Some Thoughts On Psalm 2

Uplook – March 2020 — Grace & Truth Magazine

Some Thoughts On Psalm 2

Psalm 2 begins by asking, “Why do the nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing?” (v.1 NKJV ). We see some of this in our day, but the ultimate will not happen until after the Lord comes for the Church (1 Th. 4:13-18). The believers will be taken from this scene and changed, in the twinkling of an eye (1 Cor. 15:51-57). Meanwhile, the kings and leaders of the earth “set themselves and ... take counsel together against the Lord and against His Anointed” (Ps. 2:2). The unbelieving people of the world have an evil desire, not wanting God to rule over them (v.3). They said it of the Lord Jesus when they convinced Pilate to crucify Him (Mk. 15:12-14; see Lk. 19:14).

There is a saying, “He who laughs last laughs best.” The idea is that the last one to laugh has succeeded when others did not think he would, having laughed at him before. Those not wanting God are laughing today, but God will get the last laugh (Ps. 2:4). Worldly people have made fun of us – God’s people – for many years, and in Him we too will, in a sense, get the last laugh.

God will speak in His wrath. Through faith in Christ, I am on the right side with God, in His favor. God’s wrath will not reach me. What about you? Are you sheltered by the blood of Jesus Christ, having accepted God’s offer of salvation through His Son?

Through the psalmist, God the Father prophetically declared, “I have set My King on My holy hill of Zion” (v.6). There is a lot of bickering about how much of Jerusalem belongs to the Jews and how much to the Palestinians, but that city, that holy hill, belongs to God. He will ultimately put everything in its place. This will be done through the King – the Lord Jesus Christ (see Rev. 19:11-16). Remember, even the wise men from the east called the Lord the “King of the Jews” (Mt. 2:2). However, He has not yet publicly taken that position, for it was necessary that the cross came first.

In Psalm 2:8-9 the Father is recorded as saying to Jesus Christ, “Ask of Me, and I will give You the nations for Your inheritance, and the ends of the earth for Your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel.” We see this taking place in Revelation 19:15, when the Son – the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Christ Jesus – “will rule with a rod of iron.”

After speaking about these things, the psalmist tells us to “be wise” (Ps. 2:10). Being wise means that we are given a certain authority and are to have the right perspective. This takes instruction. May we faithfully study God’s Word!

We are to “serve the LORD with fear” (v.11). “Fear” is deeper than “reverential respect,” as it is often called. It includes the thought that I do not want to displease Him in any way. Therefore, my rejoicing is “with trembling” (v.11). He is the God of all creation, and He can affect my life as He pleases, to His glory.

The final verse begins with the appeal to “kiss the Son” (v.12). I need to have a close relationship with “the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Gal. 2:20). The verse in Psalm 2 continues: “... Lest He be angry, and you perish in the way.” Think of those who will have nothing to do with Jesus Christ; consider the wrath they face from God. However, “blessed are all those who put their trust in Him” (v.12).

By Curt Darling

Lord Jesus, we love Thee, and joyfully pour The praises of worshiping hearts at Thy feet; Lord Jesus, we love Thee; we love and adore The name that to God and to us is so sweet.
Thy name, blessed Lord, is as ointment poured forth; And e’en as we utter it, fragrance doth rise To the Father, who only its excellent worth, Its matchless perfection, in fullness can prize.—Catherine Helene von Poseck (1859–1953)