Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?
The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed, saying,
Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.
He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.
Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.
Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.
I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.
Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.
Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.
Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.
Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.
Psalms 2 is a powerful and prophetic psalm, often categorized as a royal or messianic psalm. These types of psalms focus on kingship, whether it be the earthly reign of a Davidic king or, more significantly, the eternal reign of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Other psalms that share this royal theme include Psalms 18, 20, 21, 45, 72, 89, 101, 110, 132, and 144. The New Testament directly connects this psalm to Jesus, particularly in Acts 13:33 (referencing Psalms 2:7) and Revelation 2:27 (linking Psalms 2:9 to Christ's victory). Understanding Psalms 2 provides a foundational understanding of God's plan for His Anointed One.
The Futility of Rebellion (Psalms 2:1-3)
The psalm opens with a thought-provoking question: "Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?" (Psalms 2:1). This isn't a question seeking information, but rather a rhetorical device highlighting the absurdity of humanity's defiance against God. Acts 4:25 attributes these words to David, and the apostles applied this very idea to the persecution of Jesus by the religious leaders in Israel (Acts 4:27-28). It expresses astonishment that cultures and governments of earth would try to ignore God.
Kings and rulers conspire together, setting themselves against the LORD and His Anointed One (Psalms 2:2). Their motivation stems from selfishness and pride, a desire to cast off the "chains" of God's authority and live according to their own will (Psalms 2:3). They are motivated by anger and hatred (1 Peter 4:3–4; John 15:18–19). But, to stand against the LORD is ultimately futile.
God's Sovereign Response (Psalms 2:4-6)
The fury of earthly powers is no match for God's sovereignty. He who sits in the heavens laughs (Psalms 2:4). The symbolism of God "laughing" isn't mockery, but an expression of His absolute power and control. It demonstrates how utterly outmatched sinful humans are in their rebellion. Despite the angst of those who disobey, God will establish His rule, through Christ, just as He has promised.
Even when nations "rage," God "laughs" in response, demonstrating the vast difference in power. God remains enthroned in heaven and chuckles at the ridiculous rebels and ridicules them. Ultimately, God will speak in His wrath and terrify them in His anger, declaring, "I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill" (Psalms 2:6). This points to the establishment of God's kingdom, centered on His chosen King.
The King's Authority (Psalms 2:7-9)
The psalm then shifts to the King speaking: "I will proclaim the Lord’s decree: He said to me, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father" (Psalms 2:7). This verse carries profound significance. Firstly, it reminds us that the Davidic king was considered God’s “son” when anointed and installed on his throne (see 2 Samuel 7:12-14). But, this sentence is even truer of Jesus, the heir to the Davidic throne and the only one who can truly be called “the Son of God.”
The Father promises the Son an inheritance: "Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession" (Psalms 2:8). While David possessed a great kingdom and ruled the nations because of the victories God gave him, only King Jesus will receive all the nations as his inheritance and the ends of the earth as his possession when he reigns in the millennium. This speaks to the ultimate authority and dominion that Jesus Christ will possess. He will rule with an iron scepter, shattering all opposition (Psalms 2:9). No nation—however powerful—will be able to stand against him. Rebellion against the kingdom reign of Messiah is pointless; it is the rebellion of an ant against an elephant.
A Call to Wisdom and Submission (Psalms 2:10-12)
The psalm concludes with a plea to the kings and rulers of the earth: "Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth" (Psalms 2:10). God calls all kings to be wise and receive instruction. They are called to serve him with reverential awe and to rejoice with trembling (Psalms 2:11). If they will humble themselves in submission, they will prosper. To continue prideful revolt is a fool’s errand that will result in defeat.
They are urged to "kiss the Son," which in Hebrew literally means to “pay homage” to the Son—that is, to submit to his authority and rule. In ancient culture, polite forms of a kiss were the equivalent of a modern hug or handshake. King Jesus is not only to be obeyed but also worshiped just as the Father is worshiped. “Every knee will bow . . . and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:10-11).
The psalm ends with a promise of blessing: "Blessed are all who take refuge in him" (Psalms 2:12). Those who do so are happy and blessed. The church is to model this satisfaction that will be universal in the millennial kingdom. Those who refuse face the prospect of His wrath. The way to escape the Son’s anger against sin is by taking refuge in him.
Psalms 2 offers a timeless message of God's sovereignty, the authority of His Anointed King, and the call for all people to submit to His reign. It serves as a reminder that true blessing comes from placing our trust in Him.
Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?
The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed, saying,
Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.
He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.
Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.
Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.
I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.
Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.
Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.
Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.
Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.
Psalms 2 is a powerful and prophetic psalm, often categorized as a royal or messianic psalm. These types of psalms focus on kingship, whether it be the earthly reign of a Davidic king or, more significantly, the eternal reign of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Other psalms that share this royal theme include Psalms 18, 20, 21, 45, 72, 89, 101, 110, 132, and 144. The New Testament directly connects this psalm to Jesus, particularly in Acts 13:33 (referencing Psalms 2:7) and Revelation 2:27 (linking Psalms 2:9 to Christ's victory). Understanding Psalms 2 provides a foundational understanding of God's plan for His Anointed One.
The Futility of Rebellion (Psalms 2:1-3)
The psalm opens with a thought-provoking question: "Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?" (Psalms 2:1). This isn't a question seeking information, but rather a rhetorical device highlighting the absurdity of humanity's defiance against God. Acts 4:25 attributes these words to David, and the apostles applied this very idea to the persecution of Jesus by the religious leaders in Israel (Acts 4:27-28). It expresses astonishment that cultures and governments of earth would try to ignore God.
Kings and rulers conspire together, setting themselves against the LORD and His Anointed One (Psalms 2:2). Their motivation stems from selfishness and pride, a desire to cast off the "chains" of God's authority and live according to their own will (Psalms 2:3). They are motivated by anger and hatred (1 Peter 4:3–4; John 15:18–19). But, to stand against the LORD is ultimately futile.
God's Sovereign Response (Psalms 2:4-6)
The fury of earthly powers is no match for God's sovereignty. He who sits in the heavens laughs (Psalms 2:4). The symbolism of God "laughing" isn't mockery, but an expression of His absolute power and control. It demonstrates how utterly outmatched sinful humans are in their rebellion. Despite the angst of those who disobey, God will establish His rule, through Christ, just as He has promised.
Even when nations "rage," God "laughs" in response, demonstrating the vast difference in power. God remains enthroned in heaven and chuckles at the ridiculous rebels and ridicules them. Ultimately, God will speak in His wrath and terrify them in His anger, declaring, "I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill" (Psalms 2:6). This points to the establishment of God's kingdom, centered on His chosen King.
The King's Authority (Psalms 2:7-9)
The psalm then shifts to the King speaking: "I will proclaim the Lord’s decree: He said to me, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father" (Psalms 2:7). This verse carries profound significance. Firstly, it reminds us that the Davidic king was considered God’s “son” when anointed and installed on his throne (see 2 Samuel 7:12-14). But, this sentence is even truer of Jesus, the heir to the Davidic throne and the only one who can truly be called “the Son of God.”
The Father promises the Son an inheritance: "Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession" (Psalms 2:8). While David possessed a great kingdom and ruled the nations because of the victories God gave him, only King Jesus will receive all the nations as his inheritance and the ends of the earth as his possession when he reigns in the millennium. This speaks to the ultimate authority and dominion that Jesus Christ will possess. He will rule with an iron scepter, shattering all opposition (Psalms 2:9). No nation—however powerful—will be able to stand against him. Rebellion against the kingdom reign of Messiah is pointless; it is the rebellion of an ant against an elephant.
A Call to Wisdom and Submission (Psalms 2:10-12)
The psalm concludes with a plea to the kings and rulers of the earth: "Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth" (Psalms 2:10). God calls all kings to be wise and receive instruction. They are called to serve him with reverential awe and to rejoice with trembling (Psalms 2:11). If they will humble themselves in submission, they will prosper. To continue prideful revolt is a fool’s errand that will result in defeat.
They are urged to "kiss the Son," which in Hebrew literally means to “pay homage” to the Son—that is, to submit to his authority and rule. In ancient culture, polite forms of a kiss were the equivalent of a modern hug or handshake. King Jesus is not only to be obeyed but also worshiped just as the Father is worshiped. “Every knee will bow . . . and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:10-11).
The psalm ends with a promise of blessing: "Blessed are all who take refuge in him" (Psalms 2:12). Those who do so are happy and blessed. The church is to model this satisfaction that will be universal in the millennial kingdom. Those who refuse face the prospect of His wrath. The way to escape the Son’s anger against sin is by taking refuge in him.
Psalms 2 offers a timeless message of God's sovereignty, the authority of His Anointed King, and the call for all people to submit to His reign. It serves as a reminder that true blessing comes from placing our trust in Him.