Psalm Saturday: Psalm 2

Psalm 2

Why do the nations rage
and the peoples plot in vain?
The kings of the earth set themselves,
and the rulers take counsel together,
against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying,
“Let us burst their bonds apart
and cast away their cords from us.”

He who sits in the heavens laughs;
the Lord holds them in derision.
Then he will speak to them in his wrath,
and terrify them in his fury, saying,
“As for me, I have set my King
on Zion, my holy hill.”

I will tell of the decree: The Lord said to me, “You are my Son;
today I have begotten you.
Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage,
and the ends of the earth your possession.
You shall break them with a rod of iron
and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.”

Now therefore, O kings, be wise;
be warned, O rulers of the earth.
Serve the Lord with fear,
and rejoice with trembling.
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.
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We live in a crazy world. The first verse of this Psalm describes earth’s current condition perfectly: a collection of nations that rage against each other. Leaders of nations plan and plot for their own gains and personal ambitions. Countries and peoples vie over territory, oil, or other resources. Warfare is everywhere. Strife and discord are the headlines of news sources all over the world. What do we do?

We submit to a higher power. Just as I mentioned last week in regards to the U.S. Presidential election, we must understand that God is the ultimate authority, and he is in control. The fourth verse of this Psalm describes how God sits and laughs at the futility of mankind’s governmental plans and aims. Why? Because they do not matter. In the grand scheme of eternity, they are trivial. There is only one king and one kingdom which are truly significant—Christ and his kingdom.

The earth is God’s property. He made it. He spoke words into the darkness and created everything. No man did that. No king could ever make that happen. We fight over what God already controls. It is ultimately futile when nations war against each other and ultimately rebel against God, because he is the true authority.

Psalm 2 ends with a dire warning to those in power and for people in general—bow or perish. We can stand against the authority of God, or we can submit to it. He does not force us to bow. Not yet, anyway. We are reminded by Scripture that one day every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Philippians 2:10-11). But at this moment in time, we are given the choice.

Personally, I choose to submit. I will bow before Christ and kiss his feet. I will serve him in humility, reverence, fear, and love. He is the King of Glory. He is worthy. And I will take my refuge in Him.

I pray that your decision is the same.