Psalm 2
Acts 2:25 says "You spoke long ago by the Holy Spirit through our ancestor David, your servant, saying, ‘Why were the nations so angry? Why did they waste their time with futile plans?"
So, this Psalm was written by King David.
1
Why are the nations in such an uproar? Why are the people making worthless, rebellious plans?
2
The rulers of the earth make plans to unit against the I AM and His Chosen One.
"Chosen One" here is the word Messiah. Hebrew scriptures apply it to anyone selected by God to do a certain job.
A couple translations render this "God's chosen king," while most use a synonym for Jesus. Either one is appropriate.
Certainly, the powerful in the world often try to throw off the rule of God and His chosen leaders (and God very much does call certain humans to serve in political offices).
But we all try to rule our own lives instead of turning them over to Jesus, to do things our own way.
New testament authors apply this scripture to Jesus.
3
They yell "Let's free ourselves from God's chains! Let's free ourselves from His rules!"
Humans in their pitiful arrogance think of God's rules as handcuffs keeping them from fun, good things. So His chosen rulers are symbols of oppression to them.
The truth is that humans are either servants of God or servants of Satan. There is no in-between. If you throw off God's "shackles" you put on Satan's. You find what you want to do that God forbid is actually enslaving you to addiction and vice; it's producing depression , violence, poverty, hatred, selfishness, and tyranny. His rules are there to protect you and those around you.
4
The One seated on His throne in heaven laughs at them. The King mocks them.
The most terrifying prophecy I ever heard was directed towards the Biden administration; "God is laughing at you. But He is not smiling."
5
At His appointed time, God thunders at them in anger!
6
Saying, "I have installed My King in Jerusalem on My holy hill!
David probably wrote this for his own coronation, but God was referring more to Christ when He inspired it. Acts makes pthis plain.
It would not be inappropriate, however, to apply this to anyone God has called to be a ruler of some type who submits himself to God.
7
The King says, "I will proclaim the promise the I AM spoke to me; 'You are My Son. Today I have become Your Father.'
Though certainly applicable to David, very much more so to Christ as declared in Acts 13:33 and Hebrews 1:5.
8
(The King is still quoting what God told him)
" 'Just ask and I will give you all the nations as your inheritance; you will own the ends of the earth.
9
" 'You (the appointed ruler, Christ), will destroy them (the rebels) with an iron rod;
"Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me." - Psalm 23.
The shepherds staff was used to guide and rescue his sheep.
The rod (a long thin club, often with a sharpened tip) was a tool used to punish/ correct the sheep, as well as drive off predators. Correction/punishment makes a sheep reluctant to leave safety and travel where there are dangers the shepherd knows of but the sheep can't see.
Here there is no guiding staff, only the punishing, weapon-like rod for those who lead rebellions against God.
" 'You will destroy them like clay pots.' "
Christ has ultimate authority to rule and punish. He is patient, wanting and encouraging even the worst of us to turn from their sin and follow Him. But the time always comes when those who will not turn are punished, firmly and completely- like hitting a clay pot with an iron stick.
10
Now the psalmist speaks to the rebels of the first part of the chapter.
And so, be smart, O kings! Don't be stupid, all you judges and rulers of planet earth!
11
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12
Submit to God's chosen one or He will be angry with you, and you will die in your rebellion when His anger flashes out at you. O how happy are all those who trust in God!
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