See the Big Picture. Dig In. Live It Out: A 5-Day Reading Plan in Psalms 1-50Sample

The Big Picture

As previously noted, Psalm 1 and Psalm 2 comprise the introduction to the book of Psalms; Psalm 1 begins with blessing, and Psalm 2 concludes with blessing. Together, both contrast the folly of rebelling against God with the wisdom of living one’s life according to his Word and worshiping him. Psalm 1 shows the contrast at a personal level, and Psalm 2 shows it at the national level. Although Psalm 2 has no superscription, Acts 4:25 indicates it was written by David. Psalm 2 speaks of David while at the same time anticipating the coming Messiah, the Lord’s anointed one who will rule the nations.

Digging In

Psalm 2 is composed of four sections. The first section, verses 1–3, in consternation asks how the nations and their leaders all over the earth could rebel against the rule of the Lord and “his Anointed One.” The Hebrew word for “plot” in verse 1 is the same word for “meditates” in Psalm 1:2. The nations of 2:1 are consumed with freeing themselves from “their chains” and “restraints” they believe God has put on them. David’s surprise comes from wondering how anyone could stand up to God and survive it (cf. 2:12a) and how anyone could feel enslaved by God when the one who takes refuge in him is “happy” (cf. 2:12b). It conveys the futility and irrationality of rebelling against God. 

The expression, “anointed one,” means “messiah” in Hebrew. The Greek of the New Testament translates the word christos, which in English is “Christ.” David foreshadowed in a limited way what the Lord Jesus Christ would accomplish and be in an ultimate way. Therefore, Psalm 2 anticipates the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ and provides a description of our human inclination to rebel against the rule of God the Father and his Son. King Herod and Pontius Pilate along with most people in their kingdoms provide representative faces to this rebellion against the Lord. 

The second section, verses 4–6, describes God’s response to such foolishness. The King in heaven mocks them with laughter and ridicule because of the absurdity of their intentions. These temporary kings who rule nations with boundaries cannot succeed against the King who sits enthroned in heaven who eternally rules over all creation. This reality is clear when the Lord “speaks to them in his anger and terrifies them with his wrath.” Emphatically, he declares “I have installed my king on Zion, my holy mountain” (2:6). The rulers of the earth have no rightful claim to authority within themselves. They are usurpers. But God has installed his king, the Lord Jesus Christ, who has complete authority and rules over the nations. It is for this reason, Jesus could say to his disciples, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth” (Matt. 28:18). He will rule from Mount Zion. Mount Zion was the place where God chose to display his manifest presence to his people Israel when Solomon built the temple. Therefore, it is God’s holy mountain, devoted to worship and the manifest presence of God on the earth. 

In the third section, verses 7–9, the Anointed One speaks. He declares his legitimacy to rule based upon “the Lord’s decree.” In contrast to earthly rulers, the Anointed One had no need to assert himself to grasp the throne. Instead, God invested his enthronement upon him. He is the legitimate king because he is God’s Son. When God established his covenant with David, promising David that David’s house and kingdom will endure before God forever and that David’s throne would be established forever, God stated concerning the king that “I will be his father, and he will be my son” (2 Sam. 7:13–16). This demonstrated the kind of relationship the kings in David’s line could have with God. And the next phrase, which literally in Hebrew states “Today I have begotten you,” accentuates the intimacy of this relationship. 

However, there is only one descendant of David who fulfills this promise. Hebrews 1:5 indicates it is the Lord Jesus Christ, God’s Son, but there’s more. The Lord then told his Anointed One to “Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance and the ends of the earth your possession.” In whom is this realized? Hebrews 1:2 reveals “In these last days, he [God] has spoken to us by his Son. God has appointed him heir of all things.” Consequently, as the king who inherits rule over every nation, the Anointed One—the Lord Jesus Christ, will “break” and “shatter” the rebellion against God and judge the nations (Rev. 2:27; 12:5; 19:15). In Matthew 25:31–46, Jesus describes how he will judge the nations. Some people “will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life” (Matt. 25:46). 

Therefore, the fourth and final section, verses 10–12, serves as an exhortation and warning. It exhorts the kings and rulers of the earth to be wise and choose to receive instruction, to serve the Lord by worshiping and obeying him. This is the way to living a happily blessed life. Conversely, if the kings and rulers continue on their path of rebellion they will discover it is the path to their doom, for no one will be able to survive the wrath of the Anointed One who will uphold the honor of his heavenly Father. This warning may appear harsh, but in truth, it reveals a patient, merciful, and gracious God. Even though they deserved God’s judgment of these rebellious leaders, he chooses to warn them and thus give them the opportunity to come to their senses and wisely choose to listen to instruction and experience a truly blessed life by taking refuge in the Lord.

Living It Out    

Psalm 2 highlights the foolishness of rebelling against God’s authority over us. Because of our inherent sinful nature, we are predisposed to desire independence from God. We want to rule our own lives. But where does our self-rule get us? Living independent of God’s loving authority robs us of the happily blessed life which we were created to enjoy, and insubordination to God is the path to ultimate destruction. The one who takes refuge in God by loving him and delighting in his Word will experience a happily blessed life.