Unbelief is a sin against the remedy. Kings should act prudently and with discretion. But what are they conspiring to do here in Psalm 2? These enemies can show no good cause for opposing so just and holy a government, which, if received by all, would bring a heaven upon earth. And finally he speaks. Psalms 55:2 Attend unto me, and hear me: I mourn in my complaint, and make a noise;. But it’s vain to try to get away from the God who holds your very life in his hands. And the rulers – this same group – are taking counsel together. "The violence of the world, brought on by the hubris of the nations, will continue. And yet, everyone is up-in-arms about them solely living in that land. But that’s not the end of his reaction to this rebellion. Psalm 2:1, NASB: "Why are the nations in an uproar And the peoples devising a vain thing?" It reminds me of the book of Revelation where Christ comes back on a white horse. What Psalm 2 means. This is nothing new to our day and age. The accusations of oppression. Which seems rather neutral of a term. Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts. He tells us there that Herod … Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary 2:1-6 We are here told who would appear as adversaries to Christ. What happens when you gather wealth by labor according to Proverbs 13 11? But the rulers of the earth generally have been most active. That’s verses 10 through 12. External Opposition to God’s Work and the Response of God’s People in Nehemiah 2. They’re meditating and scheming. Jesus may surely have used Psalm 1 and 2 as an outline in Matthew 5-7, esp. And later on we’ll briefly explore those passages that speak of Christ from Psalm 2. They’re setting their mind to something. So, that’s what I’ll entitle this message. And it really won’t take too much. The kings of the earth prepare for battle; the rulers plot together against the LORD and against his anointed one. To draw near to the Davidic king and to submit themselves to him – just like all of Egypt did to Joseph, except for Pharaoh of course. And we can only assume that their purpose is evil. Isn’t that the way that lost people tend to view God’s rules? But when he does, what a day that will be! Ask, verses 8-11. It’s talking about one of their descendants, according to the flesh. Psalm 24 Commentary Verse 9. Their rebellion won’t do that. And God counsels them to “be instructed” or to “be warned” or “take advice” or “listen to reason”. Like many psalms, the theme of Psalm 2 is emphasized in the final verse. 1 Why do the nations protest. I’m so thankful to hear of the extended reach of this message. More Devotions on Psalm 2 Rage: Psalm 2:1-4 My King: Psalm 2:5-7 Ask: Psalm 2:8-11 Kiss the Son: Psalm 2:12. Let’s look at verse 1. Who are these raging people? The structure of Psalm 2 is made of three parts. The judges – or the ones who are supposed to administer justice in a society – are also addressed. And finally we have the last section in verses 10 through 12. Psalm 2 provides critical background for understanding both what it means and what it meant to recognize Jesus as messiah (i.e., the Christ) and Lord. The word “imagine” is one that you’ve seen before in the psalms. But actually, Peter in Acts chapter 4 and verse 25 reveals that it was in fact David who wrote this psalm. You the man and why is this hard to find????? That’s where God promised Joshua that no one would be able to STAND before him – there’s that word. Verses 1 through 3 tell us about this near-universal rejection of the Lord and the king whom he’s anointed to rule his nation Israel – the Davidic ruler. That’s the closeness of God’s relationship with David. Psalm 2 - Why are the nations so angry? And his inheritance as such a subject includes being given these raging heathen and even the ends of the earth as his possession, if he but asks for them. And every single one of us deserves his mocking and scorn. That’s the word behind “set” in verse 2. They’re plotting and scheming and hatching something in their minds. And he does so through his anointed Davidic king. Well, world-wide anger towards God and his national representative, Israel, is not something new. You did know it was an election for ISRAEL’S Prime Minister, didn’t you? KJV Psalm 2:10 Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. Why? And so they’d make attempts to rebel against the Davidic king and throw off his rule from over them. What is it like to submit to God’s rule? Now, the NET Bible has a helpful note on this matter as well. He laughs. Well, what is the object of their meditation? The kingdom of the Messiah is founded upon an eternal decree of God the Father. Last thing we’ll consider before we work at explaining this psalm is the implied situation. It’s blessed – Blessed are all they that put their trust in him. Not all of it, I think. Acts 4:24–26 in the New Testament attributes it to David. and princes plot together. There’s widespread rebellion against this king. Now, based on that pretty forceful response from the Lord, what are these rebellious nations to do? I found your commentary easy reading and useful for a study I am doing for a Life Group discussion. Again, these may be the same people as the ones identified as “kings”. We know that God is love. Thank You that He took the punishment for our sins, so that by faith in Him, we also might be adopted into Your family and become sons of the living God. Now, this may sound a little strange to us. Non-Jewish people. Verse 2. There are numerous psalms which had immediate reference to David but have their ultimate fulfillment in David’s son, Jesus Christ. In others words, they’re plotting and scheming and yet all of that activity is just useless. Praise the Lord. Such gifts usually took the form of land and/or an enduring dynasty.”. But, what’s their plan? Lamah rageshu goyim - Why do the nations (goyim) rage? I wish I had the time to explore how the New Testament uses the Old. Then we see repetition in verses 9 and 10 that mirrors verses 7 and 8. To begin, we’re directed to think about the “kings of the earth.” Their identity is pretty obvious. Let him be very dear and precious; love him above all, love him in sincerity, love him much, as she did, to whom much was forgiven, and, in token of it, kissed his feet, Luke 7:38. And therefore – submit to that rule. But he is angry at them. That’s what that word “vex” means. All Rights Reserved. Christ is the way; take heed lest ye be cut off from Him as your way to God. Psalm 2:11 "Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling." So, the non-Jewish nations and the kings who rule over them are gathering together. They would break asunder the bands of conscience, and the cords of God's commandments; they will not receive, but cast them away as far as they can. This passage is without any doubt whatever a reference to Almighty God … 6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. It announces God's sovereignty. And from his vantage point where he sees and knows everything perfectly, he takes an action that can seem a little odd to us. God will frighten them. Two “ethnic groups.”. So, that’s part two of three. John Trapp Complete Commentary. But he doesn’t, yet. It permeates all of the psalm. They’re simply world rulers. But can we also let him be as tough as he reveals himself to be? Heavenly Father, thank You that You purposed to redeem mankind, through the sacrifice of a Kinsman-Redeemer - and decreed that the eternal Son of God would be born into the human race as the perfect Son of Man. (2.) and the peoples conspire in vain? (10-12). 2:8. And it will be truly said then as it is now and has been forever – “Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.”. Well, what are these rulers up to? Every single time, it appears parallel to the word “kings”. So, that’s how God is pictured as directly communicating with the Gentile nations that oppose him and his Davidic king – verses 4 through 6. Well, the concept of anointing is basically having oil poured on you. They’re conspiring. At any rate, it’s a royal psalm. What is the alternative to “wealth gotten by vanity” in Proverbs 13 11. And remember the title of the message? Verse 5. The rage of nations and the laugh of God. And – you know – the animosity of evil people so often is not directed at God alone. But his speech is not gentle and peaceful – not to these hardened enemies of his. They’re “resisting”! But most of it. And he’s coming to rescue Israel from their assailants. It says, “The idiom reflects ancient Near Eastern adoption language associated with covenants of grant, by which a lord would reward a faithful subject by elevating him to special status, referred to as "sonship." Blessed are all they that put their trust in him. Most Psalms begin with a brief introductory phrase such as: "To the chief musician," "A song of David," etc., but Psalm 2 begins with the words, "Why do the nations rage?" Yeah, the clay vessel loses. That’s the first section. Matthew Henry’s Bible Commentary (concise), Matthew Henry Bible Commentary (complete), California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. These people are resisting and conspiring against none other than the Lord God of Hosts! wow thanks much . Hebrews 1:5 and 5:5 make it clear that God made the statement in Psalm 2:7 – “thou art my son, today have I begotten thee” – to Christ, the ultimate Davidic king. That is, no one would be able to RESIST Joshua. The kings of the earth rise upand the rulers band togetheragainst the Lord and against his anointed, sayin I believe this is talking about Jesus, not David. And so that’s the last section of this psalm. The idea is that as someone gets angry, sometimes his nostrils will flare and perhaps even get a little red. Psalm 2 begins with a question: “Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?” (verse 1). The threat is real. 2. Rather, flee to him and find protection and safety and blessing. Required fields are marked *. They want to break the bands of David and his God. Isn’t that the way your own flesh feels about them? 7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure. Kings rule. Kiss the Son, verse 12. 7:13,21-23,26-27. You can’t beat that kind of army. 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