Better Bent Than Broken

PSALM 1--LESSON 2

BETTER BENT THAN BROKEN-- PSALMS 2

Introduction: Psalm one called attention to the Law. Psalm two directs our thoughts to Prophecy. And according to Luke 16:16, these are the two ruling notes of the Old Testament. Psalm one begins on the word “blessed,” and Psalm two ends on it. In first Psalm we see the wicked driven away like chaff; in the second Psalm, we see them broken in pieces like a potter’s vessel. The first Psalm is a contrast between the blessed man and the blighted man; the second Psalm is a contrast between the Rebelliousness of the wicked and the Reign of the Son of God.

This is the first of many “Messianic” Psalms. The Hebrew word “Messiah” and the Greek word “Christ” both mean “the Anointed One.” They both refer to the Son of God. The Messiah of the Old Testament and the Christ of the New Testament is the Saviour of both. We see the reference to Christ in vs. 2 where it says “his anointed.” When we find a reference to Christ in the Old Testament, it is a prophecy concerning His person and work in the New Testament. There are three distinct lines of prophecy pointing to Jesus Christ. He is God’s Anointed Prophet, Priest and Potentate.

1. As Prophet, He is the Conveyor of God’s Word.

2. As Priest, He is the Conductor of God’s Worship.

3. As Potentate, He is the Controller of God’s World.

The writer of this Psalm is David. This is clearly determined in Acts 4:25 which reads “Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?” David is the Penman of this Psalm.

When this Psalm I studied it needs to be viewed as a four-fold picture. There are four distinct and different scenes that are closely connected, and when brought together form a complete picture. Each of the four scenes is painted in exactly three verses.

1. An Angry Conspiracy - vs. 1-3

2. An Awful Condemnation - vs. 4-6

3. An Almighty Conqueror - vs. 7-9

4. An Appealing Conclusion - vs. 10-12

There are many lessons to be learned from this Psalm, but the main one is the title of our lesson. It is Better to Bend than to be Broken. In other words it would be better to drop your pride and get saved than to harden your heart, reject Christ and be broken later. Here is a another lesson out of this Psalm. “It is Madness for the Many to stand against the Mighty.” The basic thought of this Psalm and the entire Word of God is Submission. Submission to the Son of God is the only way to escape the wrath of God and the final destruction by the hand of God. Let’s look at the 12 verse a little closer.

I. THE REVOLT OF THE NATIONS - vs. 1-3

A. The Foes who Oppose the King

1. They are made up of nations, Peoples, Kings, and Rulers.

2. He we see the hatred of human nature against God’s Anointed.

a. Jesus has always been opposed.

b. He has encountered opposition in all nations, in all ranks, and in all generations.

3. Generally speaking, the higher an individual, a family or a nation rises politically, socially, or materially, the

less time they have for Christ.

a. It was the common people in our Lord’s day who received him gladly.

b. The leaders and rulers had no use for him at all.

1. The Same holds true today.

2. How many heads of government give God the glory for their success?

3. How many politicians and wealthy people put Christ first in their lives?

c. The first three verse of Psalm two are more real and more applicable today than ever before.

B. The Fierceness of their Opposition

1. The fierceness is seen in the word “rage.”

2. This has an implication to the rolling and the roaring of the sea.

a. This is an outward agitation brought on by an inward feeling.

b. This is no temporary rage but a deep seated hate. It comes from the heart.

3. They “imagine a vain thing.”

a. In other words their minds are made up.

b. They want nothing to do with the Son of God.

c. They do not know him personally and are not interested in getting acquainted.

4. Their Opposition is:

a. Determined - vs. 2 They “set themselves”

b. Deliberate - vs. 2 They “take counsel together”

c. Defying - vs. 2 They are “against the Lord and his anointed”

d. Definite - vs. 3 - They say “Let us break....cast away”

C. The Folly of their Opposition

1. Here we see the cause of this revolt. “Why do the people rage?”