Psalm 2:1-12 - Kiss the Son

Introduction

Happy Thanksgiving to you!

It seems to me that Thanksgiving might be the most Christian of all American holidays. Of course, Christmas and Easter both have explicit Christian themes and substance… so it might seem strange that I would put these under Thanksgiving as Christian holidays in America.

But Christmas and Easter both have alternative secular or pagan themes. You can exchange presents at Christmas, sing songs about Santa and Frosty, and never think once about Christ or Christianity. So too, you could hunt Easter eggs, dress in a new spring outfit, and never think anything about the one man in real history who actually rose again to eternal life from the depth of the darkest grave.

And yet, Thanksgiving is a holiday that necessarily requires (if you think about it for more than 3 seconds)… it necessarily requires giving of thanks to someone. There must be some source or origin to all the blessings I enjoy, and Thanksgiving encourages me (and every American) to stop and acknowledge it.

I’m thankful for all sorts of things… not just this week… but all the time… I’m thankful for my family, for my church, for my relative health, for the friendship and affection shared between me and those who know and love me… And more than anything else, I’m thankful for God’s grace toward sinners like me in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

I’m also thankful (in keeping with the Thanksgiving holiday) for the Christian principles, traditions, and aims of many of those people who first came to the American shores. Those who celebrated the first Thanksgiving were explicitly Christian – they were English Separatists (separating from the Church of England) who came to the New World with a mission to establish a Protestant Christian Commonwealth.

They (like many of the American founders) understood something that a lot of Christians in America today have forgotten – that individual men as well as collections of them (in the form of nations and peoples and tribes) must either submit to Christ as ultimate King or they will inevitably rebel against Him.

Thanksgiving is an American holiday precisely because America (as a nation) has been heavily influenced by Christianity (esp. Protestant Christianity).

But not all nations have such an influence, and many (over the centuries) have tried to stamp out Christianity when it spread among the citizens.

Right from the earliest days of Christianity, various Roman officials rose up against Christ and His people. Some enforced local and sporadic persecutions throughout the Roman empire for the first 200 years or so, and in 303 AD the emperor Diocletian issued several edicts which amounted to an empire-wide effort to eliminate Christianity – he burned church buildings, he destroyed Christian writings (including the Scriptures), he arrested pastors, he commanded overt idolatry (or killed those who refused), and he denied Christians any legal rights.

Friends, this is what it looks like when civil rulers unmask their opposition to Christ. And this sort of persecution is not gone from the world… it has continued for nearly two millennia.

Right now – in the year of our Lord Jesus Christ 2025 – fifty to sixty countries formally persecute Christians through state-sanctioned laws and policies (depending on how you define “state-sanctioned” and “persecution”).

Last month, President Trump (and his administration) designated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” for Christian persecution. Militant Muslims are targeting Christians (and others) for capture, imprisonment, and murder.

In North Korea (a communist state), Christianity is formally marked as a “hostile ideology.” Christians there face torture, labor camps, and death.

In China (another communist regime), all religious groups must agree to teach according to state propaganda (enforced by surveillance). And unregistered Christian churches are forcibly closed, church leaders are arrested, and sometimes Christians are “disappeared.”

In Iran and Pakistan (both Islamic states), Muslim laws forbid conversion to Christianity, and blasphemy against Islam can result in mob violence, arrest, and even death.

Friends, this reminds us that what is true of individuals is also true of nations – Christ is King over all, and either we will submit to Him with reverence and love, or we will rebel against Him with rage and hostility… there is no such thing as theological neutrality… not for individuals and not for society.

Today, we are continuing our study through the first 5 Psalms, and we’ve come now to Psalm 2. After the Psalms were written and compiled, they were arranged in a particular order, and it is no coincidence that this Psalm follows what we considered last Sunday.

Psalm 1 was implicitly calling us to a moral life (i.e., to the way of benediction or blessing) and showing us our duty (i.e., we ought to choose the blessed or wise path). So, this Psalm today is explicitly evangelical – it shows us our Savior-King, and it tells us what we must do in order to take refuge in Him.

And we can see, right from the beginning, that Psalm 2 is aimed at “nations” and “peoples” and “kings” and “rulers” (v1-2), but what is true of nations is also true of individuals. Like kings and queens of our own little kingdoms, we do not naturally want God or His Christ to rule over us. We naturally lash out in rage when our illusions of sovereignty or self-rule or independence are threatened.

But God has established Christ as King (to save His people and destroy His enemies), and God invites us to submit to and serve Christ with both fear and joy.

May God build us up in faith and motivate us to action today.

Scripture Reading

Psalm 2:1–12 (ESV)

1 Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?

2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against his Anointed, saying, 3 “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.”

4 He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision. 5 Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying, 6 “As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill.”

7 I will tell of the decree: The LORD said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you. 8 Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession. 9 You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.”

10 Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. 11 Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. 12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

Main Idea:

It is natural for sinners to rebel against the authority of Jesus Christ, but God has set Him upon the cosmic throne both to save and to destroy, and sinners may find refuge in Him by serving Him with fear and joy.

Sermon

1. Vain Violence (v1-3)

It is natural for sinners to violently rebel against the authority of Christ.

Such a doctrine or teaching is easily observed here once we understand the vocabulary of this Psalm.

Who are “the kings of earth” and “the rulers” (v2)?

Technically, “the kings of earth” are those who have supreme power in the world, and “the rulers” are those judges or senators or governors who are under “the kings” (v2).

Poetically, “the kings of earth” and “the rulers” (v2) are representatives of “the nations” and “the peoples” (v1).

What are “kings,” “rulers,” “nations,” and “peoples” doing (v2-3)?

They have “set themselves” (v2) or “taken their stand” (NASB).

They are “taking counsel together” (v2).

Their aim is to “burst their bonds apart” and “cast away their cords from us” (v3).

In other words, they are uniting their cunning and assembling their forces in a fight to break free from those who wield or exercise authority over them – namely “the LORD” and “his Anointed” (v2).

Who are “the LORD” and “his Anointed” (v2)?

The OT word “LORD” (capital “LORD”) is the tetragrammaton – the four consonants (YHWH) referencing the holy name of God.

The OT/Hebrew word translated “Anointed” is Messiah.

The NT/Greek equivalent is χριστός or Christ.

Context always tells us how these are being used, and this Psalm is all about “the LORD” God and His “Messiah” or Christ.

The “LORD” is Him who “sits” enthroned “in the heavens” (v4), Him who “speaks” in “wrath” against rebellious sinners (v5), and Him who has “set” His own “King” upon the cosmic or universal throne (v6).

The “Anointed” one (or Messiah) is the “Son” of God (v7), the cosmic “king” (v6), and the one through whom “the LORD” will ultimately (A) unleash His “wrath” and (B) provide His “refuge” (v12).

From our vantage point, we can see that “the LORD” and “his Anointed” are here referring to God the Father and God the Son – and specifically the Son as the God-man Jesus Christ.

This is a Messianic psalm, which collects promises from the OT and anticipates their fulfillment in Jesus Christ.

And it is fascinating here that “the LORD” and “his Anointed” are so closely joined that violence or rebellion against the one is tantamount to rebellion against the other…

The “kings” and “rulers” and “nations” and “peoples” are “set” and “together” against “the LORD” and “his Anointed” – they want to “burst their bonds” and “cast away their cords” (v3).

Friends, it is natural for sinners (represented by “kings” and “rulers”) to rebel against the authority of God and of His Christ.

Sinners are not content to let the reign of Christ go unchallenged.

It is precisely here – at the announcement or thought that Christ not only saves but also rules – that sinners find their rage, their violence, and their every desire to break free.

Let the Christian believe that Christ is savior, let him celebrate that Christ forgives sin, but when the man who fears and loves the Lord Jesus announces that Christ is King… this cannot be tolerated.

Brothers and sisters, why should we be surprised when our friends or family become belligerent with us when we bring up Christ’s authority over them?

I wonder if some of us avoid certain conversations because of our worry about how others may respond…

What friend of yours or family member is claiming to be a Christian right now but living (in some way) in open rebellion against Christ’s commands?

Will you talk with them about Christ’s authority?

It is also astonishing (though not surprising) just how irrational sinners become when defending their sin.

The psalmist asked a question of astonishment: “Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?” (v1).

Who, in their right mind, would make a plan to go to war against the Lord God and His Messiah or Christ?

Such a strategy or effort is “vain” (v1)!

But this shows us the nature of sin.

When wickedness reigns in our hearts, we are prone to take up the most foolish cause.

Most objections from non-Christians are usually just protecting their sin.

Friends, it’s natural for sinners to rebel against Christ’s authority, but this is a vain violence… it doesn’t change the fact that Christ is God’s anointed king.

2. Cosmic King (v4-9)

While rebellion and even violence against God and His Christ are natural for sinners, God has unchangeably, irrevocably, and permanently set Christ upon the cosmic throne… both to save and to destroy.

All the raging and conspiratorial rebellion of the “kings” and “peoples” and “rulers” and “nations” might as well be a pack of dogs barking at the moon. There the moon sits up in the sky, shining bright as ever… though the dogs bark as loud and energetic as they will.

The psalmist says (in v4), “He who sits in the heavens [i.e., sits upon the cosmic throne] laughs; the Lord [i.e., the “Adonai” or the true king/master] holds them [i.e., the trivial kings of earth] in derision [or “He mocks them”]” (v4).

But what is even more absurd, is that the raging dogs are barking, not at an inanimate object that means them neither good nor ill, but a reigning and powerful sovereign with the authority to bless them or curse them… to save or destroy.

Let’s learn something of this cosmic king here in Psalm 2: (1) He is God’s king by decree, (2) He is God’s unique Son, (3) He is simultaneously both king and priest, and (4) He is the destroyer of His enemies.

God’s “anointed” or Messiah/Christ is king by divine decree (v6-7).

The psalmist says (starting in v4), “He who sits in the heavens laughs… [and] will speak… in his wrath [against those vain and unrepentant sinners]… saying, ‘As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill’” (v6).

Then the psalmist says (in v7), “I will tell of the decree…”

But what “decree” is this?

It is a decree that describes everything we’re reading today about God’s “anointed” in v7-9.

It goes back at least to God’s OT covenantal promise to King David in his dying days.

In 2 Samuel 7, God said to David, “When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you… and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son” (2 Sam. 7:12-14).

Thus, we have testimony from king David (the author of this psalm) that God has already decided who is His cosmic king, and God has already decreed it from long ago.

Brothers and sisters, we may learn and be reminded here that God’s word of promise is absolutely sure.

Even if every “king” and “ruler” and “people” and “nation” of the whole earth would assemble themselves together in an effort to overthrow God’s authority and to overturn His word, God’s dependability is guaranteed… “Let God be true though every man were a liar” (Rom. 3:4).

God’s anointed one is King (1) because God has unchangeably decreed it so… and also (2) because He is uniquely qualified.

God’s cosmic King is the unique Son of God (v7).

The first thing the psalmist recites about “the LORD’s” decree (i.e., God’s word about His Anointed or Messiah or Christ) is that His “King” is His unique “Son.”

The psalmist says (in v7), “The LORD said to me, ‘You are my Son; today I have begotten you…’” (v7).

The author of Hebrews picks up on this verse to begin his argument that Jesus is better, which is the repeated refrain throughout the book of Hebrews.

Hebrews 1 says that Jesus is “the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature” (Heb. 1:3).

Jesus “upholds the universe by the word of his power” (Heb. 1:3).

After Jesus made “purification for sins,” He “sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Heb. 1:3).

Friends, Jesus was and is God’s King because He is uniquely qualified – He is both God and man.

He is God the Son, and He has been so from before time and creation began.

And He is the Son of king David, the promised “offspring” who reigns over God’s eternal kingdom.

Jesus is God’s “King” (1) because God has unchangeably decreed it… (2) because Jesus is uniquely qualified… and (3) because God’s plan has always been to save sinners through His King.

God’s cosmic King is simultaneously both king and priest (v8).

The next thing the psalmist says about God’s “King” (in his reciting of the divine “decree”) is that this “King” has the authority to “Ask” and to receive “the nations” as His “heritage” and “the ends of the earth” as His “possession” (v8).

It is gloriously comforting that the first action of the decreed and unique “King” described here is that of intercession – God’s anointed (or Messiah) is invited to “ask” the “LORD” for “the nations” (v8).

Friends, God’s judgment is sure, but you do not have to suffer under it if you will hear the urgent and gracious invitation today – “Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you parish in the way… Blessed are all who take refuge in him” (v12).

Christ has lived and died in the place of sinners, and He is the intercessor (or priest-king) whose inheritance shall be repenting believers from every generation and place on earth… You can know Him as priest and as savior… and not as your enemy and destroyer.

Jesus is God’s “King” (1) because of God’s decree… (2) because of His unique qualification as Son… (3) because of God’s purpose to save sinners through His Messiah… and (4) because of God’s purpose to destroy His enemies through that same Messiah.

God’s cosmic King is the destroyer of His enemies (v9).

The last feature of the divine decree describes what is necessarily true of any good King – if He is to save His people, then He must also destroy His enemies (and theirs).

The psalmist says, “You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel” (v9).

Note again the inevitability of the true King’s success and the ease with which He will accomplish it – His “iron” “rod” or “scepter” will smash His enemies as though they were clay pots on the shelf.

Friends, the Lord has appointed a time when He shall rise and destroy the enemies of His people.

And so he has always done.

Consider the pharaoh of old, his magicians, and his whole army arrayed against God’s people with their backs to the Red Sea.

Think what it must have been like to see the violent hoard (horses, chariots, and soldiers) running after God’s people as they made their way through the parted waters on dry ground.

And then how swiftly and effortlessly God let loose the tumult in order to destroy the whole lot.

Friends, whatever opposition there may be to Christ and to His people in this world, God has set Christ (His unique Son) upon the cosmic throne both to save and to destroy. Christ’s reign is sure and steady, His purpose is both salvation and judgment, and He will inevitably accomplish His will… Therefore, everyone everywhere should repent… Kiss the Son and serve Him with fear and joy.

3. Wrath or Refuge? (v10-12)

Note here what is common throughout the whole Bible – that when God’s judgment and fury and wrath are emphasized, it is with the express purpose of turning rebellious sinners into repenting ones… so that they will enjoy God’s blessing and not suffer His wrath.

This psalm describes the natural rebellion of sinners – from the least to the greatest – and it describes the sure and universal reign of Christ as God’s true King… and the takeaway is a genuine evangelistic call:

“Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. Serve [or worship] the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him” (v10-12).

Let’s consider four applications as we conclude: (1) no one is exempt from this obligation to submit to God’s King, (2) there is no neutral ground under God’s King, (3) the gospel includes both promise and warning, and (4) the right response to Christ (to God’s King) is both fear and joy.

No one is exempt from this obligation to submit to God’s King.

The tandem commands here in our psalm are to “serve” or worship “the LORD” (v11) and to “Kiss the Son” (v12).

To “kiss the Son” is the same as to submit to Him – to accept Him in all His offices, to yield our wills to His, and obey His laws with humility and love.

God and His Anointed are due our worship and our submission, and this is true of every person everywhere.

Presidents, congressmen, senators, judges, governors, mayors, police officers, schoolboard members, and dog catchers… public officials and private citizens… all are under obligation to bend their knee to Christ as King.

It is true that Christ is Savior of sinners, but those sinners who know Him as Savior must also know Him as King – remember that Christ’s priestly work is accomplished from/in His kingly throne.

There is no neutral ground under God’s King.

There is “rage” against “the LORD” and His “Anointed” (v1-2), or there is “service” of “the LORD” and submission to His “Son” (v11-12).

There is “wisdom” in heeding the “warning” (v10), or there is “death” in “the way” of foolishness (v12).

There is “blessing” for “all who take refuge” in Christ, or there is cursing for all who remain in their hostility against Him (v12).

Friends, there is no secular-sacred divide in the world, and our Savior-King wields authority over all people, all locations, all institutions, all governments, all nations… He is the cosmic King!

Either men and women, kings and rulers submit to Christ as King or they resist Him, they set themselves against Him, they rage to free themselves from Him… it just depends on how heavy they are feeling His authority over them at any given moment of the day.

The gospel includes both promise and warning.

Just as I’ve been saying, there is no neutral ground; therefore, the gospel of Jesus Christ includes both a promise of blessing and a warning of cursing.

Consider the words of the psalm: “Now therefore… be wise… be warned” (v10), and “blessed are all who take refuge in him” (v12).

Brothers and sisters, does your gospel include a warning?

When you’re talking with a friend about Jesus, do you ever, sometimes, often bring up the warning of God’s curse upon those who continue on with indifference?

It is interesting to me that the Bible typically describes the gospel and its implications to those who presumably believe with words of comfort, of assurance, and of love… but to those who presumably do not believe, the Bible announces the gospel as a kingly call to repent before it’s too late.

I wonder if the typical way we tend to talk about the gospel of Christ hasn’t got this entirely backwards.

God help me…

There is a wonderful promise of blessing here for those who “serve the LORD” and “Kiss the Son” (v11-12).

“Blessed are all who take refuge in him” (v12).

The right response to Christ (to God’s King) is both fear and joy.

Brothers and sisters, we must neither presume upon God’s grace nor dread His judgment.

If we rejoice only (without fear and trembling) when we hear of the grace of God in Christ, then it may be easy for us to presume on God’s grace.

So too, if we fear and tremble only (without rejoicing) when we hear of the wrath of God in Christ, then it may be easy for us to wallow in despair.

But the one who “serves the LORD with fear,” who “rejoices with trembling,” and who “kisses” or submits to “the Son” in order to “take refuge,” this is the one who knows God’s blessing in this life and will enjoy God’s blessing in full in the life to come.

Friends, it is natural for sinners to rebel against the authority of Jesus Christ, but God has set Him upon the cosmic throne to save and to destroy, and sinners may find refuge in Him by serving Him with both fear and joy.