Psalms 2

Chapter Overview

What happens in Psalms 2

This royal and messianic psalm describes the nations rebelling against God and his chosen king. It is quoted many times in the New Testament as pointing to Jesus Christ and was likely used at the crowning of Israel's kings.

Scripture

The Nations Rebel

Study note

The psalm opens with a question: Why do the nations plot uselessly against God? Kings and rulers join together to fight against the Lord and his anointed one. They want to break free from God's authority.

1 What is the point of all this uproar among the nations? Why do people waste their time with plots that will never work? Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?

2 The world's kings line up for battle, and leaders join forces to fight against the Lord and the king he has chosen. The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying,

3 "Let's rip their ropes apart," they say. "Let's throw off every bit of their authority!" Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.

God's Response from Heaven

Study note

God is not worried by their rebellion. He sits in heaven and laughs at their foolish plans. Then he speaks in anger and declares that he has already placed his king on Mount Zion, the holy hill in Jerusalem.

4 The one who is seated in heaven laughs at them. The Lord looks down and makes fun of their silly plans. He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.

5 Then, burning with anger, he speaks to them, and his fierce rage fills them with terror. Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.

6 "I am the one who set my chosen king on Zion, my holy mountain," he declares. Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.

God's Promise to His King

Study note

The king shares what God has told him. God has called him his son and promised to give him authority over all the nations of the earth. Christians understand this as pointing to the Messiah.

7 The king shares what the Lord told him: "He said to me, 'You are my Son. Today I have become your Father.'" I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.

8 "Ask me, and I will hand over every nation to you. The entire world will be yours." Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.

9 "You will govern them with an iron rod and shatter them like clay jars." Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.

A Warning to the Rulers

Study note

The psalm ends with a warning to all rulers: be wise, serve the Lord with respect, and submit to his chosen king. Those who trust in God will be blessed, but those who reject him will face his anger.

10 So pay attention, you kings. Take this warning seriously, you leaders of the world. Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.

11 Worship the Lord with deep respect, and celebrate — but do so with trembling. Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

12 Honor the Son, or his anger will flare up and your path will lead to destruction, because his rage can ignite in a moment. But oh, how happy are those who run to him for safety! Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

Key Themes

Themes in Psalms 2

The nations rebel against God's anointedGod's sovereign laughter at human defianceThe decree of God's SonA warning to rulers to submit to God

Prophetic Connections

How this chapter points to Christ

Psalms Psalm 2:1-2 Acts 4:25-26

The early church quoted this psalm as fulfilled in the conspiracy against Jesus by Herod, Pilate, the Gentiles, and the leaders of Israel.

Psalms Psalm 2:7 Acts 13:33; Hebrews 1:5; Hebrews 5:5

God's declaration 'You are my Son; today I have begotten you' is applied to Jesus at his resurrection and as evidence of his divine Sonship.

Psalms Psalm 2:9 Revelation 2:27; Revelation 19:15

The promise that the Son will rule the nations with a rod of iron is applied to Christ's ultimate reign and shared with his faithful followers.

Apply This Today

Living Psalms 2

The world's opposition to God's purposes is nothing new, and it never succeeds. Psalm 2 reminds us that God is never threatened by human rebellion. Take courage: the chaos you see around you is already under God's control. His King reigns, and bowing to him is the wisest decision anyone can make.

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