Psalms 2

Psalm 2 opens by questioning the futile rebellion of nations and their rulers against the LORD and His Anointed. God, enthroned in heaven, derides their plans and declares His decree: He has set His Son as King on Zion. This Son is granted authority over the nations, destined to rule them with an iron rod. The psalm concludes with a warning to earthly rulers to serve the LORD with fear and honor the Son, promising blessing to those who trust in Him.

The psalm begins with an inquiry into the reason for the nations' tumultuous rage and their rulers' vain conspiracy against the LORD and His Anointed. These earthly powers seek to break free from divine authority. However, the LORD, who sits in the heavens, observes their rebellion with derision and will address them in His wrath, having already established His King upon His holy hill of Zion. The divine decree is then declared, revealing the Anointed as God's begotten Son, to whom the nations are given as an inheritance. This Son is empowered to rule with an iron rod, breaking and dashing His adversaries. Therefore, the psalm admonishes kings and judges to be wise, serve the LORD with fear, and show reverence to the Son. A warning is issued against incurring His swift wrath, while a blessing is pronounced upon all who place their trust in Him.

Psalm 2 commences with a rhetorical question concerning the tumultuous uproar of the heathen nations and the futile plots devised by their peoples. It highlights how the kings of the earth and their rulers conspire in unity against the LORD and His chosen Anointed One, expressing a desire to cast off their perceived bonds and cords of authority. Yet, the divine response is one of supreme confidence and derision; the One enthroned in the heavens laughs at their vain imaginings and holds them in contempt. Following this, God declares His intention to speak to them in His wrath and vex them in His severe displeasure, asserting His sovereign act of setting His King upon His holy hill of Zion. The psalm then shifts to a declaration from the Anointed King Himself, revealing the LORD's decree: “Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.” This divine sonship is accompanied by a promise of universal dominion, where the nations are granted as an inheritance and the uttermost parts of the earth as a possession. The Son is further empowered to rule with absolute authority, breaking His adversaries with a rod of iron and dashing them in pieces like a potter's vessel. In light of these divine pronouncements, the psalm concludes with an earnest exhortation to the earthly kings and judges. They are urged to be wise, to receive instruction, and to serve the LORD with reverential fear, rejoicing with trembling. Crucially, they are commanded to “Kiss the Son,” a gesture of homage, lest His anger be kindled, leading to their perishing. The psalm ends with a beatitude, declaring blessed all those who put their trust in Him.