As the introduction to the book of Psalms continues, we see the scope of the writer widen. While Psalm 1 focused on the personal level, Psalm 2 takes a global approach.
Verses 1-3
The psalmist begins with a question,
Why do the nations rebel and the peoples plot in vain?
Essentially, this Psalm is world history wrapped in 12 verses. Nations and peoples plot against God’s anointed. They build concentration camps, detonate bombs, pass legislations. They set a course and make their plans all in an attempt to make themselves the ultimate authority in place of the God who governs all nations.
Verses 4-6
What does God do? Verse 4 says He laughs and ridicules them. He speaks in His anger, His tone sending shock waves of terror through the lands.
I have consecrated my King on Zion, My holy mountain.
All the treaties in the world are nothing in the face of God’s plan for the nations.
All the treaties in the world are nothing in the face of God's plan for the nations. Click To TweetVerses 7-9
Verse 7 is quite interesting. It is almost as if we are getting a glimpse at God the Father determining roles for the Trinity. As the Son, Christ receives the nations as His inheritance. He prophecies that Christ will break the nations with a rod of iron like pottery. The words sound familiar because they are echoed in Revelation 2:27, 12:15, and 19:15. They are also included in the famous Handel’s Messiah, which reminds us every holiday season of God’s unfathomable, sacrificial plan to redeem the nations.
Verses 10-12
The psalm concludes with a word of warning similar to the one Psalm 1 began with. The psalmist urges the kings of the earth to submit and pay homage to the Son. He promises that all who take refuge in the Son will be happy.
From a modern perspective, we humans look at the world around us and fear. We are afraid for our lives and the lives of our children. We feel the existence of our country weigh in the balance of the national election. All the while God is laughing.
We should vote, and we should do so from the place of Christian values. We should fight against corruption in government and we should support and defend Israel. But in the end, The Lord will be our King. His throne, the holy hill of Zion.
Whom shall I fear? The God of angel armies is always by my side.
– Whom Shall I Fear lyrics by Chris Tomlin
This post is Day 2 of the 31 Days of Journaling through the Psalms series. If you would like to read the previous post, Psalm 1: The Wise and the Wicked, click here. The introduction to the series can be found here.
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