Psalm 2

Psalm 2:1–3 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.”

Most likely David wrote this psalm.

As with most Kings David faced opposition.

David had people who rose up and challenged his kingship.

Psalm 2:1–3 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.”

This Psalm starts off by the psalmist describing the nations and it leaders wanting to overthrow theLord against his Anointed

The nations rage (vs. 1) or why are they so angry?

People plot in vain (vs.1) Why do people waste their time with futile plans?

The kings set themselves (vs.2) (they are getting ready for battle

The rulers take council together. (vs.2)

They are plotting against God and his Leader. His annointed

We are guilty of this quiet often.

In our lives how many times do we want to overthrow the Lord and those God as established in authority Jesus

How often do we get angry at God plan?

How often do we plot out our course?

How often do we get ready to do battle with God over the thrones of our lives or the ones he has placed in authority

When we do we are guilty just like these rulers of plotting against the Lord.

We do this in church as well.

How often do we want to overthrow Gods plan for our church or even overthrow God so we can rule and be supreme?

How often do we get angry at Gods plan for the church?

We are all guilty

We get angry when something is going on we don’t like

How often do we plot our our own course?

We plot our own course in little regard to what God wants.

We prepare to do battle with anyone who may stand against us.

How often do we get ready to do battle with God?

We are guilty as well.

we are guilty

Verse 3 tells us these rulers and Kings say “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.

The New Living Translation puts it like this: Let us break their chains, they cry and free ourselves from slavery to God.

Many have cried this out and felt they where in bondage to God. Because they wanted something so bad and desired something so bad that the way of the Lord felt like bondage. So they fight to break the chains.

But does the Bible not say

Matthew 11:30 ESV

30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

The way of God is the only way. For it makes the yoke of life easy and it makes the burden light because he is guiding you and you are following your king.

I love verse 4

Psalm 2:4 ESV

4 He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision.

Is God afraid of mans plan against him and his annointed. Is God worried they they will over throw him and his plan.

No. verse 4 tells us that God laughs at the idea of us going against him. He laughs at the idea of us doing it our own way.

This verse tells us that God laughs at the idea of us going against him. He laughs at the idea of us doing it our own way.

He laughs because of how crazy that idea is. That I would rebell, that I would fight and go against God, so that I can place myself on the throne of my life.

When you think of it like that it is laughable and crazy

The Lord holds them in derision.

The Lord scoffs at them.

The lord at this point could let them go to themselves and if so then they would certainly end up in more trouble and most likley turnning completey from God and end in Hell.

But verse 5 shows us a gracious God even in his anger.

Psalm 2:5–6 ESV

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.”

God will speak and when he speaks it will be his wrath.

When God speaks it will be his judgment.

This will terrify them. They will be afraid of his anger and his wrath, and his power, and his holiness

God will say, I will set my King on Zion, my holy hill.

God says I am the one who determines who rules and I have chosen my son Jesus Christ to rule.

I have made him King of Zion.

Zion is referred to 40 times in the book of psalms

It was a orginally a Canaanite city conquered by David.

It later became referred to the temple area and then the entire city of Jerusalem.

Holy Hill refers to the temple mount.

In light of the new testament we know who know who this King is. We Know that Jesus came to earth and died on the cross for our sins, and then rose from the grave.

We know that Jesus is the King of King and Lord of Lords

We know that he will return as king.

So in Gods righteous angry he says that He will make Jesus King of all.

Charles Spurgeon writes: ‘While they are proposing, he has disposed the matter. Jehovah’s will is done, and man’s will frets and raves in vain. God’s Anointed is appointed, and shall not be disappointed.’1

Psalm 2:7–9 ESV

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.”

1 Spurgeon, Treasury, vol. i, p. 11.

Psalm 2:7 ESV

7 I will tell of the decree: The Lord said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you.

Pslam 2:7-9

Roger Ellsworth, Opening up Psalms, Opening Up Commentary (Leominster: Day One Publications, 2006), 183.

Psalm 2:7–9 ESV

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.”

In verse 7 the Lord speaks

Pslam 2: 7-9

Jesus takes them back to before the garden when God decreed he should reign and the plan was put in motion to redeem man.

As I have said before God has only had a plan A. God sending his son was not a plan B.

God at that point anointed Christ to become sin so that we might be forgiven and nothing can change that.

Nothing in this world now or will ever happen or take place that can change the fact that God the son died for our sins and if we call on his name then those sins are forgiven. No matter how much man may plan.

Verse 8 speaks to a day when God will have all the nations as his heritage and the ends of the earth as his possession.

Revelation 21:1–8 ESV

1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” 5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 6 And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. 7 The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. 8 But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

The King that

Psalm 2:10–12 ESV

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.

Now in light of all that:

David addresses the oppersors of Christ and say be wise

Think this thing through.

Use some common since. you are not going to win opposing God.

Verse 11 David instructs them to serve the Lord with fear

David is saying worship God.

Recognize His greatness and bow in awe of Him.

Verse 11 David also instructs them to rejoice with trembling

In other words submit to God where you will find true happiness and joy

Verse 12 Kiss the son

Love Jesus and stop hating Gods King

Then verse 12 ends with a warning.

If you don’t God will be angry, You will perish