By Mike Durrill
[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. - Psalm 2:1-12 ESV
Psalm 2 is one of the many Messianic Psalms. It is quoted seven times in the New Testament: Acts 4:24-28; 13:33; Hebrews 1:5; 5:5; and Revelation 2:27; 12:5; 19:15. All of these references are applied to the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ which is why it is a Messianic Psalm.
Here is an excellent devotional on Psalm 2 written by the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, IL.
A few years ago, when archaeologists began excavating in the courtyard of a medieval monastery, they found seeds that had been dormant for more than 400 years that had begun to grow. King Henry VIII had closed the monastery in 1539, and the herbs tended by the monks died. But they sprouted to life again after the archaeologists disturbed the earth.
The world views God's kingdom much like those medieval seeds: dormant, forgotten, and buried like a long-lost memory. But when the time comes for the kingdoms of this world to be delivered over to Jesus Christ, His millennial kingdom will suddenly burst onto the world scene. Then everyone will know that Jesus is the true King, worthy of universal worship and praise.
Psalm 2 is called a royal psalm, and for good reason. In it we see the coronation and exaltation of God's ""Anointed One"" or the Messiah, Jesus Christ. To those of us who know Him, this psalm is an encouraging reminder of Jesus' ultimate triumph and a joyous call to bow down and worship our Lord and King. But for ""the nations,"" the unbelieving world, Psalm 2 is a sober warning of the futility of trying to resist Christ's rule. Not only is Jesus the only Name under heaven by which people can be saved (Acts 4:12). He is also the only Ruler worthy to claim the allegiance of every person on earth. The picture of God's breaking the rebellion of the nations and giving them to His Son to rule reminds us that the Lord we worship is also the Warrior who will defeat His enemies (Rev. 19:11-21). And the Savior we adore is also the Judge, who will shatter the opposition of those foolish enough to rebel against Him (Isa. 11:4). Because this is true, the earth's peoples are given wise advice in Psalm 2:10-12. A kiss in this context is a sign of homage. Those who choose to bow down and worship Jesus Christ, taking refuge in Him, will be safe.
Is there anyone in your family or circle of acquaintances who does not know Jesus Christ as Savior? Ask God to lay someone close to you on your heart today, and begin to pray for that person's salvation. Or if you already have a loved one on your prayer list, bring that person before the King's throne in concentrated prayer.
[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. - Psalm 2:1-12 ESV
Psalm 2 is one of the many Messianic Psalms. It is quoted seven times in the New Testament: Acts 4:24-28; 13:33; Hebrews 1:5; 5:5; and Revelation 2:27; 12:5; 19:15. All of these references are applied to the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ which is why it is a Messianic Psalm.
Here is an excellent devotional on Psalm 2 written by the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, IL.
A few years ago, when archaeologists began excavating in the courtyard of a medieval monastery, they found seeds that had been dormant for more than 400 years that had begun to grow. King Henry VIII had closed the monastery in 1539, and the herbs tended by the monks died. But they sprouted to life again after the archaeologists disturbed the earth.
The world views God's kingdom much like those medieval seeds: dormant, forgotten, and buried like a long-lost memory. But when the time comes for the kingdoms of this world to be delivered over to Jesus Christ, His millennial kingdom will suddenly burst onto the world scene. Then everyone will know that Jesus is the true King, worthy of universal worship and praise.
Psalm 2 is called a royal psalm, and for good reason. In it we see the coronation and exaltation of God's ""Anointed One"" or the Messiah, Jesus Christ. To those of us who know Him, this psalm is an encouraging reminder of Jesus' ultimate triumph and a joyous call to bow down and worship our Lord and King. But for ""the nations,"" the unbelieving world, Psalm 2 is a sober warning of the futility of trying to resist Christ's rule. Not only is Jesus the only Name under heaven by which people can be saved (Acts 4:12). He is also the only Ruler worthy to claim the allegiance of every person on earth. The picture of God's breaking the rebellion of the nations and giving them to His Son to rule reminds us that the Lord we worship is also the Warrior who will defeat His enemies (Rev. 19:11-21). And the Savior we adore is also the Judge, who will shatter the opposition of those foolish enough to rebel against Him (Isa. 11:4). Because this is true, the earth's peoples are given wise advice in Psalm 2:10-12. A kiss in this context is a sign of homage. Those who choose to bow down and worship Jesus Christ, taking refuge in Him, will be safe.
Is there anyone in your family or circle of acquaintances who does not know Jesus Christ as Savior? Ask God to lay someone close to you on your heart today, and begin to pray for that person's salvation. Or if you already have a loved one on your prayer list, bring that person before the King's throne in concentrated prayer.
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