Psalm Category: Royal or Enthronement Psalm

Key Word: Anointed One (masiah). In the Old Testament people were often inaugurated into significant offices through anointing with oil. Christ alone has been set apart, anointed, as our eschatological king. He is the only Messiah. However, do not forget that His coronation began with a crown of thorns and a cross. His kingdom is unlike any other; it is not of this world (John 18:36).

Central Thought: Psalm 2 is a clarion call to nations, and individuals, to cease their rebellion and take refuge in Jesus Christ, who is God’s Son and our Messiah and King.

Psalm 2

For just a moment place yourself in the shoes of an Israelite who is in exile in Babylon. Imagine that you are reading a scroll containing Psalm 2. What would you think about the promises in Psalm 2 regarding a universal kingdom ruled out of Zion? You have no temple, no sacrifices, and David’s kingly line seems at an end. What would you think? Let’s look at Psalm 2.

The Mystery of Rebellion (vv. 1-3). The psalm begins with the psalmist positing a question. The reader gets the sense that the psalmist is, as it were, peering down from heaven and pondering the illogical behavior of men who rebel against the sovereign Lord.

Verse 2 reveals that this rebellion is not general in nature, but is targeted against the “Anointed One.” Our culture would like to believe that a person can serve God without accepting Jesus Christ as Lord, but the psalmist is no pluralist. Rejection of Christ equals rebellion against God.

Jesus proclaims in Matthew 11:30 that His yoke is easy and His burden is light, but verse 3 tells us that those who rebel against Christ view His rule as confining them in “chains” and “fetters.” Is this not the cry of the pro-choice (pro-abortion) movement and homosexual activists? However, lest you get too comfortable, is this not representative of your own attitude at times? Are you in any way raging against the rule of Christ?

The Divine Response (vv. 4-6). The psalmist next takes us up into heaven to witness God’s reaction to the behavior of men and nations. God responds in three ways. First, He laughs and scoffs in derision (v. 4). How comforting it is to know that the most evil conspiracies of men do not unsettle God; rather, they elicit mirth. Second, He rebukes them in anger and terrifies them with His wrath (v. 5). Finally, His ultimate answer to their actions is His declaration that He has placed His King over them (v. 6).

The Coronation Ceremony (vv. 7-9). In these verses, by official decree of the Father, Jesus is proclaimed Son and King. A similar heavenly proclamation occurred at Jesus’ baptism (Matt. 3:17) and transfiguration (17:5). In addition, the Apostle Paul connects this portion of the psalm to Christ’s resurrection (Acts 13:33).

Verse 8 informs us that Christ merited the inheritance of the nations through His mediatorial work. Is this not verified in the Great Commission (Matt. 28:18-20)? However, Christ’s inheritance is not ultimately political entities, but rather His elect people from every tongue and tribe (Rev. 7:9).

Verse 9 states that Christ will rule with an iron scepter. This expression might at first conjure up an erroneous image of rule by tyrannical brute force. In contrast, Christ’s rule is righteous, fair, and just (Ps. 72:1-4). The imagery is best understood as a description of the extent and nature of His authority. It will be total and irresistible.

Instruction and Warning (vv. 10-12). The psalmist shifts our focus back to the earthly plane. He instructs and warns the rulers of the earth to “kiss the Son.” This difficult-to-translate phrase has the implication of calling all people to give due reverence and respect to Jesus Christ. This must be done in haste, because Jesus will return as judge, and those who fail to pay homage to Him will taste of His wrath. Heed this warning of the psalmist and cling to Christ!

Place yourself once again in the shoes of an exiled Israelite. Looking at your circumstances, all hope seems lost. However, be encouraged, God has not forgotten His covenant promises to King David. The Lord will provide an everlasting kingdom through David’s offspring (2 Sam. 7:12-13).

The covenant promises to David, and the proclamations of Psalm 2, are fulfilled in the Messiah. David’s descendant and David’s Lord has come in Jesus Christ. Those who submit to His rule will be delivered. As the psalmist concludes in verse 12, “Blessed are all who take refuge in him.”

––Anthony T. Selvaggio