Who Is In Charge?

Introduction

I picked this Psalm because I believe it has a lot to say to us today. It is part of the “Royal Psalms” that were used by the Davidic kings during their coronations. Other “Royal Psalms” include: 18, 20, 21, 45, 72, 89, 101, 110, 132, and 144.

This psalm is also a Messianic psalm, because is speaks of the Messiah (or Christ in Greek).

The Rebellion of the Nations (vrs 1-3)

Psalm 2:1–3 NIV

Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed, saying, “Let us break their chains and throw off their shackles.”

The psalmist is amazed that the nations around them are:

Conspiring

Ploting

But it is all in vain. They are rebelling against Israel’s king but ultimately they are rebelling against the Lord—or more specifically against Jesus.

They say, “Let us break theri chains and throw of their shackles.”

The Resolution of the Lord (vrs 4-6)

Psalm 2:4–6 NIV

The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. He rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying, “I have installed my king on Zion, my holy mountain.”

The psalmist describes God in an anthropomorphic manner.

God—the One enthroned in heaven laughs them.

Yahweh—same person—scoffs at them.

These two are redundant which indicates importance. How can mankind be so foolish as to challenge an almighty God? But it happens today, every day!

Next God rebukes them in his anger.

And He terrifies them in his wrath.

He does this because they have challenged the king that God installed (or consecrated—set apart).

Zion can mean several things. At one time it referred to the temple mount. Other times it referred to all of Jerusalem. The reference here is backed up by the phrase “my holy mountain” which seems to make it a reference to the hill in Jerusalem where worship occured.

The Declaration of the King (vrs 7-9)

Psalm 2:7–9 NIV

I will proclaim the Lord’s decree: He said to me, “You are my son; today I have become your father. Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession. You will break them with a rod of iron; you will dash them to pieces like pottery.”

First God is going to affirm His king— “You are my son”. The New Testament quotes this verse in Acts 13:3; Hebrews 1:5, and 5:5.

The second phrase, I have become your father, or I have begotten you does not refer to physical birth, but that God has chosen this individual.

Then in verse 8, God tells His anointed to ask of Him:

He will give the king the nations (all of them) as an inheritance.

The entire earth will be his possession.

Finally, this king will rule the nations with a rod of iron—no mercy.

And he will dash those who oppose him into pieces like broken pottery.

This imagery may have been drawn from the Pharaoh who used a scepter to smash small jars of pottery. The Hebrew word used her describes a crushing blow. Thus, anyone who were to rebel would be crushed.

The Exhortation of the Psalmist (vrs 10-12)

Psalm 2:10–12 NIV

Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear and celebrate his rule with trembling. Kiss his son, or he will be angry and your way will lead to your destruction, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

The Psalmist tells the kings to be:

Wise—this is important because he has already stated that they are acting foolish.

Warned—God’s judgement and justice is coming because He has already determined His ruler!

Next he tells the rebellious nations that they should respond in the same manner as the righteous nations:

They should serve [worship] the Lord with fear [reverence].

They should rejoice.

And they should tremble before the Lord (cf. Hebrews 12:28).

Finally, these nations are told to:

Kiss the son—pay homage to the God’s royal son—(this seems like it is a Messianic reference).

If they don’t pay homage the son will:

Become angry.

Destroy them in the midst of their activities.

It can happen in a moment—in the blink of an eye!

The contrast is that those who take refuge—find safety, protection, security in God’s provision of a leader—the king of Israel, and ultimately the Messiah—King Jesus.