Psalm 2 || The Lord Reigns
Take a moment to breathe. Then read through Psalm 2 in your own Bible.
Do you ever feel powerless and anxious about the state of our world? Wars, threats of wars, terrorism, corrupt national and international leaders. At times it feels like one big powder keg that could blow at any time. It can be concerning at best and panic-inducing at worst. But Psalm 2 grounds us in a truth that transcends the chaos. It’s a message for both the power-hungry and the powerless: the Lord reigns.
Verses 1-3
“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.’”
Psalm 2 highlights three central figures: the Lord, his Anointed, and those who oppose the Lord and his Anointed. The writer, addressing the foolishness of those who conspire against the Lord, begins with a rhetorical question: Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? Rather than aligning themselves with the Lord and his appointed king, these kings and rulers align with one another, as if their combined efforts can destroy what they Lord has established. They are proud, arrogant, and haughty—thinking themselves wise and powerful. These rulers have either never acknowledged or have forgotten that is the the Lord who created them; they are mere creatures. They rage, plot, and take their stand against him. But their efforts are futile—empty schemes that will amount to nothing.
Verses 4-6
“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.”
While these kings and rulers plot and plan, the Lord laughs. Their schemes amount to nothing in his eyes. He is the true ruler over nations and the only one with the power to build up and tear down, break yokes, and tear apart. He is sovereign and will have the final word no matter their plans.
When I envision the Lord laughing, a benign image comes to mind of a child playfully believing he can overpower his dad. The child lunges with all his might, arm’s flailing and never making contact. While the dad, whose hand is lightly placed on the child’s forehead, holds him at bay, never breaking a sweat. Still the child is determined and believes he can take his dad down. And the dad laughs because he knows how ludicrous it is.
These nations, rulers, and peoples plot and plan and scheme. They fully believe they can land their blows, but the Lord laughs. Because, in the end, they are powerless compared to him. All their blows amount to nothing.
But the Lord doesn’t just laugh at their foolishness; he takes their insolence seriously. The psalmist says that the Lord will speak, and it will be severe. His wrath is contained only for a time, and when he does unleash it, it will be terrifying. He will make it known that he is the Lord, the one who has set—appointed—his king on his throne, and no efforts against him will stand.
Verses 7-9
“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.’”
The psalmist transitions from divine laughter to divine decree, where God promises to deliver the nations into his Son’s hands. Throughout Israel’s history, the Lord repeatedly delivered nations into Israel's hands through military might. This promise, however, extends beyond military conquests to an eternal king whose rule and reign transcends earthly boundaries.
In 2 Samuel 2:16, the Lord promised king David that his throne would be established forever. In Jesus, a descendant of David and God’s only begotten son, we see this promise come into fruition. God delivered all things into Jesus’ hands, not through military might but a cross. And now Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father, enthroned as King over all creation for all eternity, and the nations will be his footstool (Hebrews 10:13).
Verses 10-12
“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.”
The psalm concludes with a sobering admonition for earthly kings and rulers to heed the warning. The Lord is the one who sets kings in place and he is the one who removes them (Daniel 2:21). In light of this, the psalmist calls those who are in positions of leadership, influence, and authority over others to serve the Lord with fear, acknowledging his righteousness and power, to worship him wholeheartedly, and to submit to his rule and reign. The wrath is swift and severe for those who refuse to acknowledge God’s anointed, but those who take refuge in the Lord will be blessed.
We could easily miss the relevance of Psalm 2 in our modern lives. Though the psalm’s context is set in a specific time and place, there are transcendent principles. Primarily, this psalm serves as a warning to those in positions of power and authority. While some have roles which afford them unique amounts of power, each of us possesses influence over others to varying degrees, which should prompt us to hear and heed the psalmist’s warning.
If we find that we've become enamored with power and influence or have used it to further our own agendas, now is the time to turn toward the Lord, acknowledge his rule and reign, and serve him with great fear and trembling. God cares greatly for those under our charge. He knows every one of them by name, and he hears the cries of their hearts. This sobering truth should cause us to reflect. Have I aligned myself with the Lord and what he is doing? Do I recognize that I am still subject to God no matter what earthly power or authority I have? Do I utilize power as a humble servant or to advance my agenda? Do I view myself as better, wiser, and more righteous than others, or am I quick to see others as better than myself?
Additionally, while this psalm is primarily a warning to those in positions of power, it also extends strength and hope to the powerless, those who have suffered under oppressive, unjust, ungodly rulers. Though Jesus was in his very nature God—the all-powerful Creator—he emptied himself of his power and took on the position of a lowly servant. He voluntarily entrusted himself to corrupt earthly rulers and oppressive spiritual authority to the point of death on the cross. Because he was faithful, God elevated him to the place of ultimate power.
Jesus is the good shepherd who cares for his sheep. Jesus is a benevolent ruler who cares deeply for the oppressed, downtrodden, cast out, or overlooked. He intends authorities and those in positions of power rule as servants of their kingdoms for the good of their people. So the hope for any who have suffered is that Jesus sees you; he sees what you endure; he knows what oppression and injustice you experience. It matters deeply to him. And he will hold them accountable for how they wielded or failed to wield their authority. While that doesn't immediately alleviate the pain or resolve the circumstances, it does enable us to entrust ourselves to his care.
Finally, the psalmist reminds us that all who seek refuge in the Lord are blessed. Our safety, security, and refuge aren’t found in our own power and authority, nor are they found in any ruler, nation, political system, or earthly authority. Our refuge is in the Lord, and he is the one who will provide all we need to flourish. Whether we are powerful or powerless, the Lord reigns.
ChrystieQuestions for Reflection:
Engage the Scripture
1. What do you think the main point or emphasis of this psalm is? Why do you think the writer emphasizes it?
2. What are the implications of this psalm for those who hear or read it?
Explore Your Story
1. Which do you relate to more: the one with power or the powerless? Why? What does this psalm have to offer you, whether powerful or powerless?
2. If you have a role that affords you authority and influence, what temptations do you have navigating that role?
3. How can you actively cultivate humility in spaces where you have influence, modeling servanthood rather than self-promotion or exploitation of power?
Encounter Jesus
1. Set a timer for three minutes then write a list of all the things you believe the Lord has power over.
2. Look over your list. What are your first impressions? How does it make you feel?
3. How can the truth that the Lord reigns ground you whether you feel powerless or humble you when in positions of power and influence?