Psalm 2 - A Psalm for All Times - A Meditation

I do not want to "give away" this Sunday's sermon, but given the times we are in, and the times Israel was in when this Psalm was written, I don't think it can be read, contemplated, and prayed about too many times.

Psalm 2

Contemporary English Version (CEV)

Psalm 2

The LORD's Chosen King

 ¹Why do the nations plot, ^[a] and why do their people

   make useless plans? ^[b] 2The kings of this earth

   have all joined together

   to turn against the LORD

   and his chosen one.

    ³They say, "Let's cut the ropes

   and set ourselves free!"

Nations and humanity have largely put God into a box.  God is "appropriate" sometimes, but not when it's inconvenient.  God, however does not see it this way.  Nations strive for power, resources, political influence, but in the majority of cases, these are selfish pursuits, not for the betterment of society.

The same can be said of some revolutionary movements.  While the intentions may be understandable and even commendable (getting rid of oppression, working for self-determination, calling out evil), they will ultimately crumble if God is not at the center and the guide of these movements.

    ⁴In heaven the LORD laughs

   as he sits on his throne,

   making fun of the nations.

Humans thing that God can be "outsmarted."  Humans think that God can be controlled or ignored.  At all of this, God laughs.  Picture that in the best way you can.  It has to make you smile if you are on God's side.

    ⁵The LORD becomes furious

   and threatens them.

   His anger terrifies them

   as he says,

    ⁶"I've put my king on Zion,

   my sacred hill."

    ⁷I will tell the promise

   that the LORD made to me:

   "You are my son, because today

   I have become your father.

    ⁸Ask me for the nations,

   and every nation on earth

   will belong to you.

Jewish readers say the "son" referenced is Israel, Christians say the "son" is Jesus.  Both are right.  Israel was to be a light to the nations and a witness to the one true God.  As Jesus came from Israel, this is one way (and the main way) that God has been revealed to humanity.  This is NOT to take away from Israelite/Jewish influence on our understandings of God and God's power.  The fact that the Jewish people have stayed in existence for thousands of years despite several violent oppressions and genocides attests to the power of God and is a witness to God from which we can all learn.

    ⁹You will smash them

   with an iron rod

   and shatter them

   like dishes of clay."

This vivid imagery tells the truth of God's power.  Nations are no match to God.  While nations and governments are imperfect reflections of God's desires for justice, they rise and fall upon God's will.

    ¹⁰Be smart, all you rulers,

   and pay close attention.

    ¹¹Serve and honor the LORD;

   be glad and tremble.

    ¹²Show respect to his son

   because if you don't,

   the LORD might become furious

   and suddenly destroy you. ^[c] But he blesses and protects

   everyone who runs to him.

In order for a nation to survive and prosper, it must give reverence to God.  It must serve God's purposes.  It is the duty of all citizens...not just governments to carry out this call.  When nations go astray, it is the duty of citizens to call the nation back to a right relationship with God.

This is not to say that God demands a theocracy.  Theocracies are most often tainted by human interpretation of God's will.  Human interpretation will always be flawed, but by putting God's commands and God's love at the center of our decisions, our nations can be blessed.

   

Footnotes:

1. Psalm 2:1 Why. . . plot: Or " Why are the nations restless?"
2. Psalm 2:1 make useless plans: Or " grumble uselessly."
3. Psalm 2:12 Serve. . . you: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of verses 11,12.