Staff Devotion: Psalm 2:4-9

Intro

Last week we read about the kings of the earth and how they mocked the Lord. These are the wicked people from Psalm 1:1. As this powerful Psalm continues, we see God’s response.

Psalm 2:4–5 “He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: The Lord shall have them in derision. Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, And vex them in his sore displeasure.”

God Derides Senseless People

Remember, this passage is specific to the context. Senseless and wicked Kings, mocking the Lord, will not prosper. But at the same time, this passage is timeless. Wicked and senseless people in any age will not prosper.

God is enthroned in heaven, He is sovereign. He laughs and ridicules the foolish leaders of the earth. Those who think that they are lords are in fact lord over nothing. One author can be quoted “He does not even rise from where he is sitting. He simply ‘laughs’ at these great impeciles” (Psalms 1-41, 24).

In other words, the pride of mankind, the pride that truly believes that is will conquer all and prosper under any circumstances, will not do so in reality. Psalm 24:1 is clear! “The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof; The world, and they that dwell therein.” Who is mankind to think any differently?

This is an original sin issue. The idea that if we do certain things (i.e., eat of the fruit) that we will be like God. Higher than we ought to be. God does not take lightly to this sort of behavior. So we see Him declare His sovereign plan.

God Declares His Sovereign Plan

Psalm 2:6 “Yet have I set my king Upon my holy hill of Zion.”

This is significant! The language here is decisive. It means “You may think that you will overthrow me. But, I have done this and it is final!”

A King will reign from Mt. Zion. From the holy mountain where David built his city and designated a place for the temple. Psalm 2:6 shows us that 2 Samuel 7:12-14 will come to pass!

2 Samuel 7:12–14 “And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever. I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men:”

So, finally. See the Son who reigns.

See the Son who Reigns

Psalm 2:7–9 “I will declare the decree: The Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; This day have I begotten thee. Ask of me, And I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, And the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.”

This is what all of Scripture is about. This is what all of Psalm 2 is about. The world rages, the nations fall apart. Heathen try to overwhelm God (in their ignorance).

But…

But, there comes a Son. The Son of God. Jesus the Christ. Under whom all nations can be crushed. To whom all knees will bow. About whom all tongues will confess “He is Lord.”

God is saying “You think you have the upper hand. But just wait.”

Isaiah 9:6-7 will come to pass. “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: And the government shall be upon his shoulder: And his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, Upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, To order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice From henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.”

Jesus will reign. Jesus now does reign. Jesus will forever reign.

Therefore, when the world around us seems to crumble. When life is at its hardest. When we do not know where else to turn. We can, with resolve, cry out as the Psalmist did “But Jesus is still on the throne.” Jesus is with us through His Holy Spirit to ensure that we don’t have to worry about the wicked and raging heathen. But He is also with us to remind us that we are no better than those heathen without being covered by the righteousness of Christ Jesus.

Stay humble. Stay alert. Trust that Jesus is on the throne and when the world is falling apart, look to Christ. He rules. We don’t.

Psalm 24:1 “The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof; The world, and they that dwell therein.”