Expository Notes: Psalm 2

What is the structure of this psalm?

-The nations rage against the Lord and His anointed (1-3)
-The Lord in heaven holds them in derision and wrath (4-6)
-The Son proclaims the decree of His anointing and inheritance (7-9)
-Advice is given to the kings to yield obedience to the Lord’s anointed (10-12)

1) The nations rage against the Lord and His anointed (1-3)

-Who is in opposition to God here?

-The nations, the people

-All kinds of people are against God

-The rulers of the people

-Those in power are often the most hard-hearted
-It is often not the great people who are chosen (1 Cor. 1:26-29)

-Why are they raging?

-They believe that bonds have been placed on them

-The freedom of Christ is as bondage to those who cannot see the kingdom of God (2 Cor. 1:22-25; Romans 9:32; John 3:3-5)

2) The Lord in heaven holds them in derision and wrath (4-6)

-What is God the Father’s response to man’s “vain thing”?

-He laughs!

-He doesn’t even bother to rise up against them in battle, for He knows the futility of their reaction against His holy Anointed One!

-He speaks!

-His words alone are completely effective, bringing distress even to those who do not trust in Him!

-He declares!

-What are the effective words that God speaks to the nations, words which bring distress to them? He has anointed His Son in Zion!
-“yet”

-The ways of man, rage and plotting, are no match for God’s providential power.
-“In spite of your plans, I have set My King on My holy hill!”

-Man’s plotting against God and His anointed is a vain thing (vs. 1)

3) The Son proclaims the decree of His anointing and inheritance (7-9)

-What is the Christ’s first decree to the rebellious nations?

-He is God’s Son!
-Jesus does not begin with the declaration of His inevitable victory over evil, but with a declaration which may be even more powerful: the One who has been sent by the LORD of the earth is His own Son, the only One begotten of YHWH!

-His mission shall certainly not fall short of its goal, for God sends Himself, His own divine nature, to fulfill His will of an atoning sacrifice.

-What is the power that Christ brings with Him, in the name of the Father?

-He needs but ask of the Father, and all will be given to Him.

-The power of God is in the very One who lives always to intercede for us (Hebrews 7:25).

-This is a great encouragement to us, for we find therein our assurance.

-For the believer, even the times of our temporary rebellion are providentially ordained (Luke 22:31-32).
-Jesus has already prayed:

-that we might be part of the holy communion of the saints (John 17:20-23)
-that we might be sanctified (John 17:17, 19)
-that we might be protected from sin (John 17:15)
-that we might receive Christ’s glory (John 17:22)
-that we might give Christ glory in heaven (John 17:24)

-Why does Christ possess the Father’s anointing power in this way?

-Because, in Him, the Father is well pleased (Matt. 3:17; Mark 1:11; Luke 3:22)

-What is the inheritance that is given to Christ when He asks the Father?

-The nations, the ends of the earth

-Christ is not only given all glory, but all things, even the very enemy nations which rebel against His reign.

-What will Christ do with His eternal inheritance?

-For those who have been given to Christ by the Father (John 17:2, 6, 9, 11, 12, 24), it is sure that they will be called, justified, sanctified, and glorified (John 17; also Romans 8:30).
-For those who are against the Anontined One, they will be broken with a rod of iron, and dashed to pieces likes a potter’s vessel.

-Why are they to be broken?
-God’s wrath against sin must be displayed in order to show His glory in merciful salvation.

-“That He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory.” (Romans 9:23)

4) Advice is given to the kings to yield obedience to the Lord’s anointed (10-12)

-How is the advice to be received?

-It is to be received as wisdom from God.

-It is wise to receive instruction and advice… especially when it leads to a soul’s salvation!

-When is the advice to be heeded?

-Now therefore, be wise! Not later!
-The chosen Messiah is no fool, and will not be taken for one. He will come on His own terms, in His own timing (Matt. 24:36-44). Waiting is not a reliable option for he who is still relying upon his own filthy rags of righteousness (Isaiah 64:6)! If you don't come to the Cross now... you might never come.

-What is the advice given by Christ?

-The earth is called to serve the Lord, and rejoice, with fear and trembling.
-For those who do serve God, they are called to rejoice!

-Contemplating our eternal destination is scary business, but for those who have been purchased by the blood of the Anointed Lamb, they have great reason to rejoice in their security!
-But we cannot forget the nature of the grace which has been given as a gift:

-“Fear, without joy, is torment; and joy, without holy fear, would be presumption.” (Charles Spurgeon)

-Why is the advice given?

-Be sure of this one thing: the wages of sin is surely death (Romans 6:23), and all those who will spend eternity apart from God receive a just sentence.

-Of anything that can strike fear and trembling into the heart of man, I can think of nothing greater than this truth.

-Who obeys this advice, and what will happen to them?

-Those who put their trust in Christ will have reason to rejoice!
-These will be blessed eternally!

-The true righteousness of the Son, imputed to us, is the greatest blessing that can ever be!