Read Psalm 2
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.”
4 He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision. 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.”
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.”
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.[1]
Understand Psalm 2
I. The nations rage (vv. 1-3)
From the beginning of time, sinful man has rebelled against the Lord and against his Anointed. We don’t let God’s Word tell us what to do. We don’t accept the good news as truly good or see our need for a Savior. We don’t view our sin as slavery or recognize God’s judgment just around the corner. We don’t want the Lord to be our Master.
II. The Lord rebukes (vv. 4-6)
God judges the wicked and punishes our foolish pride. He mocks all earthly kings when he sets his Son upon the throne. We are helpless to stand against him.
III. The Son will rule (vv. 7-9)
The word “begotten” does not mean that God’s Son was either “born” or “created,” but rather speaks of his ascension to the throne and his coronation as King. This messianic psalm points 1,000 years ahead to Jesus as God’s beloved Son (Matt 3:17; 17:5) who would reign as King from David’s line (John 1:49).
- Jesus was enthroned at his incarnation. During his earthly life, God’s Son transcended the angels though he had come as a humble man (Heb 1:5-6). He was the only person who ever lived a perfect life, while all since Adam were sinners by nature and sinners by choice.
- Jesus was enthroned in his crucifixion when he died in the place of sinners (Rom 5:8). According to Acts 4:24-28, kings and nations such as Herod, Pilate, and the Jewish Sanhedrin raged against the Lord and against his Anointed. Yet they were mere instruments of the sovereign God to do whatever his hand and his plan had predestined to take place.
- Jesus was enthroned at his resurrection by which he saves us from sin (Rom 10:9; see 4:25), grants new life (6:4), and promises our resurrection in glory (8:11).
- Lastly, Jesus will be enthroned at his second coming. The eternal King of kings will judge the wicked and reward the righteous. Despite one final raging of the nations (Rev 11:18; 19:19), Christ will “rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty” (v. 15).
IV. The wise take refuge (vv. 10-12)
Rebels receive salvation and sinners are spared from wrath when we worship the Lord and submit to his Son (v. 11). Although we hate to think of Jesus as an angry Judge who pours out wrath, a holy King must surely punish sin.
God showed his love toward us by sending Jesus to take our place (John 3:16; 2 Cor 5:21). At the cross, he poured out both grace and wrath. Therefore, “kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled” (v. 12a). Sinners must fall at the feet of Jesus and pay homage to the King. We must humble ourselves and kiss the Son who bore God’s wrath on our behalf. “Blessed are all who take refuge in him” (v. 12b) and find mercy at the cross.
Jesus Christ, God’s Son, God’s King, God’s promised Messiah holds out his nail-pierced hands to us. In one hand he warns of danger, while in the other he promises delight. He will one day come to judge, but today is the day of grace. Better to bow before him now than to be broken when he returns.
Apply Psalm 2
- Memorize Psalm 2:10-12.
- Meditate on the many ways God’s Son, Jesus Christ, has blessed you through his person and his work.
- Confess any sinful pride and put on Christ-like humility.
- Identify one practice this week by which you can more rightly worship Christ as King.
Pray Psalm 2
- Lord, put down rebellion, even in my own heart (vv. 1-3).
- Thank you for providing a King to rule your people (vv. 4-6).
- We praise you for sending your Son as our promised Messiah (vv. 7-9).
- Help us to serve you, O Lord, with reverential obedience and hearts of rejoicing (vv. 10-11).
- Teach us to always take refuge in you (v. 12).
- “Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” (Rev 22:20).
Counsel Psalm 2
Psalm 2 points to Jesus as the Lord’s Anointed (vv. 1-3), the King of kings (vv. 4-6), the beloved Son (vv. 7-9), and the Savior of the humble (vv. 10-12). A wise counselor helps the prideful sinner choose Jesus instead of remaining in rebellion.
Projects for Growth
- Read Psalm 2 three times slowly. Then make a chart with two columns and write down the characteristics of both earthly kings and the divine King of kings.
- Read Acts 4:24-28 and recall the earthly powers set against Jesus during his incarnation. Why was God’s Son so hated by others?
- Are you pridefully raging against the Lord in any area of your life today? Are you tempted to enthrone any counterfeit kings? Stop to confess any areas in which the Lord is not your Master.
- Observe the similarities between Psalm 1 and Psalm 2. How does each Psalm present different facets of our Lord Jesus Christ?
- How did God pour out both grace and wrath at the cross of Christ? Why does the way of salvation require humility instead of good works or human achievement?
- Meditate on the many ways God’s Son, Jesus Christ, has blessed you through his life, death, resurrection. What are you looking forward to in Christ’s soon-coming return?
- Memorize Psalm 2:10-12 and make it your daily prayer.
- For further study, read Thomas Watson’s sermon, “Kiss the Son.”
[1] Psalms 1 and 2 are a linked pair—the foundation stones of the entire psalter. In fact, many ancient commentators considered this pair to be a single psalm.
| Psalm 1 | Psalm 2 |
|---|---|
| Psalm 1 begins with a beatitude, “Blessed” [asher] (1:1). The blessed man meditates on God’s written Word (1:1-2). | Psalm 2 ends with the very same word, “Blessed” (2:12). The blessed man humbles himself before the living Word, God’s Son (2:10-12). |
| You cannot meditate on God’s Word without being led to worship God’s Son. | You cannot worship God’s Son apart from knowing the truth of him in God’s Word. |
| Psalm 1 contrasts the righteous and the sinner. | Psalm 2 contrasts a rebellious world and the righteous Son. |
| The blessed man “meditates” [hagah] on God’s Word (1:2). | The nations “plot” (same word as “meditate”) with bitterness, anger, and malice (2:1). |
| The wicked are blown away like chaff (1:4). | The wicked are broken in pieces like pottery (2:9). |
| The righteous one is like a tree planted beside streams of water (1:3). | The Righteous One is a King set on the holy hill of Zion (2:6). |
| “The way [derek] of the wicked will perish” (1:6). | The wicked are to “kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way” (2:12). |
