Psalms 2:1-12: a reflection

1Why do the nations rage, and the peoples plot a vain thing? 2The kings of the earth take a stand, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his Anointed, saying, 3“Let’s break their bonds apart, and cast their cords from us.” 4He who sits in the heavens will laugh. The Lord will have them in derision. 5Then he will speak to them in his anger, and terrify them in his wrath: 6“Yet I have set my King on my holy hill of Zion.” 7I will tell of the decree: The LORD said to me, “You are my son. Today I have become your father. 8Ask of me, and I will give the nations for your inheritance, the uttermost parts of the earth for your possession. 9You shall break them with a rod of iron. You shall dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.” 10Now therefore be wise, you kings. Be instructed, you judges of the earth. 11Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. 12Give sincere homage to the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish on the way, for his wrath will soon be kindled. Blessed are all those who take refuge in him.

Psalm 2 opens with a picture of the world's rulers in defiant rebellion against God: Why do the nations rage, and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves against the LORD and his Anointed, saying, Let us break their bonds and cast away their cords. They imagine they can throw off God's rule, be free of his authority, rage their way to independence. And God's response is startling: He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision.

Notice both the rebellion and the response. The nations rage and plot, kings scheme, all against God and his Anointed, imagining themselves a real threat to his rule. And God, unthreatened, laughs, not cruelly, but at the sheer futility of it. Their rebellion is vain; it cannot succeed. For, God declares, I have set my King on Zion. His reign is not in doubt; his King is established; the raging of the nations changes nothing. Against all the world's defiance, God's rule stands secure.

And the psalm turns that into an invitation and a warning: Now therefore, O kings, be wise; serve the LORD with fear; kiss the Son, take refuge in him; and, blessed are all who take refuge in him. The wise response to God's unshakable reign is not to rage against it but to submit to and take refuge in his Anointed, his Son. When the world seems to rage against God and his ways, do not be shaken; his reign is secure, and its rebellion is vain. And for yourself, do not join the raging; take refuge in the Son, and be among the blessed who shelter in him.

Lord, the nations rage and the rulers plot against you, and you who sit in the heavens laugh, for your King is established and their rebellion is vain. When the world seems to rage against you and your ways, keep me from being shaken; your reign is secure. And keep me from joining the raging. Help me be wise, to submit to and take refuge in your Son, and to be among the blessed who shelter in him. Your kingdom stands; I take refuge in you.