Psalm 2 - Jesus is King

Introduction

When we looked at Psalm 1 we saw the choice individuals make; a choice between life and death. In Psalm 2 we see the same choice, but this time it is one that nations make. In presenting this choice to nations this is a Psalm of kingship, speaking clearly of God’s authority and rule.

The Psalm starts by questioning the nations, and finishes with a promise of blessing.

“Why do the nations conspire

and the peoples pot in vain?”

Psalm 2: 1

“Blessed are all who take

refuge in him.’

Psalm 2: 12b

In between we read the response of God, the one with ultimate authority. Note that the refuge we find in God is the blessing we receive, for that refuge is a place of relationship, shelter, and safety.

By addressing peoples and nations Psalm 2 is a Psalm of kingship. This study is going to look at that kingship in light of Jesus, then we will come back to the challenge presented in the Psalm and how we can best respond.

Finding Jesus in Psalm 2

As we read this Psalm it is clear that it is a kingship Psalm, it speaks of the divine king and the appointed and anointed human king. It is thought that this would have been used during the inauguration of Davidic Kings; a way of speaking warning, blessing, and approval over the one taking the throne. With this in mind it is easy to see how this Psalm, in light of the New Testament, became a Messianic Psalm.

We see this meaning when we piece together the Old Testament context of inauguration, the Hebrew word for anointed (messiah) which the New Testament recognises as Jesus, and passages like Romans 1: 3 - 4.

“regarding his Son, who as to human nature was a descendant of David. And who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Romans 1: 3 - 4

In using the name Christ we see the Greek word for anointed, or Messiah. This is linking the ideas of Psalm 2 with Jesus. Furthermore. The opening of this Psalm is quoted in prayer by early followers of Jesus in Acts 4: 24 - 25 as they give thanks for the release of Peter and John. Peter and John were held in custody for declaring Jesus; the people were plotting against this. It is clear that the New Testament connects Jesus with this Psalm.

Beyond these connections there are a few other overlaps that help us to see Jesus in Psalm 2. The first of these we see in verse 7.

“I will proclaim the decree of the LORD:

He said to me, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father.”

Psalm 2: 7

This reminds me of Jesus' baptism and later the transfiguration.

“As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my son, whom I love, with him I am well pleased.””

Matthew 3: 16 - 17

Here, at Jesus’ baptism, we see God making the kingly declaration of Psalm 2 over Jesus.

Reading on in Psalm 2 we come to this promise:

“Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance,

the ends of the earth your possession.”

Psalm 2: 8

If we also continue to read in Matthew we come to the temptation of Jesus. The final temptation, Matthew 4: 8 - 10, is to rule over all the kingdoms of the world. Jesus resists and in very strong terms pushes the devil away quoting Deuteronomy 6: 13. But it also strikes me that Jesus, being inaugurated as God’s chosen King, had already received the promise of this inheritance from the only one who could fulfil it; God the Father.

This is something we see more clearly when we remember 2 Samuel 7: 11 - 17, especially the start of verse 14 which speaks of the Father Son relationship between God and His chosen King.

The next overlap for us to look at is in verse 12.

“Kiss the Son, lest he be angry and you be destroyed in your way,

for his wrath can flare up in a moment.

Blessed are all who take refuge in him.”

Psalm 2: 12

There are two occasions I can think of where Jesus is kissed, one is an act of betrayal and the other an act of worship. In Matthew 26: 47 - 49 we  read of Judas betraying Jesus with a kiss, and in Luke we read of a kiss as an act of worship.

“... and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.”

Luke 7: 38

When we read Psalm 2 some translations, such as the NRSV, have “kiss the Son” translated as “kiss his feet”. It is unclear which is most accurate, but both speak of reverence, awe, and submission: something we see in this outpouring of love in Luke 7. What is really interesting is Jesus’ response in this chapter.

Jesus, hearing the grumblings of his host, tells a parable and then, in verses 44 - 48, speaks against Simon and in favour of this unnamed woman. We see a sense of wrath or anger accompanied by blessing for those who shelter in Jesus. The woman has her sins forgiven; she finds her refuge and blessing in Jesus. Simon does not find his blessing and refuge.

Our Response

In seeing Jesus in Psalm 2 we are recognising Him as the chosen and anointed KIng. He is the final King, the eternal King in the line of David.

When we recognise and respond to Jesus as King we find blessing and refuge. Like the woman in Luke we receive forgiveness and love. This is the promise, not only of Psalm 2 but also of Psalm 1.

So how should we respond?

“Serve the LORD with fear and rejoice with trembling.

Kiss the Son, lest he be angry with you and you be destroyed in your way,

for his wrath can flare up in a moment.

Blessed are all who take refuge in him.”

Psalm 2: 11 - 12

We have already considered the kiss, the wrath, and the blessing. Now let’s look more closely at verse 11.

It is important to realise that the Bible often uses the word fear in a way that our modern thinking doesn’t immediately allow for. We think of this as being scared of someone or something, maybe a teacher or a boss. We do what they ask simply because we are scared of what they might do if we don’t. This is not the meaning here.

When the Bible uses the word fear it more often means awe and reverence. That is the meaning here. This also makes sense when we consider the Kingship of Jesus, and all that He has done for us. In that consideration we are led to a place of awe and reverence, a place of gratitude that motivates us to serve and live for Him.

What does it look like to serve with fear and trembling?

To answer that we can look at Paul’s letter to the Philippians.

In chapter 2 we read Paul calling the people to unity together, and to having an attitude like that of Christ, verses 1 - 11. With that in mind Paul calls them to work out this salvation.

“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed – not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence – continue to work out your salvation in fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and act according to his purpose.”

Philippians 2: 12 - 13

We have this phrase “fear and trembling” again. Notice how here it is preceded in verses 6 - 11 by what Jesus has done, and followed in verse 13, by what God is doing.

It is vital we see this. What Jesus has done motivates us to live for God. As we do that, as we give our all to Him, God is the one who is at work bringing change and giving us true life and freedom.

If we read on in this chapter verses 14 - 15 give us some practical tips for living for God when the world around us doesn’t.

So, when we see Jesus as the final King in the line of David we recognise the one who has ultimate authority. When we see Jesus in the New Testament we see He is a servant King, a rescuing King who gave HImself for us. As we acknowledge this and dwell on it we should be filled with gratitude, worship, and awe. Our response, then, is to live for Him and with His help we can do just that.