Psalms 2 – Jehovah’s Anointed

In the second Psalm there is a thrilling prophecy concerning the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ. A topical consideration of these dozen verses might fall as follows.

The rebellion of mankind is vividly described(vv 1-3). The nations are enraged that Jehovah and His anointed (Christ) asserted authority over them. (Notice that a distinction is made between Jehovah and His anointed; they are not the same Person, as alleged by the Oneness Pentecostal sect.)

“Why do the nations rage, And the peoples meditate a vain thing?The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against Jehovah, and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their bonds asunder, And cast away their cords from us.”

These rebels vow to break the bonds that bind them to Deity.

To that arrogance, Jehovah responds. It is a laughable thing for man to think he can simply declare independence from divine sovereignty. This disobedience will be judged (vv. 4-6).

“He that sitteth in the heavens will laugh: The Lord will have them in derision.Then will he speak unto them in his wrath, And vex them in his sore displeasure:Yet I have set my king Upon my holy hill of Zion.”

God is merciful, however, and so the writer reveals a provision for human redemption. The answer lies in the fact that the Father will send His Son into the world. The mission of the Christ will save those who respond to the divine plan of redemption; enemies will be broken into pieces.

“I will tell of the decree: Jehovah said unto me, Thou art my son; This day have I begotten thee.Ask of me, and I will give thee the nations 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” (vv. 6-9).

The clause, “You are my Son, this day have I begotten you,” is quoted in the New Testament and applied to Jesus. It has multiple applications. It is used of Christ’s incarnation (Hebrews 1:5), of His resurrection from the dead (Acts 13:33), and of His priesthood (Hebrews 5:5).

With this in view, those who would be wise are urged to listen to divine instruction regarding salvation through Christ. Men must be favorably disposed to the Son of God, or else Heaven’s wrath will soon descend upon them (vv. 10-12).

“Now therefore be wise, O ye kings: Be instructed, ye judges of the earth.Serve Jehovah with fear, And rejoice with trembling.Kiss the son, lest he be angry, and ye perish in the way, For his wrath will soon be kindled. Blessed are all they that take refuge in him.”

In the margin of your Bible, bracket off these four sections and label them as follows:

1. Man’s rebellion (vv. 1-3)
2. God’s reply (vv. 4-6)
3. The divine plan (vv. 7-9)
4. Admonition (10-12).

This is the gospel in miniature. Note also the use of the term “soon” in verse 12. Time, in Bible prophecy, is a very relative thing.