Psalm 2
The nations rage in vain. This second psalm is and was a bold prophetic statement of defiance in times of distress. Throughout the millennia the faithful sung, recited, and even shouted its words. It referred first to David as the Ammonites and Philistines conspired against him. Exiled Jews relied on it after Babylon brought destruction to their nation and to the temple of Yahweh. Early Christians clung to it amid harsh Roman persecutions. Even today, the words becomes ours as wars and rumors of wars swarm social media and as traditional norms shatter.
Modern musical renditions of Psalm 2:
“Though The Nations Gather” by New Scottish Hymns
“As For Me” by Christy Nockels
“Psalm 2 Song Word For Word” by Zac Fitzsimmons
“Kiss Ye The Son” by Brian Sauve
“Psalm 2 (Kiss the Son)” by The Psalms Project
As I reflect on this psalm, I hear four voices. First the psalmist cries out “Why?” This is followed by prophetic answers from the three in one; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
First voice: Verses 1–3
1 Why, do the nations rage,2 The kings, of the earth take a stand,3 “Let’s break their bonds apart,
Shortly after the Resurrection, Peter and John were arrested for healing a lame man in the name of Jesus. Upon their release a few days later by the Sanhedrin they praised God and applied their experience to these first three verses of Psalm 2:
The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord and against His Christ.’
But, “Why?” Why is there such opposition to God’s plans. Consider a person wanting to be free of oxygen. They dive underwater determined to remain there permanently. Will it work? Perhaps for a minute, maybe two. The end will not be pretty. Regarding the nations, it is as Jesus declared on the cross,
“They do not know what they are doing (Luke 23:34).”
Second voice: Verses 4–6
4 He who sits in the heavens will laugh.5 Then he will speak to them in his anger,6 “Yet I have set my King,
The scene shifts from Earth to Heaven. God the Father’s answer to the “why?” question begins with a scornful laugh. Imagine seeing a person banging their head over and over on a solid brick wall convinced they will break it down. Would this be a comedy or a tragedy? Perhaps both. In the meantime, Yahweh waits. In the fullness of time, he acts by coronating the Messiah on the throne.
When the time for the fulfillment came, God sent forth His own Son, born of a woman, born under law, In order that He might redeem those who are under law, so that we might receive the gift of sonship from God (Gal 4:4–5).
But how did the nations experience God’s anger and wrath? It happened when the Earth shook and the temple veil ripped. It was confirmed forty years later when the Romans left the land and temple in ruins. God would not be stopped from fulfilling the promise made to David long ago.
When your days (David’s) are fulfilled, and you sleep with your fathers, I will set up your offspring after you, who will proceed out of your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He will build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever (2 Sam 7:12–13).
Third voice: Verse 7
7 I will tell of the decree.
Yahweh said to me,“You, are my son.
The scene shifts to Jesus. He reveals an intimate dialog he has with the Father. This verse was central to the early church. It is directly quoted ten times in the New Testament, with dozens more allusions. His disciples acknowledged his sonship many times. Even demons proclaimed him as such, probably attempting to speed up his demise. In the end, Jesus at his trial identified himself as the Son of God, assuring his coming crucifixion.
And they (Sanhedrin) all said, “Then You are the Son of God?” And He said to them, “I am that One, as you say.” Then they said, “What need do we have of any other witness? For we ourselves have heard from His own mouth (Luke 22:70–71).”
Third voice continues: Verse 8
8 “Ask of me, and I will give the nations for your inheritance,
The conversation between Jesus and the Father continues. This kingdom is not limited to the small patch of land we identify today as Israel; it is universal.
Then the seventh angel sounded his trumpet;
and there were great voices in heaven, saying,
“The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and His Christ, and He shall reign into the ages of eternity (Rev 11:15).”
This is not a kingship spanning a single lifetime like those of the ancient Israel monarchy; it is eternal. Isaiah tells us:
Unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder; and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and over His kingdom, to order it and to establish it with judgment and with righteousness from henceforth, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this (Isa 9:6–8).
But what is the nature of this kingdom? Jesus elaborates:
You know that the rulers of the nations lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you, but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. Whoever desires to be first among you shall be your bondservant, even as the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many (Matt 20:25–28).”
Jesus describes the process.
To what then shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what parable shall we compare it? It is like a tiny mustard seed, which, when it has been sown upon the earth, is less than all the seeds that are upon the earth. But after it has been sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all the herbs, and produces great branches, so that the birds of heaven are able to roost under the shadow of it (Mark 4:30–32).”
The psalmist couldn’t identify the coming messiah, but we can; it is Jesus. Even now he sits at the righthand of God.
All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me (Jesus) (Matt 28:18).
But like the psalmist, we wonder as nations continue to rage. In the meantime we pray:
Your kingdom come; Your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven (Matt 6:10).
And collectively we act:
Therefore, go and make disciples in all nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit (Matt 28:19).
And we look to when this Kingdom of God will be fully established.
The third voice continues: Verse 9
9 You shall break them with a rod of iron.
The rod of iron is a shepherds staff. The hook end helps care for the flock and gently restores lost sheep. The straight end is a weapon directed at predators attempting to enter the pen planning to bring destruction.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me (Ps 23:4).
Fourth voice: Verses 10–12
10 Now therefore be wise, you kings.11 Serve Yahweh with fear,12 Give sincere homage to the Son,Blessed are all who take refuge in Him.
Finally, the Holy Spirit speaks with the voice of wisdom, bringing both a warning and an invitation; two paths one might say. Submit to the Son and live. Join the raging nations and experience judgment. God is:
full of compassion, gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and truth, (Ps 86:15)
but he does not acquit those who persist in evil (Nah 1:3). Still, we ask: “why does it take so long?” Peter answers:
The Lord is not delaying the promise of His coming, as some in their own minds reckon delay; rather, He is longsuffering toward us, not desiring that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Pet 3:9).
Summary
Psalms 1 and 2 are linked.
The righteous meditate day and night seeking God’s guidance (Ps 1:2). The nations do the opposite. They conspire together to break free of the divine. The aim is self-reliance; they are determined to do what seems right in their own eyes (Prov 3:6–8). Interesting. The Hebrew word for meditate in Psalm 1 and conspire in Psalm 2 are the same.
Psalm 1 begins with a blessing:
Blessed is the man . . . [whose] delight is in the law of the LORD; and in His law does he meditate day and night (Ps 1:1–2).
A blessing concludes Psalm 2:
Blessed are all who take refuge in Him (the Son) (Ps 2:12).
As I ponder this, I am reminded:
Come to Me, all you who labor and are overly burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light (Matt 11:28–30).”
Thanks for Listening.
For Further Meditation
Athanasius, “letter to Marcellinus: On the Interpretation of the Psalms.”
Augustine, “Exposition on Psalm 2.”
Bonhoeffer Dietrich, Psalms: The Prayer Book . Rashi, “On Psalms 2:1:1.”
C. Hassell Bullock, Encountering the Book of Psalms , (Baker 2001).
Pettingill, Christ in the Psalms , (Van Kampen Press, 1937.
Joseph Galineau, The Psalms: A New Translation Singing version , (Paulist Press, 1991).
Dereck Kidner, Kidner Classic Commentaries: Psalms 1–72 , (IVP Academic, 1973).
Christopher Ash, The Psalms: A Christ Centered Commentary: Psalms 1–50 , Vol. 2, (Crossway, 2024).
Temper Longman III and David E. Garland, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Psalms , Vol. 5, (Zondervan, 2008).
Dan Harvey, author of Wrestling with Faith and Experiencing the Apocalypse ,
secondlooknow.com
A very powerfull and encouraging article!
Sound and beautiful messages, for readers and for all who are listening to ABBA, our GOD!
My prayer is that I will pray for GODs kingdom come; God’s will be done in ALL of our lives and all HIS blessing come as we go through life!
VivH
Fantastic! I love the psalm 1 and 2 tie in. Thanks for the song links too. East to forget these were songs!