So often we during this season we think of the Messiah as a small baby born many years ago. Often this is the only glimpse of the Messiah that many people get. They think of a baby sleeping peacefully in Mary’s lap. People dote over this baby in a manger perhaps because He poses no threat to them. A baby doesn’t compel obedience. A baby doesn’t cause one to bow before Him. Yet in all this they fail to recognize that this helpless baby was Creator of the universe by virtue of His work, and Lord of the universe by the eternal decree of the Father.
In this Psalm, David declares the Messiah who was both the Lord and a man. He describes this one who was born as a baby and yet was Lord from all eternity. There are three distinct sections to this Psalm as David portrays the Messiah in the strength of His might and not as a baby in the night.
I. The Rage against the Messiah (vv. 1-4)
In the first section of material, verses 1-4 describe the rage against the Messiah. There are many examples of this rage against the Messiah. In Matthew 2, we see Herod who, in hearing of the birth of the Messiah, seeks to destroy Him. His desire to destroy Him carries Herod as far as killing all the children in the village of Bethlehem. He was the first government official to try and remove the manger scene from a public place.
But also in the gospels we have the ruling body of the Jews seeking to stop Jesus from being proclaimed as the Messiah. Like Herod they too were concerned about their own position. In John 11:48, they said, “If we let Him go on like this, all men will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.”
But David in this portion of Psalm 2 describes three truths about the rage against the Messiah.
A. The rage against the Messiah is directed against both the Lord and the Messiah
The first truth that David describes about the rage against the Messiah is that it is directed against both the Lord and the Messiah. King David even equates the Lord and the Messiah as if they were one person. Why do I say that? Because of Hebrew parallelism. Let’s look at the parallelism that he uses in verses 1-4. The Hebrew parallelism that he uses describes the same thing through the use of repetition. This is called synthetic parallelism. Look at verse 1. “The nations are in an uproar.” The peoples are devising a vain thing.” He uses two different words (nations and peoples) to describe the same thing. Nations and peoples are synonymous. Look at verse 2. “The kings of the earth take their stand.” “The rulers take counsel together.” Again, kings and rulers are two different words to describe the same thing (national leaders). Look at verse 3. “Let us tear their fetters apart.” “Let us cast away their cords from us.” These two sentences are saying the same thing in a different way. In verse 4, God is described in two different ways. God is described first as “He who sits in heaven” then He is described as “the LORD.”
So from those examples it is easy to see that when verse 2 says that the leaders take counsel against the Lord and His anointed (His Messiah) that we are talking about the same individual. In other words, the Messiah is the LORD. And the rage of the nations and world leaders are directed against both the Lord and the Messiah. We see that Jesus describes this rage against Himself and the Father in the same way. In John 15:23, He says, “He who hates me hates my Father also” and in Luke 10:16, Jesus says, “He who rejects me rejects the one who sent me.” This is the point that King David makes here in Psalm 2. Anyone who rages against the Messiah is raging against the Lord and they are one and the same.
We see this rage against the Messiah today. Tolerance is touted as the way today. And people are tolerant of most anything unless you are talking about a Messiah who declares that He is the way, the truth and the life. Some, like Herod seek to do away with the manger. Others, content with a baby in a manger desire to keep His influence out of life as the King of Creation. They don’t want God “monkeying” around with their theories that put Him out of the picture. So why do people rage against a Messiah and God as portrayed in the Scripture? The psalmist mentions this next.
B. The rage against the Messiah is caused by a desire for self-rule
And in verse 3, we see the second truth that David describes about the rage against the Messiah that it is caused by a desire for self-rule. What is it that these people declare? “Let us tear their fetters apart, and cast away their cords from us!” They desire to do their own thing. They don’t want God telling them what to do. They don’t want to be reminded that they will have to give account of their actions before God. They attempt to say that God’s Word is up for negotiation and will say things like, “Well, that’s your interpretation.” Most of the time the things that they want interpreted need no interpretation. They are simply missing the application. Mark Twain once said that it wasn’t the things in the Bible that he couldn’t understand that gave him trouble but the things that he could understand. These nations and rulers have a desire for self-rule. They do not want to humble themselves before anyone not even God and will make up any kind of excuse to free them from humbling themselves before God. Back in the 80’s I was on a mission’s trip during spring break in Savannah, Georgia. As I was passing out tracts to some gentlemen, one of them asked, “But what about Jimmy Baker?” speaking of the televangelist scandal of which Baker was a part. He thought that because Jimmy Baker was a hypocrite that God wouldn’t judge this man. I told him, “When you stand before God, God will not ask you about Jimmy Baker but about what you did with Jesus Christ.” Whatever excuse people use to exonerate themselves from their responsibility before God will not hold water in the court of heaven.
People’s ultimate motive for raging against the Messiah is so that they might rule themselves. Don’t tie me down to God. Some people might even say, “A little religion is nice, but don’t ask me to change the way I live or bow my will to God. I’ll do it my way. I’ll come to church when I feel like it so I can get a lift and feel good but don’t expect me to actually center my life around God.” These are people who still have their lives centered on themselves and self-rule is the norm. They will not have the Messiah rule their lives. I’ll come hear about that baby in the manger if I can just remain a stranger.
C. The rage against the Messiah is despised by the Lord because of its impotence.
In verse 4, we see the third truth that David describes about the rage against the Messiah that it is despised by the Lord because of its impotence. The Lord laughs and scoffs at their rage against Him because it lacks power. Their raging is like that of a mouse against a roaring lion. God’s plans will not be thwarted because of the raging of mere mortals. Everything that the Lord had designed for the Messiah will come to pass just as He said. And so he is able to laugh. These self declared potentates may rage against God but they have no authority apart from God and therefore cannot overcome all that He says will come to pass. Their raging is as futile as a little child attempting to assault a man. Some time ago my son thought that he would attack me in all the fury of his little knighthood. And charging at me, perhaps with shield and sword, I stretched out my arm and stopped him in his tracks. His attack was unable to come any closer. So he backed up and came at me again. Again I put forth my hand and when my outstretched hand met his chest he was waylaid. He tried this several more times each ending in defeat for my little boy and I had to laugh to myself. Though he thought himself so strong and bold yet he was no match for my outstretched hand. God in the same way sees these little men running around seeking to accost God’s plan and He merely waves his hand and their threatenings are batted away. What can the Lord do but laugh at such an impotent pompous display?
2. The Righteous Decree for the Messiah (vv. 5-9)
In the second section of this message, we see the righteous decree for the Messiah. In verses 5-9, we have what God says about His Messiah. God makes an important declaration here concerning the Messiah. And David gives us three characteristics concerning this decree that are clearly visible in these verses.
A. The surety of the decree (v. 6)
The first characteristic of this decree concerning the Messiah that we see is the surety of the decree. We find this in verse 6. The Lord says, “But as for Me, I have installed My king upon Zion, My holy mountain.” It is already done. The Messiah, according to the Lord’s decree is already installed as king. Although it hasn’t taken place in history yet, God sees it as having already taken place. God uses a past tense verb making known the surety of this decree. It will take place. Let the nations rage, this will not fail. As with all of God’s promises this is certain. And in the same way that we can trust all of God’s Word, we can trust and see along with God that the Messiah will, one day, reign in Jerusalem, Zion, God’s holy mountain. This decree is sure.
B. The special relationship of the decree (v. 7)
The second characteristic of this decree concerning the Messiah that we see is the special relationship of the decree. We see this in verse 7. “I will surely tell of the decree of the LORD: He said to Me, “You are my Son, today I have begotten You.”
Here God notes the special Father/Son relationship between the Messiah and Himself. Now this phraseology that the Lord uses here is not saying that the Father created Jesus, the Father/Son terminology was used in the ancient world as a special relationship between two kings where one king would rule a region for another king. So the Father/Son description used to describe God the Father and Jesus the Son is a term regarding their ruling together. God the Father will rule in heaven, what Jesus the Messiah will rule on earth.
So we can see that the term has nothing to do with their existence, as if the Father created the Son, but only that the Father created this ruling relationship. It was a decree that was made to establish such a relationship between heaven and earth. The Bible history is a story of God’s desire to set up a personal visible rule of Himself upon the earth. And the culmination of all earth’s history will point to that event of God setting up His throne here. This Father/Son relationship is the special way in which God has ordained to bring this to pass.
C. The strength of the decree
The third characteristic of this decree concerning the Messiah is the strength of the decree. We see this in verses 8 & 9. “Ask of Me,” says the Lord, “and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance and the very ends of the earth as Your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron, You shall shatter them like earthenware.” And there are two aspects to the strength of this decree.
1. universal in scope
The first aspect of the strength of this decree is that it is universal in scope. He says the nations will be the inheritance of the Messiah and the ends of the earth will be his possession. Nothing will escape from under the authority of the Messiah. There will be no deserted island upon which people will live apart from the influence of the Messiah. There will be no authority raised up against Him. He will be the ultimate authority in the world and all will be subject to Him. Finally, there will be peace on the earth. The Scripture says that at this time (and not before then) there will no longer be any war. Isaiah 2:4 makes it clear, “And they will hammer their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, and never again will they learn war.” World War I was the war to end all wars. However, the League of Nations could not prevent war. Certainly no one would desire war again after the shocking chill of World War II. Behold, the United Nations will bring an end to all war and usher in an age of peace. Some peace!!! Not until the Messiah comes will war end. And why will war end? Because the second aspect of the strength of this decree is that the Messiah will be unlimited in power.
2. unlimited in power
He will be unlimited in power! He will break His enemies with a rod of iron, He shall shatter them like cheap pottery. And when all God’s enemies have been subdued under His feet, there will be peace. War will never be able to raise its ugly head again. Any sign of rebellion will be squashed before it is risen. And those who have loved Messiah’s coming will rejoice in a reign of peace never paralleled in human history. There was the Pax Romana but even Rome experienced war and finally defeat. But here because of the Messiah’s unlimited power, there will be no defeat. There will be no fear. There will be nothing to disturb the victory of God over evil.
3. The Repentance toward the Messiah (vv. 10-12)
So we have looked at the rage against the Messiah, the righteous decree for the Messiah and now let’s focus finally on the repentance toward the Messiah. In concluding this Psalm, David brings us to the necessity for the repentance of all people. Because it is a sure thing that the Messiah will rule, because it is sure that God will be victorious and those who oppose will fall then all people must repent. Verses 10-12 describe this repentance. Here is the warning to repent and change their minds concerning the Messiah. And we can see in these verses that their repentance is marked by:
A. Thoughtful caution
First, thoughtful caution. “O kings, show discernment; take warning, O judges of the earth.” The words “show discernment” and “take warning” describe a thoughtful caution that is characteristic of repentance. Repentance means a change of mind. It is a decision of the will that acknowledges one’s wrong. These rulers had raged against the Messiah and King David is calling them to repent concerning that attitude of rebellion against Him. God calls every person to come to a place of repentance concerning the Messiah. Jesus said in Luke 13, “Except you repent you shall all likewise perish.” Every person has in their mind that they can do without the Messiah. But in order to receive eternal life they must repent concerning their self-sufficiency. They must acknowledge their need of the Messiah and call out to Him to save them. This is repentance. And faith (or trust) in the Messiah leads a person to this repentance whereby they cry out to God to deliver them from their sin through the Messiah.
This is the repentance that David is saying must take place in order for these kings to avoid certain punishment. It is the same repentance that must take place in each one of us in order to avoid eternal punishment in hell. I say with all the authority of the Scripture that if you haven’t repented concerning the Messiah and called out to Him to save you then you are still destined for that punishment.
B. Awesome worship
But secondly, their repentance is marked by awesome worship. Verse 11 describes this. “Worship the LORD with reverence, and rejoice with trembling.” The words to describe this praise to the Father and His Messiah, worship with fear, rejoice with trembling conjures up a startling yet appropriate mixture of emotions in light of being in the presence of so great a king.
When we truly recognize the power and greatness and holiness of God our worship of Him will be filled with the truly awesome characteristics of great joy and reverence at being in the presence of the One who knows everything about us.
Sometimes we can brace ourselves for a meeting with a great person. There is a measure of excitement in it but also great trepidation. Yet perhaps we throw off some of that fear by moving our thoughts away from the awesome greatness of that person. I remember meeting our current president’s father back in the late 80’s. When I shook his hand I was thrilled. There was a certain fearfulness in meeting someone so powerful but I was prepared for it. But what if your doorbell rang and upon opening the door you see the President of the United States standing there? Having thought on that very image this week, I think my legs would lose their strength and I would fall down in front of Him.
Can you picture yourself in this way standing before God, who is greater than any mere mortal potentate? When true repentance grips our soul and we see ourselves before God as He sees us and we see Him as He is we ought to tremble with fear because of His greatness. And we ought to worship with rejoicing because He has allowed into His presence. Jesus our King is here today. Jesus said that where two or more are gathered in His name there He is in their midst. Can you sense His awesome presence? Can you participate in reverent worship? Are you hushed in this holy time? And are you jubilant in thanks at His presence? Don’t forget why you are here? Don’t forget why we gather together. It is not to joke and cut up, it’s not to be entertained, it’s to worship in the presence of God. And even more so if you are a Christian, His presence goes with you and you should experience the same reverent and joyful worship wherever you are. This is why we ought to be living in light of the fact that He dwells in us. It ought to cause us to have joyful, reverent worship.
C. Happy Deliverance
Third, their repentance is marked by happy deliverance. The end of verse 12 says, “How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!” Those who have trusted Jesus now may suffer some temporary pain at the hands of those who hate Jesus. But Jesus said, “Blessed are you when men persecute you and revile you and speak all kinds of evil against you falsely for my sake. For great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” You may see some temporary suffering but Paul says it is not to be compared with the glory that we shall meet in heaven.
The Scripture says that those who trust in the Son shall never be disappointed. When we go through difficulties and learn to find the solution to those problems God’s way through God’s Word we will never be disappointed. Sometimes God allows us to come to the edge of disappointment to see if we will truly trust Him or if we will back away at the last moment (like Abraham) but if we follow Him fully, how blessed will our refuge be.
We must recognize that there is happy deliverance in trusting and obeying God. Why can we be joyful as servants of the Messiah? We can rejoice because we are not getting what we deserve (which is eternal punishment) and we’re getting what we don’t deserve (which is heaven). Whenever your heart is troubled meditate on these truths again. And give thanks for the deliverance that He has provided.
But note the warning to those who have not repented. The beginning of verse 12 says to kiss the son in worship, lest He become angry and you perish in the way, for His wrath may soon be kindled.” Don’t think that you shall escape unless you too repent.
The N.I.V. reads, “For His wrath can flare up in a moment.” This best describes the urgency of the warning. You as an unbeliever have no guarantee as to when God will pour out His wrath against you. And right now He is waiting only because He is merciful as 2 Peter 3:9 says, “He is not slow concerning His promise as some men consider slowness, but He is patient toward us not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” You who have not yet received Christ as Savior are only here because God, in His mercy, has allowed you to live. Let me urge you who are in this condition, before His wrath is soon kindled that you come to the Son and call out to Him to save you. For once His wrath is kindled it is too late.
So what have we learned this morning? O believer in the Messiah, we will see a great day dawning when Jesus Christ will reign upon the earth in Zion, God’s Holy Mountain. We can remember that though others may rage against us and against Christ, we can smile and rejoice in that great is our reward in heaven.
But you who have not come to Christ, call out to Him before His wrath is kindled but a little. For when you realize just what it means to be condemned, it will be too late.