Today we’ll be taking a look at Psalm 2:
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.”
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.
This is a continuation of the previous Psalm, and continues expounding upon the excellencies of God. It begins with our rebellion, which all of us have participated in because we were born in sin. Before God graciously saved us we were all at enmity with God, actively opposed to Him and His sovereign rule. But we were not only opposed to the Father, we were opposed His Anointed. That word Anointed is where we get our word for Christ, or Messiah (Don’t forget, Christ is not Jesus’ last name!). When we’re opposed to God we’re opposed to His Son! And how does God respond? He laughs! Anyone who thinks God doesn’t have a sense of humor needs to read more of their Bible! It seems that God thinks it’s cute when we as his creation try to oppose Him, as if we could sway Him! But He doesn’t only laugh, He also responds in His wrath. How often do you think of God being wrathful? Most of the time when I talk to people they overemphasize God’s love. And while God is love, He is also wrathful, such that the author of Hebrews reminds us that it is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God!
But what does God’s response tell us? He responds by saying His Son is forever on His throne, and nothing can change that! No group, army, king, person can other throw God’s perfect and sovereign rule and reign over His creation. All God has to do is speak and all His enemies will crumble and cease to exist (almost like the SNAP in Avengers: Infinity War). So because God is wrathful, we must instead submit ourselves to Him, and serve Him with fear and trembling remembering that He is God and we are not! So if we completely rely on Him, then we will be called Blessed, as the last verse AND Psalm 1 remind us! So let’s ensure we are not opposed to Him!
SONG:
A group called “Poor Bishop Hooper” is taking the next 3 years to work through setting every Psalm to a song. So today’s song is simply called ‘Psalm 2’ you can listen on their WEBSITE or on SPOTIFY.
Pastor Mike's Musings 