The 2nd Psalm

To day I am going to bring up Psalm 2. This psalm historically looked at seems to be declaring that David the anointed and his heirs are protected by God from the nations. However as will be shown this is more of a declaration of Glory to the Messiah and God who will come and usher in his kingdom at the end of this age.

Interestingly this psalm is referenced in acts 4:25. For Peter and John are taken before the Sanhedrin after healing a lame man in the name of Jesus to be questioned about them preaching and healing in the name of Jesus and they went back to the other followers of the Way and cited the 2 psalm and referenced how Jesus was the anointed spoken of in it so First I will show the verses in acts then we can venture to the Psalm and have a look.

Acts Ch 4 Verse 19-28 (kjv)

19 But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.
20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
21 So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done.
22 For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed.
23 And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.
24 And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:
25Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?

26 The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.
27 For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,
28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.

Ok, so while they didn’t call out Psalm 2. Verse 25 is a reference to the opening verse of Psalm 2 meaning that is the psalm they are talking about.

So lets now Look at Psalm 2

Psalm 2 (kjv)

1 WHY do the heathen rage and the people imagine a vain thing?

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 break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.

4 He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh; the Lord shall have them in derision.

5 Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.

6 Yet have I set my King upon my holy hill of Zion.

7 I will declare the decree: The Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.

8 Ask of me and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance and the uttermost parts the earth for thy possession.

9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.

10 Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.

11 Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

12Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

As you can see this psalm speaks about God being who really is in charge of the earth not the kings.

This psalm starts out in verse 1 asking why the people of the earth and the leaders of the earth could possibly imagine something as foolish as breaking away from God and reject his Anointed.

Verses 2-3 are explaining what they are thinking of doing. Again this is simply to break away from God and be rulers onto themselves.

This is shown to be foolish by the way God deals with the idea.

In verse 4 it is said: He laughs and Shall have them in derision. (well what is derision lets take a look at Websters it Means: the use of ridicule or scorn to show contempt )

Well looks like the lord is going to hold them in contempt. How? Well verse 5 tells us. He will speak onto them in wrath (This wrath is the 2nd meaning of wrath 2 : retributory punishment for an offense or a crime. The crime they committed is to think they could rule in place of God and usurp Him and His Anointed.) and vex (or frustrate them) with his sore ( or extreme) displeasure.

verse 6 of the Psalm is saying God has set up the Ruler of earth on his holy hill Zion.

Verse 7 is the decree, God has said the king is his Son who He has set up to rule. When He says “Though art my Son; this day have I begotten the.” It is in reference to when He setup the Ruler of the earth. God planed the Messiah to be ruler of the earth before the universe was made. I will show this when I talk of John ch 1 later on this week. This should be understood as a declaration that God has chosen who is in charge and no one else can change it thus the folly of the kings who think otherwise and shows why he is going to Judge them harshly for trying to go against His decree.

In verse 8 God tells us he has given his Anointed the Messiah not just the sons of Jacob but the population of the world for an inheritance. As well as the whole Earth to rule over. This is again to illustrate why it is foolish for the Kings of the earth to think they can break away from God and His plan.

In Verse 9 God shows us the nations will be broken by the Messiah with a rod of Iron this referenced a lot in the New Testament and speaks of the future day of atonement when God brings the earth under His rule.

verses 10- 12 are a final warning and plea to the kings of the earth to do what is right before God. For the day is fast approaching when all of them will have to stand before the Lord and if they continue the idea of rebelling against God he will destroy them. However if they put trust into God they will be blessed. (this also serves as a reminder to the faithful to keep trusting God.)

So this is Psalm 2 a declaration to the Glory of God and his Son who He has declared is to be Ruler of the earth and that all will bow to Him.

Maranatha!