In Acts chapter 4, David is identified as the author of Psalm 2, the passage which we’ll be studying together this morning. But the opening words of that Psalm that he penned in Israel approximately 3,000 years ago could just as easily be written in the United States in the 21st Century AD.
In the Hebrew, Psalm 2 consists of four verses of three lines each, with an equal number of words in each verse. And it is the opening verse that reflects the overwhelming attitude of our culture today. So go ahead and open your Bibles to Psalm 2 and follow along as I read just the opening verse of this Hebrew poem which comprises the first three verses in our English Bibles:
Why do the nations rage
and the peoples plot in vain?
The kings of the earth set themselves,
and the rulers take counsel together,
against the LORD and against his Anointed, saying,
“Let us burst their bonds apart
and cast away their cords from us.”
Psalm 2:1-3 (ESV)
As we’ll see this morning as we progress through this Psalm, there are four voices that speak in the four verses. In this opening verse, it is the voice of the world that speaks. The Psalmist uses two different pictures to identify this group. First, he identifies them as “nations”, using the Hebrew word that is normally used to identify non-Hebrews. Then, using the parallelism that is the common feature of Hebrew poetry, he also identifies them as “people”. The Hebrew word used there is a word that literally means a “community” or a “gathering”, so it could refer to both Hebrews and non-Hebrews.
Man’s Rebellion (vv. 1-3)
And the message that is expressed by these people of the world is unmistakable. They are rebelling against God and His Anointed, with their leaders plotting together to throw off what they view as the bonds and cords with which God has saddled them. I can’t think of a more accurate picture of our culture today than the one painted by these words. Let me give you just one example to illustrate:
God’s Word is clear that His design for the family is one man married to one woman for as long as they both shall live and that together the father and mother are to raise their children. But as a culture, we have determined that standard to be too restrictive, so we’ve “burst the bonds” and “cast away the cords” that God has established.
One recent study [http://www.stateofourunions.org/] found that between 1960 and 2010, the number of unmarried couples living together grew seventeen-fold to over 7.7 million couples. More than 60% of all first marriages are now preceded by living together. As a result, slightly more than 40% of all children will spend some time in a cohabiting household during their childhood years.
Nearly half of all marriages in this country end in divorce.
Five states and the District of Columbia now allow homosexual couples to legally marry and a number of other states, including Arizona, either provide for civil unions or domestic partnerships or offer medical and other benefits to same-sex partners.
In the United States, more than 4 in every 10 babies are now born to an unwed mother. In the black community the number is more than 7 in 10. Only 66% of children under the age of 18 live in a household with two married parents. In the black community that number is only 35%.
These practices have always been around, but in our culture today it has actually become fashionable to openly rebel against the clear teaching of Scripture, especially among the Hollywood elite. And more and more our governmental leaders are making laws that actually promote and make this rebellion legal.
Unfortunately, as a culture we have reaped what we have sown by violating God’s commands. Only about 45% of cohabitating couples ever marry and among those who do, they are 50% more likely to get divorced than those who do not live together before marriage. And their children tend to have a worse life than those growing up with married couples. They are three times more likely to be expelled from school or to get pregnant as a teenager, five times more likely to live in poverty, ten times more likely to be sexually abused and 22 times more likely to be incarcerated
What these people have learned the hard way is that God has not given us His commands as a way to punish us or to somehow deprive us of enjoyment, but rather to protect us and to give us the opportunity to experience lasting joy in our lives.
Unfortunately, the church is not immune to this cultural rebellion against God. Astonishingly, many local churches and even entire denominations that claim to love God and follow Jesus have adopted policies and practices that promote such rebellion. But as we see in this Psalm, all such plotting, regardless of where it comes from, is in vain. We’ll see why as we examine the rest of the Psalm
Because we are still human, even if we genuinely love Jesus and desire to follow Him, we still fall short from time to time in following the commands that He has established for our own good. So my purpose this morning is not to make you feel guilty or hopeless if you’re struggling to follow God or even if you’ve rebelled against God’s commands regarding the family or in any other area of your walk with Jesus. In fact, as we examine the rest of the Psalm this morning, it is full of hope for those who are willing to submit to God and to His Son, Jesus. So follow along as I pick up in verse 4 and read through the end of the Psalm.
He who sits in the heavens laughs;
the Lord holds them in derision.
Then he will speak to them in his wrath,
and terrify them in his fury, saying,
“As for me, I have set my King
on Zion, my holy hill.”
I will tell of the decree:
The LORD said to me, “You are my Son;
today I have begotten you.
Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage,
and the ends of the earth your possession.
You shall break them with a rod of iron
and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.”
Now therefore, O kings, be wise;
be warned, O rulers of the earth.
Serve the LORD with fear,
and rejoice with trembling.
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)
The next three voices that we hear, all work together to reveal God’s plan for giving us all hope in the midst of a world that continuously rebels against Him.
Hope for a Rebellious World
1. God is sovereign (vv. 4-6)
The second voice we hear is that of God Himself as He sits on His throne in heaven. He is not caught off guard at all by the attempts of man to bypass His plans for them. Because He is completely sovereign and in full control, there is nothing that man can do to thwart His ultimate will. In a later Psalm, we see this same idea expressed in slightly different terms:
The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing;
he frustrates the plans of the peoples.
The counsel of the LORD stands forever,
the plans of his heart to all generations.
Psalm 33:10-11 (ESV)
So we see God react to the rebellion of the people in two ways.
Before we look at those reactions, we need to keep in mind that God is not a man, so he does not have the same form as man or operate at all like we do. But the Biblical writers often describe the nature of God in human terms because that is the only way they can give us even a taste of what God is like. The technical term for this, which you may run across from time to time, is anthropomorphism. We see this frequently throughout Scripture. For instance, even though God is spirit and doesn’t have a physical body like ours, we read about God’s “right hand” and “mighty arm”. This practice is particularly common in Hebrew poetry which frequently uses figurative language.
So when the Psalmist reveals that God laughs at those who would try to rebel against Him, it’s not because He thinks it is funny. Sin is never a laughing matter. When that description is paired together in the typical form of Hebrew poetry with God holding them in derision, the overall picture we get is that God is scoffing at the arrogance of people who think that they are somehow capable of breaking free from God’s sovereign will.
But mans’ rebellion also kindles God’s wrath and his fury. We see the ultimate extent of that wrath in the Book of Revelation, when God’s wrath is quickly poured out on those who rebel against Him.
God’s sovereignty is a source of great hope to those who love Him. His sovereignty is our assurance that no matter what we may face here on earth, no matter how much it often appears that the unrighteous and the wicked are prospering here, ultimately God will make everything right. He will reward the righteous and punish the unrighteous. And the way He is going to do that is by setting His own King on His holy hill.
Even though right now we are often governed by ungodly men who seek to break free from God and rebel against Him, God is going to one day set a righteous king on the throne to rule righteously and justly. And that king is going to make sure that those who rebel against God get the punishment that they deserve.
And the next voice we hear reveals who that king is and what He is going to do…
2. God has a pre-determined plan to deal with man’s rebellion (vv. 7-9)
The third voice we hear is that of Jesus. We know that because the speaker is clearly identified elsewhere in Scripture:
And we bring you the good news that what God promised to the fathers, this he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus, as also it is written in the second Psalm,
“‘You are my Son,
today I have begotten you.’
Acts 13:32-33 (ESV)
We don’t have time to look at them now, but there are also 2 other references to this Psalm in the book of Hebrews that identify the speaker here as Jesus as well.
We see here that because God is not caught off guard by man’s rebellion, He already has a plan in place to deal with it. He is going to deal with that rebellion through His only Son, Jesus. The apostle Paul confirms the eternal nature of God’s plan:
To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.
Ephesians 3:8-12 (ESV)
This plan of God is eternal. It existed even before God created man because He knew what man’s heart would be like. But until Jesus became flesh, came to earth, died on a cross and was raised from the dead, that plan was a mystery because man was unable to fully comprehend that plan, even though it was revealed to some degree in the Old Testament in passages like the one we are studying this morning.
As we saw in our study of the Old Testament prophets and the book of Revelation, much of the prophecy about Jesus does not distinguish clearly between His first and His second comings. And that is certainly true in this Psalm. There is little doubt that verses 8 and 9 are dealing with His second coming. In fact, there are three separate places in the Book of Revelation that refer to Jesus ruling with a rod of iron in connection with His future second coming.
In the Old Testament, we find two different uses of a rod. The first is the instrument that is used by a shepherd. That short knobbed stick had two main purposes. It was used by the shepherd as a weapon to protect the sheep from predators. But it was also used to discipline sheep who had wandered off and were putting themselves in danger.
The second type of rod was the king’s scepter. So the picture here is that Jesus is both a shepherd who protects and disciplines us and a king who rules over us.
Although there is a sense in which God’s kingdom is already in operation for those who have placed their faith in Jesus, the ultimate fulfillment of that kingdom won’t occur until Jesus returns to the earth. That is when the nations will become His heritage and the ends of the earth His possession as Jesus establishes a physical, earthly reign.
The fourth and final voice we hear calls all men to follow God’s plan to deal with our rebellion.
3. The only way to deal with our rebellion is to embrace Jesus (vv. 10-12)
I can’t be dogmatic about this, but I’m of the opinion that the fourth voice we here is that of the Holy Spirit, speaking through the Psalmist. The kind of exhortation and warning that we find in these verses is certainly consistent with the role of the Holy Spirit that we find elsewhere in Scripture – that of leading people to Jesus and encouraging them to make a decision to embrace Him. And since we’ve already clearly heard the voices of God the Father and God the Son, we would expect the third person of the Godhead to speak here as well.
There are five commands in this last section. The first two are addressed to the political leaders – the kings and rulers. Once again, the first two commands are expressed in parallel form – be wise and be warned. The good news is that it is not too late for the people and their leaders to change their ways and abandon their won plans and follow God’s.
The next two commands are also in parallel form:
Serve the LORD with fear,
and rejoice with trembling
The word “serve” means to “serve as a subject”, which would be consistent with the fact that Jesus is the king to whom we are to be subject. The word “rejoice” comes from a word which literally means to “spin around” under the influence of overwhelming emotion. Together these two commands picture taking delight in being subject to and serving Jesus. In New Testament language, this is usually expressed by the idea of allowing Jesus to be the Lord of our lives.
Those two commands are qualified by two adverbial phrases that describe the manner in which we are to delight in serving Jesus – with “fear” and with “trembling”. Both words describe the reverent awe with which we must approach Jesus. Unfortunately, it seems that we often lose that sense of healthy fear when it comes to entering into the presence of a holy God. While it is true that we can approach Him confidently because of the righteousness we have in Jesus, we still need to fear God.
Paul pointed out the need to fear God as we develop into mature disciples, even using the same language we see here in Psalm 2:
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
Philippians 2:12-13 (ESV)
The final command in verse 12 stands by itself. I’m convinced that is because it is so clear and so critical that it doesn’t need further explanation or embellishment. The command “Kiss the Son” is in the plural – it is literally “Y’all kiss the Son.” That points out the need for every single person to deal with their rebellion against God by embracing Jesus.
The picture that the Psalmist likely has in mind here is that of a subject kissing the feet of the king in order to express submission to his rule. The consequences of failing to do so are serious. Those who fail to embrace Jesus will face His wrath and perish in their way of rebellion.
But those who choose to take refuge in Him will be blessed.
This isn’t a real popular message in our culture today. In fact, there is a predominant form of “raging” and “plotting in vain” that attempts to “kiss” the Father – or whatever one’s definition of God is – while at the same time spitting on the Son. Here is just one example of that popular thinking.
[Video of Oprah Winfrey]
While Oprah may think that it is somehow possible to bypass the Son and still approach, as she says, “what you call God”, the clear teaching of Scripture is that no one can come to God except through the Son. The familiar words of Jesus leave no doubt that this is true:
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 14:6 (ESV)
Before we leave this section, let me make one last observation. I think it is instructive here that God doesn’t command us to deal with the rebellion of man through the political process. He never commands us to try and replace the political leaders who rebel against Him and encourage others to do so. I’m certainly not suggesting that Christ followers shouldn’t be involved in the political process or that we shouldn’t work to elect people who embrace Jesus and His ways.
However, the only way we are ever going to effectively deal with the rebellion of man is by doing all we can to change the hearts of people and leading them into a relationship with Jesus. Because for each of them, as well as for each of us our hope and security will never be found in any man, no matter how godly. So to me that means that we ought to be investing our time and our resources in developing disciples of Jesus rather than in our political system.
As we’ve examined the first two Psalms as an introduction to our journey through a number of the Psalms, we find that both Psalms reinforce the overriding truth that must be our lens as we examine not only the rest of the Psalms, but the entire Bible.
The Overriding Truth from Psalms 1 and 2
There are only two possible ways in life and everyone must choose one of the two.
In Psalm 1 that distinction was based on what we delight in. We either delight in the world and perish or we delight in God’s Word and prosper.
In Psalm 2, the distinction is based on which kingdom we choose to be a subject of. We can either remain in the kingdom of the world into which we are all born, continuing to rebel against God and His ways and face His wrath, or we can embrace Jesus and enter His kingdom where we find blessing.
Although many attempt to straddle the fence, with one foot in each kingdom, it’s just not possible to live there. Eventually that becomes too painful and we have to get off the fence and choose one delight or the other, one kingdom or the other. Some people think they can avoid the need to choose by just not making a decision or by putting that decision off to a later time. But to not decide really is a decision, as Jesus points out in His own words:
Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.
Matthew 12:30 (ESV)
In His encounter with Nicodemus, Jesus makes clear the serious consequences of not making a decision to take refuge in Him:
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God…Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.
John 3:18, 36 (ESV)
Those who do not choose to embrace Jesus and take refuge in Him have in fact made the decision to remain in the kingdom of the world. And as a result they will experience the condemnation they deserve for their rebellion against God.
So the question all of us must answer this morning is this: To which kingdom do you belong?
Are you still living your life in rebellion to God, trying to burst free from what you view as His bonds? Have you failed to embrace Jesus and take refuge in Him, instead choosing to try and approach God based on your own goodness or by some other means? I pray not, because if that describes your life, then you will face God’s wrath if you don’t do something to change your life. Please don’t leave here today until you’ve talked to someone about how to embrace Jesus and take refuge in Him.
Or have you submitted your life to Jesus and taken refuge in Him alone as means by which you attempt to approach God? Are you seeking to live your life according to His commands – the ones He has established for your own protection and joy? If so, then you’re in for a real treat in the coming months as we study the Psalms and learn together how to walk more closely with Jesus each day. And as we do that, we will receive the blessing that God promises to all who take refuge in Jesus.
