Key Takeaway
In the midst of chaos and suffering, we can be calm, confident, and compassionate because we know the end of the story. Jesus is reigning and will reign forever, so we do not need to fear what we are coming up against.
The book of Psalms was written during the time of the Old Testament, but it remained the songbook of the New Testament as well. The early Church engaged with and clung to these Psalms. They especially gravitated to Psalm 2, which is quoted often. Every song is a reaction to something. This song is a response to feeling out of control.
In the original context, it gave hope in instability. Psalm 2 is a coronation psalm. It would be sung when a new king was installed, which is a vulnerable transition moment. The nations around them attacked them rather than seeking peace. Israel was meant to love God and love people, but the people in power in the other nations decided to cast off moral restraint. Power unbound by morality is disturbing and scary.
What do you do when everything around you is not only chaotic, but against you? Psalm 2:4 tells us to look past the kings of the earth and raise our eyes to the King of Heaven. You may feel powerless against them, but to God, they are no threat. The kings of earth do not scare the King of Heaven. What makes you tremble makes Him giggle.
God doesn’t like it when people are unjust. In Psalm 2:6, He establishes a King on the earth who will be over all kings. In verse 7, the new King says that He is the Son of God. Our God had proclaimed Himself to be like a Father to the nation and the King. The King was the heir of all of God’s authority. In Psalm 2:8-9, God says no one poses a threat to the one who has the power of God. The world may rage, but they had a King over all kings.
Why did this matter so much to the people of the New Testament? Because the fullness of Psalm 2 never really fully happened in the Old Testament. God told King David that one day, from his line, would come a King who would be on the throne forever, but David’s descendants moved further from God. The prophets spoke of an Anointed Messiah and King who would come, and they needed to wait for His arrival. Then Jesus came and inherited the throne of David and will rule forever, according to Luke 1:30-33.
That’s why the main message of Jesus was “repent, for the Kingdom of God is here.” How could He say that? Because He, the King, had arrived. God spoke from Heaven to affirm this multiple times. Romans 1:1-6 gives the history of all of this. Jesus was foretold about by the prophets, He came as a descendant of David in the flesh, but was proved to be the Son of God when He rose from the dead. So, here and in Acts 13, Paul is making clear that what was promised to their ancestors had been fulfilled in Jesus. He uses direct quotes when he says, “That is why it is written in the second psalm, ‘You are my son; today I have become your father.’”
They gravitated toward this psalm because in the midst of instability and fear, where they are powerless and hurting, God promised a king who would rule the nations, and they got to see Him, Jesus. So, why did they love this song so much? Because Jesus is the king to rule over all the nations.
Why do we care about it today?
It inspires calm. In Psalm 1:1, the psalmist asks why the nations rage in vain. That matters. It’s all in vain. They can rage, but it won’t accomplish anything. They can’t win because Jesus has already won. Throughout history, rulers have threatened to wipe out Christianity, but they are all gone, and Jesus still lives. It doesn’t mean life is easy, but it is a reason for calm.
We can be confident because we know no enemy alters our destiny. Life may be hard right now, but suffering doesn’t define our story. Ultimately, our King is victorious, and we’ll be ok. When we fix our eyes on Jesus, we don’t have to be scared anymore because our story ends in victory. He beat death, so you will too. Acts 4:23-31 is the reason we even know Jesus’ name today. They believed this so deeply that they were able to stand up and boldly proclaim the name of Jesus.
The truth of Psalm 2 also makes us compassionate. Psalm 2:10-12 doesn’t rejoice in the death of the enemy; it pleads with the enemy to repent and turn back to God. Judgment is coming, but these are the days of grace. The Christian can condemn evil and still pray for the redemption of the sinner. God will judge evil either in Hell or on the Cross.
No matter what you are coming against, you can rest and know that Jesus is greater than whatever you face. He came, lived, and died for us so that we could have eternal life with Him. There is nothing greater than that.
Discussion Questions
Ben said that every song is a reaction to something. Think of the songs that move you the most. Why do you gravitate to them?
What type of psalm is Psalm 2? When was it used? What was special about those moments of transition?
Read Psalm 2:1-3. What is happening to God's people?
What is God's answer to this problem in Psalm 2:4-6? How does this bring you hope and comfort? Does this change how you pray?
God doesn't mean that He had a son that very day in Psalm 2:7. Who was God acknowledging He is like a Father to in the Old Testament?
What does Psalm 2:8-9 tell us about the power of God? Is anything a threat to Him? What example does the psalmist give?
What was the early Church facing that made this psalm so important to them?
Read Luke 1:30-33. How does this fulfill everything that was promised to David in the Old Testament? What titles are given to Jesus in this passage?
How did Jesus prove to be the Son of God according to Romans 1:1-6?
Why do we care about Psalm 2 today? How does it inspire calm, give us confidence, and make us more compassionate?