Psalm 2

1Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?
2The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying,
3Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.
4He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the LORD shall have them in derision.
5Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.
6Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.
7I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.
8Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.
9Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.
10Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.
11Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
12Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

Key Verse:
4He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the LORD shall have them in derision.

Key Outline:
1. v. 1-3 Kings exerting their strength against the Lord
2. v. 4-5 God’s judgment
3. v. 6-9 The kingdom and rule of the Son
4. v. 10-12 Warning to kings and judges

Key Observation:
This Psalm is directed especially to the kings of the earth. As such it has applications all the way down through history. The rulers of this world are almost always opposed to their Creator. This Psalm stands as a stern warning to those leaders who would trust in themselves rather than their creator. Few and far between are those exceptions who stand out in history as leading nations and also following God. David was one such exception, of whom God himself declared, “I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart.”

Memory Verse:
10 Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.

Devotion:
In this psalm, near the beginning of all psalms, it addresses an unusual audience, the scope of which is enlarged to include all the rulers, or kings, of the earth. It is the first psalm with a direct Messianic reference—that is, it speaks of our Lord. And because we know the Christ who is promised, there is much to be gleaned when we see promises from God concerning His Son. This psalm has such a promise concerning His Son, and it should be the delight of the church to read.
But because of the Messianic references(“I have set my king on my holy hill”), I believe this psalm will have a special application to those kings opposing Christ at the time of his return. On that day all the effort they amass against the King from Zion shall amount to no more than a speck of dust being waved away from the Master’s eye. Some people doubt that God would ever intrude so openly and visibly, so poignantly and powerfully. But I remember something that John Wesley said: “God created the heavens and the earth and didn’t even half try.” The God who created the whole universe is not going to have any trouble at all with the worldly kings. On that day the words of this Psalm will stand as testimony against all their foolishness. On that day we in the church will be returning from heaven with Christ. We will see the end of the foolish kings who schemed against God, and heeded not this warning. “He that sitteth in heaven shall laugh; the LORD will have them in derision.”