Psalm 2 (UNITE Lamar)

Introduction

Psalm 2 is one of the most quoted psalms in the New Testament.

Why?

It helps answer the question “How do we navigate a world of chaos and fear?”

I don’t think I have to convince you that this is a helpful and timely message.

Everyone can feel the chaos and fear.

We all relate to the feeling of being powerless to forces around us.

How do I react when the world is on fire?

What do we look to?

This answer is probably obvious… since you’re at a Christian gathering, but we’re going to dive into Psalm 2 and see how scripture answers the question: “how do I navigate a world of chaos and fear?”

We’re going to split up Psalm 2 into three sections:

Context for Old Testament (what is this passage saying?)

Context for New Testament (why did people in the New Testament care about this?)

Context for Today (why does this matter to us today?)

Context for Old Testament

1-3

Psalm 2:1–3 (CSB)

Why do the nations rage

and the peoples plot in vain?

The kings of the earth take their stand,

and the rulers conspire together

against the Lord and his Anointed One:

“Let’s tear off their chains

and throw their ropes off of us.”

What’s going on here? Well, let’s get to the point where we understand the context that the original 10th century audience would have heard it in.

These “nations,” of this time would have been the kingdoms and political powers surrounding Israel.

These "nations" historically represent the collective opposition to God and His anointed king

Specifically, King David and his descendants faced resistance from neighboring nations such as the Philistines, Moabites, Edomites, and others.

Essentially: the nations are foreign people who did not acknowledge Yahweh as the true God.

The “kings” of these nations had specific responsibilities as leaders appointed by God

1. Military Leadership

Defend the Nation: Kings were expected to protect Israel from external threats and lead the army in battle (e.g., David’s battles against the Philistines, 2 Samuel 5:17-25).

Expand Territory: Some kings were tasked with subduing enemies and securing borders (e.g., Solomon consolidating Israel’s territory).

2. Justice and Governance

Uphold Justice: Kings acted as judges, ensuring fairness and justice according to God’s law (e.g., Solomon’s famous judgment in 1 Kings 3:16-28).

Maintain Order: They were responsible for administering the kingdom effectively, delegating authority, and managing resources.

Protect the Oppressed: Kings were charged with protecting the poor, widows, and orphans (Psalm 72:4).

3. Covenant Faithfulness

Lead Spiritually: Kings were expected to model obedience to God’s law and ensure the nation followed God’s covenant (Deuteronomy 17:18-20).

Destroy Idolatry: They were to remove high places, idols, and false worship from the land (e.g., Hezekiah and Josiah’s reforms, 2 Kings 18:4; 2 Kings 23:4-7).

Promote Worship: They facilitated temple worship and national religious festivals (e.g., Solomon building the temple in 1 Kings 6-8).

And yet, despite the responsibility of these kings to lead people to God, what do they do?

(2-3) “The kings of the earth take their stand, and the rulers conspire together against the Lord and his Anointed One: “Let’s tear off their chains and throw their ropes off of us.””

It is scary, when people in power release moral constraint.

Which, I think, is why the opposite of that is so compelling to us!

Aragorn! From Lord of the Rings. Aragorn remains steadfast in his moral convictions, even when facing overwhelming odds. He resists the temptation of power (e.g., the Ring) and leads with humility, courage, and a sense of duty to protect others.

Steve Rogers is often described as a "man out of time," holding onto unwavering values like justice, truth, and selflessness. In Civil War, he refuses to compromise his beliefs, even when it costs him friendships and alliances.

(How many of you were forced to read “To Kill a Mockingbird?”) Atticus Finch, as a lawyer in the racially divided South, defends an innocent man, facing societal backlash. His moral compass is unshakable, even when it means standing alone.

These stories and characters are so compelling to us because they embody what we all desire desperately in a leader: morality.

But our leaders and rulers often do not display that. And what is the result of that? Chaos, and fear.

And that’s what’s happening here. The kings and rulers are throwing off the chains and ropes of morality and goodness.

So what do we do in that situation?

Do we armor up? Do we fight?

We look up.

4

Psalm 2:4 CSB

The one enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord ridicules them.

These kings are scary to the people! They are in control and we are not.

But God is not scared.

6 year old James warning me about 10 year old bully.

To a 6 year old a 10 year old can be terrifying!

To an adult a 10 year old is nothing.

We laugh because it’s obvious that there’s no real threat here.

God laughs because it’s obvious that there’s no real threat here.

Really think about what’s happening here: imagine you square up and the person legitimately starts laughing.

First of all, how demeaning is that (I think that’s what is meant by “the Lord ridicules them)

Second, that makes very clear the other person is in a very comfortable position of power.

God laughs, but their sin isn’t funny.

5-6

Psalm 2:5–6 CSB

Then he speaks to them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath: “I have installed my king on Zion, my holy mountain.”

God is saying to the nations: “I don’t care what your plans are - I have a king, and he rules.”

Despite of human intervention or rebellion, God establishes His king in a place of holiness and authority.

In the next verse the king speaks:

7

Psalm 2:7 CSB

I will declare the Lord’s decree. He said to me, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father.

Again, getting to the point of understanding the context that the original 10th century audience would have heard it in - we have to know that there was a special covenant relationship between God and the Davidic king.

2 Samuel 7:14 (CSB)

I will be his father, and he will be my son.

The king is "adopted" as God’s son at his coronation, symbolizing his divine appointment as God’s representative on earth

At this coronation, the king would share a formal, authoritative declaration that they felt God shared with them.

That’s what this verse begins, and the king goes on:

8-9

Psalm 2:8–9 CSB

Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance and the ends of the earth your possession. You will break them with an iron scepter; you will shatter them like pottery.”

The King is given access to the power of God. And the nations pose no threat to the one with God’s power.

The Psalm makes very clear the gap between the highest earthly power and God’s power.

Iron vs. pottery.

No matter which way you approach it, the pottery stands no chance against the iron.

No earthly power matches the power of the king.

And that’s what this Psalm is getting at.

Now we know what the Psalm is actually saying here. Now we can see why it would have been a popular passage among God’s people.

And yet, no king ever ended up playing out this way.

King Solomon, despite his wisdom, turned away from God in his later years.

King Rehoboam rejected wise counsel and ruled harshly, leading to the split of the kingdom into Israel (north) and Judah (south)

King Ahaz practiced idolatry and even sacrificed his own son in fire to pagan gods

No king played out the way Psalm 2 said it would. Yet the prophets kept pointing to a (K)ing.

So, we can understand Psalm 2 in the context of the Old Testament, but there’s a whole other deeper meaning unlocked when we look at Psalm 2 in the Context of the New Testament.

Context for New Testament

Mark 1:14–15 (CSB)

After John was arrested, Jesus went to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

God’s people looked to verses like Psalm 2 and said “one day! a king is coming!” and Jesus arrives on the scene and says “the day is HERE! now!”

And his ministry is filled with amazing parallels that prove that he is the king mentioned in Psalm 2!

Luke 3:21–22 (CSB)

When all the people were baptized, Jesus also was baptized. As he was praying, heaven opened, and the Holy Spirit descended on him in a physical appearance like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well-pleased.”

Acts 13:27 (CSB)

Since the residents of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize him or the sayings of the prophets that are read every Sabbath, they have fulfilled their words by condemning him.

Acts 13:33 (CSB)

God has fulfilled this for us, their children, by raising up Jesus, as it is written in the second Psalm: You are my Son; today I have become your Father.

He is even justified as the King in Revelation 2,12, and 19.

Jesus is King.

Now we read Psalm 2 differently.

The nations rage, the rulers stand against God. The world is full of chaos and fear. But the real truth is: Jesus is King.

And that changes everything! But specifically for the people we read about in the New Testament it does 3 things:

1. Because Jesus is King, There is Calm

Yes, the world’s chaos brings me stress and anxiety, BUT, I am connected to the King, and that brings me peace. I can be calm, because I know who is in control.

This is how the New Testament navigated life!

The Roman Empire went through many phases of demanding that the Christians deny their faith, or be killed. The earliest attacks claimed the lives of many of the apostles.

We have plenty of stories of Christians in the NT being killed for their faith.

There’s one story we find (not from scripture but from supporting texts) about an early martyr named Polycarp.

Polycarp heard there was a plan to arrest him.

The police and horsemen came at dinner time one day with their usual weapons and found Polycarp lying down in the upper room of a cottage. He could have escaped but he refused saying, “God’s will be done.”

When he heard that they had come, he went down and spoke with them. “Why did we go to so much trouble to capture a man like this?” Immediately he called for food and drink for them, and asked for an hour to pray uninterrupted.

Polycarp knew he was going to be arrested, and more than likely killed by these men, and he made them dinner!

Polycarp is taken to a stadium where he is told to denounce his faith.

He says: “86 years I have served him, and he has done me no wrong. How can I blaspheme my King and my Savior?”

Then he is told that he will be fed to wild animals. Polycarps answer is: “Call them,” “It is unthinkable for me to repent from what is good to turn to what is evil. I will be glad though to be changed from evil to righteousness.”

So then they threaten to burn him alive. He says “You threaten me with fire which burns for an hour, and is then extinguished, but you know nothing of the fire of the coming judgment and eternal punishment, reserved for the ungodly. Why are you waiting? Bring on whatever you want.”

Polycarps answer is “I am not the one on trial today.”

Polycarp knows his king rules, and it brings him peace.

Because Jesus is King, we can have peace!

2. Because Jesus is King, There is Confidence

Acts 4:1–3 (CSB)

While they (Peter and John) were speaking to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple police, and the Sadducees confronted them, because they were annoyed that they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. So they seized them and took them into custody until the next day since it was already evening.

They bring Peter and John before the council and ask them what authority they preach with. Peter boldly claims Christ.

Acts 4:18–20 (CSB)

So they called for them and ordered them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.

Peter and John answered them, “Whether it’s right in the sight of God for us to listen to you rather than to God, you decide; for we are unable to stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

Can you imagine being told by the highest authority not to do something, and then telling them, we’re going to do it.

Acts 4:23–29 (CSB)

After they were released, they went to their own people and reported everything the chief priests and the elders had said to them. When they heard this, they raised their voices together to God and said, “Master, you are the one who made the heaven, the earth, and the sea, and everything in them. You said through the Holy Spirit, by the mouth of our father David your servant: Why do the Gentiles rage and the peoples plot futile things? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers assemble together against the Lord and against his Messiah. “For, in fact, in this city both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, assembled together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, to do whatever your hand and your will had predestined to take place. And now, Lord, consider their threats, and grant that your servants may speak your word with all boldness,

And then they go right back to preaching! The same thing that just landed them in jail, they say they can’t help but do it and go right back to it.

When you see the world through the lens of Psalm 2, you realize it doesn’t matter what happens - HE WINS!

The highest authority on earth cannot hurt me.

Pottery vs. iron. There’s no chance.

Because Jesus is King, we can be confident in the face of fear.

3. Because Jesus is King, There is Compassion

Go back to Psalm 2, there were a few more verses we didn’t get to.

Remember, the whole Psalm has been very clear - the enemies of God will be CRUSHED. There is NO chance for those who oppose God. They will be destroyed.

So you would think it might finish with: so good luck! You had it coming! Can’t say I’m sorry.

But what does it say?

Psalm 2:10–12 CSB

So now, kings, be wise; receive instruction, you judges of the earth. Serve the Lord with reverential awe and rejoice with trembling. Pay homage to the Son or he will be angry and you will perish in your rebellion, for his anger may ignite at any moment. All who take refuge in him are happy.

Psalm 2 is saying those against the Lord stand no chance. There will be judgement. But first, there’s an invitation to mercy. Verse 10 changes the conversation to be: now you know what reality is - so make the right choice! Be wise to be on the right side when the time comes!

There is a call to repentance!

This happens all over the New Testament. People who deserved judgement, instead being shown compassion. People are given a second chance.

Saul of Tarsus seeks out and murders Christians. God meets him and offers him redemption. He goes from a terrorist, to a teacher.

Plenty of people all over scripture being changed from sinners to saints.

Even today:

June 17, 2015, in Charleston, South Carolina

9 people were killed in a church shooting

24 hours later at his bond hearing families of the victims had a chance to talk directly to the shooter

There’s a lot of room for hate here. Imagine what you would have to say to the person who took a loved one from you.

Yet, the first person who gets up is Nadine Collier who lost her mother in the shooting.

She says: “I forgive you. You took something very precious from me. I will never talk to her again. I will never, ever hold her again. But I forgive you. And have mercy on your soul”

The next person goes up, and says “I’d like to say the same thing she said, but also add - repent!” You are on the wrong road and you need to change!

We can only find this kind of compassion from the truth that sets us free - Jesus is King!

So what does this mean for us today. The same thing it’s always meant! The same truth about God in the New Testament and the Old Testament are still true today.

Context for Today

Today:

1. Because Jesus is King, We Can be Calm

2. Because Jesus is King, We Can be Confident

3. Because Jesus is King, We Can be Compassionate

This world is full of chaos and fear. But if you believe this to be true - that the God who created everything and everyone has a good plan in place for his people - then you are free from the chaos and fear! We take comfort in that - but also find a challenge to live like that is true. Do you live a calm, confident, and compassionate life?

If you are a Christian and have surrendered your life, the Bible commands you NOT to be anxious! Our anxiety is just a sign that there are areas in our life that we have not completely given to God. Do you allow yourself to get lost in the stresses and chaos of the world, or do you live in the peace the surpasses all understanding?

Do you confidently live your life for God - despite the consequences? Polycarp confidently displayed the gospel to the very people determined to kill him for his faith. Do you even mention Christ to the person you see at work every day? We get worried about the consequences however minor, but we are called to confidently live out our lives for Christ.

Do you live a life of compassion? Does the love God has for you overflow into how you interact with others?

There’s application for you here even if you wouldn’t call yourself a Christian. Whether you’ve grown up in church, or this is your first time hearing what Christians believe, there’s something for you to take from this too. The same invitation given at the end of Psalm 2 is extended to you. There is judgement coming, but now is a time of mercy.

Repent, and trust in Christ and your life will completely change. Not only will your eternity significantly improve, but your life here on earth will be changed in every way. You too can have this calmness, confidence, and compassion to navigate this world full of chaos and fear.