Only One King: Humility as the Way to Blessedness (Psalm 2)
1 Why do the nations rage
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 break 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.—Psalm 2 (ESV)
While Psalm 1 was a wisdom psalm, Psalm 2 is what is known as a royal psalm. This sub-genre of psalms focuses on the majesty and the glory of God as King.
As mentioned in the last post, it is believed that Psalms 1 and 2 were intentionally selected to introduce the entire Psalter. Together, they set the stage for the call of the psalms: to remind God’s people that there is only one way and only one King that will lead us to the blessed life.
With that in mind, let’s do a little observation to understand more about this King!
Studying Psalm 2
Read the psalm (included in its entirety above) several times. As you do, take note of several things:
Observations
Who is the speaker in each of the four stanzas (vv. 1-3, 4-6, 7-9, 10-12) of this psalm?
List the verbs used throughout the psalm. Note the tense (past, present, future). Look at how they are related in parallel and how the second might extend the idea of the first.
What is the problem highlighted in this psalm? What is the recommended solution?
What images are mentioned in verse 9?
What 3 commands in verses 10-12 are given to the kings and rulers (v. 1) by the King of Kings?
What is given to those who obey these commands?
What questions arise for you as you read this psalm? Any points of confusion?
Interpretation
After observing the text, take some time to dig a little deeper to understand its meaning. This psalm has many inferences within the Old Testament as well as quoted many times in the New Testament, so doing a lot of cross-referencing helps bring out the meaning of the psalm.
Understanding the text
First of all, read 2 Samuel 7:1-17 for some back story about the kingdom. What does God promise David? Where do you see hints that God is not just talking about David himself but about his descendent? What do you learn about him? How might this promise connect to this psalm?
Next, take some time to check out these New Testament quotes of different verses. It is explicitly quoted in Acts 4:25-27 (quotes vv. 1-2) and Acts 13:33 (quotes v. 7). It is also quoted in Hebrews 1:5 and 5:5 (v. 7).
For each, do some examination within the context of the passage. If you do not have the time to do this, check out this link or this one from TableTalk magazine for additional insights.
Lastly, Rev. 2:26-28; 12:5; 19:15 all allude to the imagery in verse 9. What do you discover?
Understanding its place in Scripture
Based on these observations, how might this psalm be important to the nation of Israel as God’s people?
How might this psalm point to Christ? (Luke 24:27) What does this psalm tell you about Jesus?
How might Jesus have understood this psalm?
A little commentary
Research in various commentaries helped me to unearth a few insights. How might they help you in your understanding of this psalm?
“Nations” (v. 1a): while this may refer to geographical principalities, it can also be understood as symbolic shorthand for those who ignore God and do life their own way
“plot” or “muttering” in other translations (v. 1b): interestingly, this word is the same as the one used in Psalm 1:2b as the word “meditate.” How might “plotting” be related to “meditating”? What is similar? What is different?
“Anointed” (v. 2c) is the Hebrew name for Messiah
Note that there are two different names of God in vv. 2c and 4b: “LORD” (all caps) is God’s covenantal name, Yahweh, while “Lord” means Adonai or “sovereign one.” How might this subtle difference help you understand the nature of God?
“Zion” (v. 6b) refers to Jerusalem, which sits on a high hill. It is the location of the throne in Judah and will be where God will establish His new kingdom in Revelation 14:1. How might this help you to understand what God is going to do? What connections does this help you make?
“Rod of iron” (v. 9a) is the symbol of shepherd leadership intended of king. If they do not respond to this, then he will move on to something harsher.
“Potter’s vessel” (v. 9b) is an image of a piece that is both hard but also fragile, easily broken if dropped. This image takes the rod of iron symbol to the next level: for those who will not submit, destruction awaits. What effect do these two have? What warning do they give?
“Kiss the son” (v. 12) refers to the act of homage given by a conquered king to the conqueror. How might this help you understand this command given to the rebellious kings in verse 1?
When is “today”? (v. 7c)
This was the one part of the verse that confused me. How can Jesus be begotten if He, as God, has always been?
One of the most helpful explanations is to consider this conversation as one that took place on resurrection day. On that day, Jesus becomes the firstborn of a whole new race of humanity: those who are redeemed through faith in His death and resurrection. And that’s us!
With this in mind, how might this help you understand verse 8? Who is being invited to ask God for nations? What might this psalm reveal to you about the heart of Jesus?
Application
Again, as with Psalm 1, this psalm addresses two groups of people: the repentant and the rebellious. Which group do you fit in? What are the messages to each?
What warning does it give to the rebellious? What can those who repent anticipate?
How might this psalm be a comfort to those who have submitted to the King?
Even if you are a believer, in what particular area of your life do you resist His rule? What would it look like for you to repent from your rebellion?
Consider the three commands in vv. 11-12a. How might these commands look as you submit this area of your life to Him? What heart attitudes need to change? How does your thinking need to change? How do your actions need to change? How might it affect your relationships with others if you were to obey Him?
Reflection: You’re Not the King
As I studied this psalm, I was struck by the many ways that I still try to be the King. Even as a professing believer, I am still bent towards my own way. I may not be outwardly rebellious, but every time I try to run my own life, I am guilty of trying to be King.
However, one of the things that I have struggled with is the concept of kingship itself. As an American, I have not had to “kiss the son” in homage. This flies in the face of our independent nation. I don’t know what that is like.
So one of the things that has helped me is to daily kneel every morning before the Lord. It is the first thing I do when I get up. We have become so casual in prayer—it almost seems like a practice of generations past.
But every time I do get on my knees to pray, and especially before I start the new morning, I am reminded that I am not the King. He is my King, and I am His servant. This physical act prepares me spiritually as I look forward to the day ahead. It protects me from thinking that I am in charge.
For me, this is a reminder that
My days are numbered by Him
All my resources are His
He is the One who blesses me
He sovereignly holds this world together
He has a master plan
He has a Story He is writing
Therefore, I
Trust Him in the things I do not understand
Serve Him in all that I do
Love Him, especially by loving others
Make His glory my goal
Ask Him to refine my selfish desires to reflect Him
While this is a humbling thought—and perhaps a little offensive to some—for believers, it can actually bring great comfort and hope.
In Christ, we who are united with Him through faith become a part of this new race of redeemed humanity. We are part of the heritage God has given His Son. We no longer need to liv ein rebellion.
Instead of anticipating judgment and living in fear, we can know Him as our good and kind Shepherd. He will help us to live in accordance to His law, as it describes in Psalm 1. Together, those who meditate on their King and submit to Him will truly find blessedness in life.
You’re not the King, but you are beloved by the true King.
And that is the blessed life.
Counseling the Word
This is a wonderful psalm to share with those who are walking down a path of rebellion. Whether a professing Christian or not, we need to remember that worshipping any other king—including ourselves—is only going to lead to danger. There is no blessing if we pursue that path.
Therefore, v. 9 is a sober warning. In love, we need to exhort those we love not to persist in this rebellion. It does not pay. You will not win and instead be humiliated when you are forced to confess Jesus as Lord.
Not only that, you will receive the just punishment we deserve for our sin. We either let Christ bear that punishment for us or we bear it ourselves. Think of the cross: Jesus was in agony—how do you think we can endure this, even for a moment?
Like pieces of broken pottery, those who remain in their rebellion will be permanently broken. After refusing Him, we will have no more opportunity. Is our rebellion really worth it?
For believers, our rebellion should make us stop and ask: do we have a true view of who this King is? Perhaps our rebellion is due to a false understanding of God. If so, then He is not the God of the Gospel—and that God cannot save us.
If that is the case, then it may be wise to consider the Gospel once again. Bring those who are in rebellion face to face with God.
He is holy, righteous, and sovereign. He laughs at our rebellious ways.
But the true God simultaneously is good, kind, and loving. He is generous and compassionate to those who humble themselves to Him. He desires to bless those who put their trust in Him.
Getting this right is critical. If we have a false view of God, it is understandable why we might want to rebel.
But if we see Him truly, we will have new desires planted in us:
A desire to serve Him with fear, in awe and worship, not terror
A heart that rejoices and delights to serve Him—and not as a duty
A passion to honor Him in humility as our King
As we counsel others, let this psalm bring us face to face with the true King. Encourage them to consider any rival kings in our lives, including ones of our own making, fashioned of false beliefs.
And then walk with them to help them bow before the true King and dedicate their lives to Him. Together, we can then keep ruthlessly rooting out those pockets of rebellion that remain. We repent, turn, and enter the process of change throughout our lives.
And there lies the blessing: becoming like our beloved King, Jesus Christ.
Praying the Word
Praise: that the King has come into our world to free us from the slavery of sin, a far worse master; praise that the Father honored the Son for His own submission and humble sacrifice by permanently setting Him on the throne as our Messiah. Praise God that through Christ, He has created a new race of humanity that will rise again, even after death.
Thanksgiving: for Christ’s willingness to become the “begotten” son, taking on human flesh to represent us. Thank Him for bearing the punishment due us and paying our debt.
Confession: Name the ways we are like the kings in our rebellion. Humbly confess and then renounce our ways and turn to Him.
Petitions: Pray that God will help you to commit to live for Him alone. Pray for the specific areas that need to change in your life so that it reflects this commitment.
Intercession: for those who remain in their rebellious ways; pray that God will answer Jesus’ prayer for children from every nation to be his heritage. Pray for specific people groups and nations who may live in ignorance and rebellion.
