Psalm 2 — Power and Derision

1 Why do the nations rage,
And the peoples imagine a vain thing?
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 break their bands asunder,
And cast away their cords from us.
4 He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh:
The Lord shall have them in derision.
5 Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath,
And vex them in his sore displeasure:
6 Yet I have set my king
Upon my holy hill of Zion.
7 I will tell of the decree:
The LORD said unto me, Thou art my son;
This day have I begotten thee.
8 Ask of me, and I will give thee the nations for thine inheritance,
And the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.
9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron;
Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.
10 Now therefore be wise, O ye kings:
Be instructed, ye judges of the earth.
11 Serve the LORD with fear,
And rejoice with trembling.
12 Kiss the son, lest he be angry, and ye perish in the way,
For his wrath will soon be kindled.
Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

This psalm holds all the power of the Universe. It speaks of the power of God in contrast with whatever power of the greatest kings of power on earth. And God simply laughs. When the tiny bear cub decides to turn and scold its mother, the cub is bowled over in surprise. When the nations rage, or try to rage, against the creator of the very soil on which they stand, God laughs.

This psalm of power is almost deriding against these kings and peoples of power. And why not? Their weakness is profound and their insulting attitudes against their great God is despicable! Why wouldn't God laugh at them as he establishes the king he wants to rule. God establishes his Son, his own chosen king, to be our ruler. This king has the great power and authority of God at his very fingertips. It's given him by God himself! He has the rod that destroys. He has the uttermost parts of creation in his hands.

So let us be wise, be we kings or no. Let us carefully consider our God and our King. Let us mindfully listen to what they say, lest we, too, are held in derision. We are lesser than these foolish kings. Let's not hold tiny fists to the sky, raging against words we do not like. Instead, let us lift holy hands praising and proclaiming the good word of the gospel. Let us not be in fear of what these petty rulers and kings may say and think. Instead, let us live and share the Gospel; the very words which will shake the ground on which we stand.