I. Read Psalm 2.
Why do the nations conspire
and the peoples plot in vain?
2 The kings of the earth rise up
and the rulers band together
against the Lord and against his anointed, saying,
3 “Let us break their chains
and throw off their shackles.”
4 The One enthroned in heaven laughs;
the Lord scoffs at them.
5 He rebukes them in his anger
and terrifies them in his wrath, saying,
6 “I have installed my king
on Zion, my holy mountain.”
7 I will proclaim the Lord’s decree:
He said to me, “You are my son;
today I have become your father.
8 Ask me,
and I will make the nations your inheritance,
the ends of the earth your possession.
9 You will break them with a rod of iron;
you will dash them to pieces like pottery.”
10 Therefore, you kings, be wise;
be warned, you rulers of the earth.
11 Serve the Lord with fear
and celebrate his rule with trembling.
12 Kiss his son, or he will be angry
and your way will lead to your destruction,
for his wrath can flare up in a moment.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him. (NIV)
Introduction – Since the dawn of human civilization a conflict has brewed. The powers of this world have declared war with God and those that follow him. Psalm 2 relates the ultimate futility of this course of action. Those who truly walk in the way of the Lord will have tension with the world. In the course of this conflict, there was One who walked perfectly according to the will of God. He came to earth and faced the ultimate in resistance from the earthly powers of His time. He was sent into world to endure this brutality and to overcome it. He came then as a lamb (Jn. 1:29), but he will come again as a lion (Rev.5:5). Psalm 2 speaks of the evil intent of the world, the Son who endured this evil and overcame it, and his present rule in triumph over the world from his heavenly throne (Acts 2:33ff). Even now his kingdom grows. The rulers of this world are warned to act now and commit their allegiance to him before they encounter his wrath.
In your own words, respond to the questions.
- How does the world now rebel against the rule of God?
- How do you participate in that rebellion?
- How does the truth of this Psalm relate to the command Jesus gave in Matthew 28:18-20?
- What are at least three actions you can take to align yourself more on the side of his kingdom?
II. Pray Psalm 2. Write out a short prayer as your response to the truth of this Psalm. Praise God for his power and authority.
III. Sing this Psalm. Worship God by singing the words of this Psalm in a setting from the Reformation era. Listen to or download this Psalm and view the music (in the Outline). Listen to a folky alternative version of this Psalm on Spotify.
31 Days with God 