promises his Son “Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.” The Messiah’s rule will cover all the nations of the earth, not just Israel. And all those who oppose Jesus’ rule, such as the kings and rulers of the earth from verses 1 and 2, will be shattered by Jesus’ judgement.
Psalm 2 closes with a call to allegiance. The kings who rage and plot in vain are called to be wise and heed the warning of previous verses (v.10). They should “Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling” (v.11) and pay homage to the Messiah (literally “Kiss the Son” which was an ancient sign of submission, v.12). Failure to do so will arouse his anger, and lead to their perishing.
Comfortingly though, the psalm ends on a positive note. “Blessed are all who take refuge in him” (v.12). While wrath and destruction comes to those who continue to deny the Messiah’s reign, everyone who trusts in him is blessed, tying back to the promises of Psalm 1.
Our passage applied
Jesus is the ruler appointed by God to reign over his church, and one day over all of Creation. One day soon Jesus will subdue all the nations that still foolishly plot in vain. His dominion will have no end (Dan 7:11-14). After crushing all rebellion, he will deliver the kingdom to his Father (1 Cor 15:24).
As we see persecution against our brothers and sisters in other nations, and perhaps even see the rise of official persecution again in the West, these words are a comfort for us. The nations may plot and try to overthrow God; to destroy his kingdom by attacking the Church. But God will have the last laugh, Jesus will have the final word. All those who oppose God and his Son will be forced to acknowledge his rightful rule, pay homage to his anointed king Jesus, or face his rightful judgement.
As we wait for that final day when all opposition will cease, we should take refuge in God. It is only in God and his appointed Son as King that we find refuge for our weary souls from the storms of God’s wrath.
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