Psalms 2 - ESV - Bible Reading / Study Notes

Psalm 2

The Reign of the Lord’s Anointed

2:1   Why do the nations rage¹
    and the peoples plot in vain?
2   The kings of the earth set themselves,
    and the rulers take counsel together,
    against the LORD and against his Anointed, saying,
3   “Let us burst their bonds apart
    and cast away their cords from us.”
4   He who sits in the heavens laughs;
    the Lord holds them in derision.
5   Then he will speak to them in his wrath,
    and terrify them in his fury, saying,
6   “As for me, I have set my King
    on Zion, my holy hill.”
7   I will tell of the decree:
  The LORD said to me, “You are my Son;
    today I have begotten you.
8   Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage,
    and the ends of the earth your possession.
9   You shall break² them with a rod of iron
    and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.”
10   Now therefore, O kings, be wise;
    be warned, O rulers of the earth.
11   Serve the LORD with fear,
    and rejoice with trembling.
12   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.

Footnotes

[1] 2:1 Or nations noisily assemble
[2] 2:9 Revocalization yields (compare Septuagint) You shall rule

Commentary

Declaration of Christ as King. Acts 4.25 indicates that this psalm was attributed to David.

v1-3: The question from the godly, about the counsel of the ungodly; and descriptions of the rebellious. Quoted in Acts 4.25-26, where there was a fulfilment in Herod and Pilate; they are the kings of the earth who agreed to have Jesus killed. A further fulfilment lies ahead; consistent with Rev 20.7-9 (Rev 19.17-19 also).

This is deliberate opposition; they plot, they take counsel; it is no accident that they do what they do. There is opposition to the Lord, His word, His people, His standards, His restraint. In contrast, the godly must delight in God's standards, happy that He sets limits for our behaviour.

v4-6: The response from God the Judge. He mocks their plans, for such schemes are useless against Almighty God. Their only expectation can be wrath and distress.

'Behold my Son,' for God has installed His Son, Jesus Christ, as King. All things are to be subject to Him. This one King is more powerful than all the kings of the earth.

God's purposes fulfilled through Zion, the holy hill, God's chosen place. Such a calling cannot be revoked, for God is not a man that He should lie, or change His mind. Christ will reign from Zion, the holy hill in Jerusalem.

This divine laughter is laughter of joy with the inevitability of the final victory of God through Jesus Christ.

v7-9: The answer from the Son. In 2 Sam 8.1-14, the nations were subject to David; he perhaps saw ahead to a greater kingdom. In Rev 19.13, the nations are Christ's rightful inheritance. David made himself a name, but Jesus Christ has a greater Name (Phil 2.9).

There is a reference to Christ's resurrection (see Acts 13.32-34), He was begotten again from the dead. His rightful inheritance is the nations of the world (Rev 11.15).

v10-12: The counsel for the godly. What should our response be to these great declarations?

First, learn to be wise and instructed.

Second, learn to serve, with fear and trembling and joy.

Third, draw near to kiss the Son, showing affection and devotion. Seek refuge and security in Him.