Psalm 2 Series

Psalm 2

Psalm 2:1-12

1 Why do the nations conspire (rage) [1] and the peoples plot in vain?

2 The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the LORD and against his Anointed One.[2]

3 "Let us break their chains," they say, "and throw off their fetters."

4 The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them.

5 Then he rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying,

6 "I have installed my King[3] on Zion, my holy hill."

7 I will proclaim the decree of the LORD: He said to me, "You are my Son[4] ; today I have become your Father.[5]

8 Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession.

9 You will rule them with an iron scepter[6] ; you will dash them to pieces like pottery."

10 Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth.

11 Serve the LORD with fear and rejoice with trembling.

12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry and you be destroyed in your way, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

I. Introduction:

1) This is a Messianic Psalm

A)Messianic psalms are the ones that describe and

point to the coming of the Messiah.

When we look at the psalms as Christians we can sometimes consider a passage Messianic which is not – because we know the rest of the story.

-This Psalm however is undeniably messianic

B)One unique feature of this Psalm is that the Messiah

Himself speaks in this Psalm

trough David.

2)Ps. 2 is one of the most quoted psalms in the New

Testament

Prominent examples:

a. Acts 4:24-27.

i. Quotes v.s 1-2 and applies it to:

A)Herod and Pontius Pilate along with the Gentiles and

people of Israel who opposed Jesus.

b. Heb. 1:5 and 5:5

i. Quote verse 7 of psalm 2 "You are my Son[4] ; today I have become your Father.[5]”

A)This verse is applied to Jesus in each case.

c. Revelation openly quotes the psalm 3 times.

(1:5, 2:27, 12:5)

3) Psalm 2 is an introductory psalm

a. There is evidence in Christian and Jewish

tradition that Psm 2 was originally joined to

ps 1

b. This is significant…because it cast another

light on Psm 2. (I will avoid the complicated

details of how this can be proved).

i. The two ways (evil / good) of Psalm 1 are further

explained

A)The evil man of Ps 1 is seen in open rebellion in

2:1-2

1 Why do the nations conspire (rage) [1] and the peoples plot in vain? 2 The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the LORD and against his Anointed One.[2]

B)The good man of Ps. 1 is identified as God’s Son in

7-8 of Psalm 2 and He receives the results of His

righteousness.

"7 I will proclaim the decree of the LORD: He said to me, "You are my Son[4] ; today I have become your Father.[5] 8 Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession. Ps. 2:7-8.

a.His blessedness (PS1:1) is seen in the inheritance

of the nations.

C)David points out in Ps.2 point out that the way the

wicked can avoid impending destruction is by taking

refuge in God’s Son (Jesus!)

“12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry and you be destroyed in your way, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.”

II. Dialog of The 3 Speakers in Psalm. 2:

1)The narrator speaks concerning evil men.. v.s. 1-3

1 Why do the nations conspire (rage) [1] and the peoples plot in vain? 2 The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the LORD and against his Anointed One.[2] 3 "Let us break their chains," they say, "and throw off their fetters."

a.Some argue that this was an account of evil eastern kings who wanted to remove David (God’s anointed earthly king) form the throne.

i.The Language in the passage itself directs our attention from David to the Lord (v.s.

2). “Against the Lord and His anointed one”

b.Note: Not all Psalms are messianic – but this one

is – especially when viewed as joined with Ch. 1.

2) God the Father speaks 3-6

a. God’s response to the rebellion of evil men:

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“What is God’s reaction to the haughty words of these pygmy human rulers? God does not tremble. He does not hide behind a vast celestial rampart, counting the enemy and calculating whether or not He has sufficient force to counter this new challenge to his kingdom. He does not even rise from where He is sitting. He simply laughs at these great imbeciles.” – (Boice 24)