Psalm 2
1 Why do the nations conspire
and the peoples plot in vain?
2 The kings of the earth rise up
and the rulers band together
against the LORD and against his anointed, saying,
3 “Let us break their chains
and throw off their shackles.”
4 The One enthroned in heaven laughs;
the Lord scoffs at them.
5 He rebukes them in his anger
and terrifies them in his wrath, saying,
6 “I have installed my king
on Zion, my holy mountain.”
7 I will proclaim the LORD’s decree:
He said to me, “You are my son;
today I have become your father.
8 Ask me,
and I will make the nations your inheritance,
the ends of the earth your possession.
9 You will break them with a rod of iron;
you will dash them to pieces like pottery.”
10 Therefore, you kings, be wise;
be warned, you rulers of the earth.
11 Serve the LORD with fear
and celebrate his rule with trembling.
12 Kiss his son, or he will be angry
and your way will lead to your destruction,
for his wrath can flare up in a moment.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him.
Psalm 1 and 2 together form an introduction the book of Psalms. Check out the Bible Project video on the Psalms for the overall structure of the book. Psalm 1 calls the people to covenant faithfulness and adherence to the Law of Moses. Psalm 2 calls them to hope and wait for the coming messianic kingdom. This is the tension that the people of Israel lived in during the kingdom era of redemption history—which is the era in which many of the Psalms were written.
Today, in our era of redemption history, the tension is different. We live in the era in which we know God's messianic king has come (ie. Jesus) and now are waiting for his return to finish what he started and fully bring his kingdom. This, many theologians have called the "already-not yet" tension. The kingdom of the Messiah has come but not yet in full. Therefore, although the exact tension is different because of the differing eras in redemption history, we still experience the tension of covenant faithfulness coupled with the hope and longing for something greater in the future. So this Psalm should speak to us both in an appreciation for the already revealed Messiah but also with the hope and longing for the not yet of something greater yet to come. We are called to pursue justice in out communities, help the poor, love our neighbors, strive for individual righteousness while knowing it will not be perfected until the return of Jesus.
As we saw a few weeks ago all of us should feel like exiles. These first two Psalms set the context for the entire book which can be thought of as a prayer book for exiles. The Psalms teach us to pray as we maintain faithfulness to God and hope for the next great thing he has promised to come to pass. While we exist in this tension, we pray and these Psalms teach us how to pray.
Specifically, Psalm 2 is clearly directed towards Israel's kings. It is often thought that this Psalm was read at the coronation ceremony of the king. It is a reflection on 2 Samuel 7:13-16 in which God establishes his covenant with David and his family line as kings of Israel. From this promise the hope had been that one king would arise from David's line to "crush the head of the serpent" (Gen. 3:15) and defeat evil forever. Yet, king after king came and went, each with serious flaws. None of them proved to be the promised one. So the people hoped and waited...
In this Psalm we will see two themes arise again and again. First is the theme of rule, authority and kingship. Second is the them of speech. We will tease these out as we go day by day through this text.
Additional Resources
The Two Ages by Benjamin L. Gladd
2 Samuel 7:13–16 13 He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with a rod wielded by men, with floggings inflicted by human hands. 15 But my love will never be taken away from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. 16 Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.’ ”