Scripture reading – Psalm 2
Psalm 2
Psalm 2 is irrefutably a Messianic psalm, a prophetic utterance regarding the person and coming of the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ. In this psalm, the nations of the earth rage against God. God the Father declared in Psalm 2:6-7 that His Son, the “begotten” of the Father, is King and will reign on the “holy hill of Zion” (the historic and ancient site of Jerusalem). The psalm concludes with an exhortation to make peace with the Son of God [“Kiss the Son”], and an invitation to place one’s faith in Christ, for “Blessed are all they that put their trust in Him” (2:12).
* Please note that words and phrases in brackets are the amplification of the author.
The Sovereign of Creation is King and the King of kings! (Psalm 2:1-45
Psalm 2:1-4 – “Why do the heathen [the nations] rage, and the people imagine [ponder; speak; declare] a vain thing [empty; worthless]?
2 The kings of the earth set themselves [withstand], and the rulers take counsel [consult] together, against the LORD [Jehovah; Eternal, Self-existent God], and against his anointed [Messiah], saying,
3 Let us break [break down] their bands [bonds; chains] asunder [tear away], and cast away [cast down; fling] their cords [ropes; chains] from us.
4 He [the LORD] that sitteth [dwells; abides] in the heavens shall laugh [scorn; hold in derision]: the Lord [God] shall have them in derision.”
The raging of the nations and their bent for war and bloodshed dominate the national and international news. It seems there is no corner of the world without war or impending war. The United Nations, the embodiment of the world’s nations, congregates and orchestrates without considering the Sovereign God of Creation. Indeed, they plot and plan in vain to keep peace apart from and in opposition to the Prince of Peace.
Make no mistake; the rulers of the earth are mere figureheads, front men (and women) for Satan and his minions. They are the rulers of darkness (Ephesians 6:12) who, from the fall of Lucifer (Isaiah 14:12-15), have set themselves against the God of Heaven (Psalm 2:2).
Why this provocation of rebellion against God? Why this hatred for His Son?
We read in verse 3 that it is because men have rejected God, His Law, and the order of His creation. Some men declare themselves atheists, agnostics, or skeptics. Others are atheists in the practical sense—while stating a belief in the existence of God, they live in opposition to His Law and order. “There is no God,” declared the fool (Psalm 14:1; 53:1), as though His rejection of the LORD of heaven and earth diminished His rule or judgment.
Having denied God, rejected His Law, and turned away, man proposed to be the sovereign of his soul and destiny contrary to the evidence all about him. After all, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth His handywork” (Psalm 19:1). Romans 1:20 declares, “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.”
Yet, man continues to deny the Creator and proposes his explanation for nature and his existence. Having rejected the Creator, it followed that humanity would cast aside the “bands” and “cords” of God’s Law (Psalm 2:3) and become a law unto himself (Judges 17:6; 21:25).
What is God’s response to the raging of the nations and the foolishness of men? “He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision” (Psalm 2:4). The LORD will “speak unto them [the kings and rulers of the earth] in his wrath [anger], and vex [trouble; dismay; alarm] them in his sore displeasure [burning anger; wrath]” (Psalm 2:5).
The King is Coming! (Psalm 2:5-12)
Psalm 2 continued with the LORD Jehovah revealing His plan to appoint His Son, the Messiah, Christ the King, to rule the earth “with a rod of iron” (2:9).
Psalm 2:6-9 – Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion [the mountain upon which Jerusalem was built].
7 I will declare the decree [statute; ordinance]: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten [beget; born] thee. [i.e., according to Acts 13:33, this refers to Christ’s resurrection from the tomb.]
8 Ask [desire; require] of me, and I shall give [put; deliver] thee the heathen [nations; Gentiles] for thine inheritance [possession], and the uttermost parts [ends] of the earth for thy possession.
9 Thou shalt break [hurt; afflict] them with a rod [i.e., like a shepherd’s rod] of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces [scatter; disperse] like a potter’s vessel.
We live in a day of God’s bountiful grace and mercy; however, God warns that He has appointed a day when His wrath will be unleashed against the rebellious people of the earth. Peter warned that those last days would be marked by a generation of “scoffers,” men who would openly mock the God of Heaven. The wicked will pursue and be slaves to “their own lusts” (2 Peter 3:3). They will hold in derision those who look for the coming of the Lord and assert that nothing has changed from “the beginning of the creation” (2 Peter 3:4).
Indeed, this generation despises the God of Creation and is blind to the handiwork of the Creator, Maker, and Designer. Mankind has rejected the revelation and evidence of God’s judgment against the antediluvian world of Noah’s day. They deny the evidence of God’s catastrophic judgment by the flood (2 Peter 3:5-6) and presume upon the grace of God that they will escape God’s wrath (2 Peter 3:7). The world mocks the faith of believers who, after 2,000 years, continue to watch and wait upon the LORD’s coming. They fail to understand that “one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day” (2 Peter 3:8).
Psalm 2 concluded with a twofold message. (Psalm 2:10-12)
Psalm 2:10-11 – Be wise [understand; prudent] now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed [disciplined; warned], ye judges of the earth.
11 Serve [worship] the LORD with fear [reverence], and rejoice with trembling [fear].
The earth’s leaders are admonished to be wise, teachable, and serving the LORD with reverential fear. Be forewarned, knowing God will hold leaders accountable for their rule and influence on those entrusted to their care (2:10-11).
Psalm 2:12 – Kiss the Son, lest he be angry [displeased; enraged], and ye perish [die; fall] from the way [journey; path], when his wrath is kindled [consume] but a little. Blessed [Happy; i.e., prosperous] are all they that put their trust [confidence; hope] in him.
Closing thoughts
Psalm 2:12 concluded with an exhortation and a promise of the LORD’s benevolent care. Believers are exhorted to “Kiss the Son,” indicating the intimacy of the Lord’s company and to find sanctuary in His good graces (2:12a). There was an abiding promise that those who put their faith, hope, and confidence in the LORD are benefactors of His love, grace, and care (2.:12b).
My friend, rather than fretting and worrying over the state of the world and wondering when the Lord will return, realize every day that passes without God’s judgment is a testimony of His grace and “longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). As sure as the sun rose on the eastern horizon this morning, we are assured the Lord is coming. His judgment will prevail (2 Peter 3:10).
Are you ready for His coming?
Copyright © 2023 – Travis D. Smith
* You can subscribe to the Heart of a Shepherd daily devotionals by entering your name and email address at the bottom of today’s devotion.
The Internal Revenue Service recognizes Heart of A Shepherd Inc as a 501c3 public charitable organization. Your donation is welcome and supports the worldwide ministry outreach of www.HeartofAShepherd.com.