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?”
a. They do not want to be told what they should do and should not do.
b. They want no restraints, no laws, and no regulations.
c. They want to do their own thing. Does this sound familiar?
d. The Church would be tolerated by the world if she would only give up her doctrines and discipline.
1. The sad part is that most churches are doing just that.
2. The Church is not to conform to the world. The Church is to conform to the image of God’s dear son.
3. It has gotten to the point now where you can’t even tell the Church from the world.
e. The yoke of Christ is easy and his burden is light to those that are submitted to it and have made him Lord of their life. But to the spiritually blind, proud, and self-willed, the law of Christ is as “bands” and “cords” which they must cast away.
1. A collar will never hurt a Dog until he fights against it
2. The reason people think that the law of God hurts is because they will not submit to it.
2. Notice their thinking here. Why would you rebel and fight against God?
a. To Fight Against Christ is Unreasonable -- Wherever Christ Reigns blessings abound.
1. Pilate said “I find no fault in this man” Luke 23:4
2. The dying thief said, “This man hath done nothing amiss” Luke 23:41
3. Jesus, Himself, said “Which of you convinceth me of sin?” John 8:46
4. What wrong has Jesus Christ ever done to any man? NOT ONE THING!!!
5. It is Unreasonable to oppose Him because he is the sinner’s best friend.
b. To Fight Against Christ is Useless
1. What is the use of striving and rebelling against the will of God?
2. To think that anyone can defeat that will is to imagine a vain thing.
3. To plan and plot against the very God of Heaven is to commit spiritual suicide but that’s exactly what this world is doing.
c. To Fight Against Christ is Unsuccessful
1. Keep in mind that many who the oppose the cause of Christ seem to succeed for the time being.
2. The Lord does not send in weekly or quarterly accounts; but the wicked men have been amazed when his bill finally does arrive.
3. God will not be mocked, whatsoever you sow, that is what you will reap
4. Dr. R.G. Lee said it best. There’s a Payday Someday!!!
a. It took 3 years for Ahab to get paid back for the death of Naboth but his sin caught up with him.
b. It took 16 years for Jezebel to get paid back for the death of Naboth but her sin caught up with her.
II. THE REACTION OF THE LORD - vs. 4-6 -- The first scene in vs. 1-3 take place on earth. This scene takes place in Heaven. The first is a scene of wild commotion; this scene is one of absolute calm. The Revolters do not see God but God sees them. Let me just say that God is not surprised at what this world is doing. He knew it long before he ever spoke it into existence.
A. The Lord’s Smile of Derision - vs. 4
1. All this combined opposition is a mere joke to the Lord.
2. The World may laugh at us, but our Heavenly Father scoffs at them.
B. The Lord’s Statement of Displeasure - vs. 5
1. There is a swift transition from laughter to anger.
2. God has a way of showing his displeasure.
3. I want a Thrice Holy God to be pleased with me. I want to be on his side.
C. The Lord’s Step of Disclosure - vs. 6
1. God says I’ve had enough
2. God’s ANOINTED has been APPOINTED and He shall not be DISAPPOINTED!
3. The Great “YET” of vs. 6 is flung across the path of the revolters, not only as an obstacle to check their
advance, but as a warning that the King is coming to take his Kingdom.
III. THE REIGN OF THE KING - vs. 7-9
A. His Relation to the Father - vs. 7
1. The “begetting” here doe not refer to His birth but to His resurrection.
2. We find this in Acts 13:33 “God, hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus
again; as it is also written in the second Psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.”
B. His Receiving from his Father - vs. 8
C. His Retribution for his Foes - vs. 9
1. Nothing will stand in the way of God’s decree.
2. Certain and complete destruction will be the lot of all who seek to resist, oppose, and revolt against the Word
of God.
IV. THE RECOMMENDATION TO THE NATIONS - vs. 10-12 - He says be wise. He says you need to make the right choice.
A. The Counsel of the King ought to be Heeded - vs. 10
1. The Wicked are urged here to pause and think.
2. In light of the Word of God, their enterprise is hopeless.
3. David is saying take warning, submit while there is time, withdraw from an impossible position, and seek
forgiveness while it may be found.
4. Isaiah 55:6 “Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near.”
5. Why remain an enemy of God when you are welcome to become his friend?
B. Our Conduct before the King ought to be Holy - vs. 11
1. The fear of the Lord is not only the beginning of wisdom (Prov. 1:7), but it is also the beginning of spiritual
joy.
2. When you walk in the fear of God, you will be walking holy. A Holy life is a spirit filled life.
3. You can only be spirit filled by holiness.
4. So to walk in fear is actually to walk in the comfort of the Holy Ghost. That’s why we can rejoice with
trembling.
C. Our Conversion to the King ought to bring Happiness - vs. 12
1. Give the Son of God honor now by accepting him as Lord and Saviour.
2. The “kiss” is a sign of affection and allegiance..
3. In other words David is saying, embrace the Lord.
CONCLUSION: The Psalm ends on a high note. An earnest invitation is extended. And blessing awaits those who respond. It is always wise to be willing to be instructed, especially when this instruction might lead to the salvation of the soul. “It is better to bend that to be broken” “Fools do last that which wise men do at first.”
