Traditionally Psalm 2 is considered a continuation of Psalm 1. Psalm 2, along with Psalm 1, introduces the promise that those who follow the way of the Lord will find happiness. Psalm one begins with the word blessed/happy and Psalm two ends with the word blessed/happy joining the two psalms together thematically. Psalm 2, a royal Psalm, was probably connected with the coronation of a new king and shows the importance of the king’s role as God’s representative. Historically it has been considered a messianic psalm referring to the coming of the Messiah.

Psalm 2 contrasts God’s anointed king with other rulers. Other nations rise up against the Lord and His anointed plotting to overthrow them but the Lord laughs and offers support to Israel’s king who rules from Zion. This week as I was meditating on Psalm 2:1-6, I was reminded of the poem “Rebellious Ones” that I wrote a few years ago after meditating on the same portion of scripture. I’d like to share it with you.

Rebellious Ones
By Susan Miller

The nations rise up against you;
people curse and mock your name,
joining together in rebellion,
hoping to stamp out your flame.

Joining together they try to
break away from your restraint;
with hatred towards you burning within,
they long to wipe out your saints.

“Let us throw off this yoke of God
that is hampering our brains!
We are too smart for those fairy tales!”
They cry out in their disdain.

God sits in quiet dignity,
enthroned in heaven above,
chuckling at their absurdity,
as they run away from love.

He rebukes them in his anger;
rebellion is such a waste.
Jehovah’s kingdom was established!
The enemy is displaced!

As I was meditating on Psalm 2 this week my mind went to how things haven’t changed much since the days when this psalm was penned. Humankind is still rebelling against their Creator and mocking Him. We still want to go our own way and ignore Him and His laws. God is still sitting on His throne shaking his head and laughing at our absurd foolishness. I’m sure watching us choosing to go down the path of rebellion and self-destruction frustrates Him and breaks His heart.

Going back to the second half of Psalm 2, we see in verse seven that on his day of coronation, the king is both God’s anointed and His son by adoption. Both of these important titles put emphasis on the fact that the royal authority of the Davidic kings was a divine gift. It was through this line that the Messiah was going to be born. Through the Messiah, the nations will come under the authority of God and His reign.

We can rest in peace knowing that our Messiah came and gave His life for us so that we can be free from the chains of sin and oppression. All nations are in His possession. He was victorious over the enemy and one day He will come back and rule the earth from Jerusalem. This week as I was pondering on the second half of Psalm 2, I was reminded of the poem, “My Proclamation,” that I wrote a few years back based on this same portion of scripture. It reads:

My Proclamation
By Susan Miller

You are Jehovah’s son!
The whole — earth your possession;
all nations — your inheritance!
Your iron rod breaks all oppression!

You will break the nations
like pottery dashed upon rocks.
Their imperial strength but straw
in Your hands — my Lord and King of All!

“All earth‘s leaders — be wise!
Heed this warning — fear the Lord!
Celebrate and respect His rule!
Honor Him! Your reverence — His award!“

I take refuge in the Lord —
Seek His face and trust him!
He’s my shield and protector —
my Advocate — the Arrow Deflector!“

We all have a choice. Who will we serve? Will we choose to follow after the things the world has to offer — chasing after fame, fortune, and fleshly desires? Or will we choose to follow after the Lord — placing Him and His ways above all else? Choosing to follow Him puts the Lord and His ways above all else. It means living a selfless life. It means treating others how I would like to be treated. It means loving those I encounter like I love myself. I choose to take refuge in the Lord. I choose to seek His face and trust Him.

What did you glean from Psalm 2 this week? Share your thoughts in the comments section.