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PSALM 2

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

 

 A Preacher in his Study

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LESSON 1, VERSE 1:

The very attitude portrayed in the first three verses of Psalm 2 is being illustrated in today's world.

For example, verse one asks: "Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?"

One preacher said this is an example of a group of ungodly nations! A "united nations" of rebellion!

The noun "heathen" is spelled "goy" in Hebrew and means the Gentiles or sometimes just the nations of the world. These people are not Jews.

The verb "rage" is translated from the Hebrew "ragash." It means "to be in a tumult or state of commotion." It at times can also mean "to conspire or plot" against someone. "Ragash" is used only this one time in Scripture.

The "people" or "leom" may just be another way of describing those ungodly masses depicted by the "heathen." It is not the general word for the Jewish people, the people of God. Once in Scripture "leom" is simply translated "folk." That one occurrence is in Jeremiah 51:58 where the rebels of Babylon are called "the folk in the fire!"

The verb "imagine" is used in Psalm 1 for "meditate." It literally means to speak under one's breath! To mutter or moan or even growl.

And a "vain" thing is that which is empty or idle or to no purpose.

Dear friends, that's exactly what's going on in the Middle East right now.

The Jew-hating people of the world are raging and ranting and roaring against the "chosen people" of God. And just in case someone takes issue with my terminology here, read Deuteronomy 7:6. There God says to Israel: "For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth."

Let the rebels fight all they will!

One of these days, God will stop them in their tracks!

Long live Israel!

David encouraged us to: "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee." Psalm 122:6

                                                                                     --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

 

LESSON 2, VERSE 2:

There's a conspiracy!

It's a world-wide conspiracy ... against the Lord!

"The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying ...." Psalm 2:2

In today's terminology "kings" ("melek" in Hebrew) would include Presidents, Prime Ministers, Premiers and other supreme governmental leaders.

These men "set" themselves against our great God. "Yatsab" means something like this: "to withstand" or "to station oneself." This is an act of sheer rebellion!

The parallel term "rulers" is a translation of "razan" in Hebrew and means a "prince" as well as a ruler. Maybe this has a distinctly Mid-eastern flavor! There certainly are a lot of nations there who hate the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

To "take counsel," the act these ruler commit, is "to establish or ordain or lay a foundation" for such wicked deeds. The Hebrew verb is spelled "yasad."

"Together" ("yachad") means in union or "all alike."

The preposition "against" translates "al" and means "over or above" as well as "against."

The two names or titles for God, "LORD" and "Anointed," refer to both God the Father and God the Son. LORD translates the Name Jehovah. The "Anointed" or "Messiah" is a term that in the New Testament is usually represented as "Christ" and identifies Jesus our Saviour.

In fact, Jesus is named by four titles in this short Psalm: The Anointed of verse 2, The King of verse 6, The Son of verse 7 and The Lord of verse 11.

These world leaders stand against God and all His Essence, being particularly against His Son Jesus Christ.

This "spirit" of opposition is already at work in the world today.

It is literally raging in the Middle East right now. The Western world is at war with God too.

But, a day is coming when this budding hatred for God will blossom and bear fruit! All nations of the world will gather at a place called Armageddon and fight against God, Jesus the Messiah, and even His chosen people Israel.

In Zechariah 14:2 God says: "For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle."

But God also says: "And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem."

Get ready!

The future path this lost reprobate earth is taking is not lovely!

It's undoubtedly leading to world war!

And the Victor is the Lord God Almighty!

                                                                                  --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

 

LESSON 3, VERSE 3:

The lost ungodly rebels of this age cry in unison: "Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us." Psalm 2:3

Their resolve is directed against the Lord and against His Anointed Son.

These people picture the Lord God's very existence as something that "binds" them!

They do not enjoy anyone being "over" them in authority or power, particularly the Almighty!

Nor do they care for God's moral nature being enforced upon their lives!

But, don't worry, they have a plan!

Here it is again, just in case you missed it earlier!

They say of the Triune God: "Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us." Psalm 2:3

The plural pronouns likely refer to the Godhead ... our One Lord Who manifests Himself in The Trinity!

The verb translated "break asunder" is a classic! It is spelled "nathaq" and means "to pull or tear or lift up or root out!" Furthermore, this is a Piel verb indicating intensive aggressive dramatic action! The "time sense" of the verb here is continuous too.

The noun "bands" is "moser" in Hebrew and means bonds or chains or at least restraints of some kind.

God has inhibited these folks. They are not comfortable around Him! The Lord "cramps" their lifestyles!

They fully intend to "cast away" all vestiges of His Being! This verb is "shalak" and means to throw, hurl or fling! To shed oneself of a nuisance!

Let's just say it. They hate God!

Then the verse's last noun is "cords." In Hebrew this is "aboth," meaning a rope or perhaps implying a line of small branches and vines woven together to form a string for tying something or someone!

In other words, God is not all that strong!

We can handle Him!

His laws are like mere threads when compared to man's awesome abilities!

After all, humanity has split the atom, prolonged life, traveled into the heavens, and so much more!

Well, such mockery and scorning quite accurately summarizes lost and rebellious mankind's attitude today.

But ... wait a minute!

What does God say?

That's tomorrow's Text, but here's a partial preview: "He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure." Psalm 2:4-5

Sounds to me like God gets the last word!

Remember John 3:36. "He that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him."

Or, "He that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." John 3:18

Yes, rebellion brings consequences! And this sinful world is going to learn that firsthand one of these days.

Amen!

                                                                                 --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

 

LESSON 4, VERSE 4:

The Lord laughing?

Yes!

According to Psalm 2:4 some day the God of the universe will actually laugh!

"He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision."

That's exactly what God will do when His righteous judgment falls upon the reprobate wicked world!

"He that sitteth in the Heavens" is, I believe, God the Father.

He is there in Glory ... on His Throne.

"The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD'S throne is in heaven" says Psalm 11:4.

Again, "But the LORD is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him." Habakkuk 2:20

The verb "laugh" is spelled "sachaq" and means just what it says! To laugh, to mock or to play. However, this laughing is usually in contempt or sport! The action our verb depicts is incomplete, therefore being continual, on-going or durative. God just keeps on laughing at their paltry rebellion! God, in the Name of Wisdom is also said to laugh at this same crowd in Proverbs 1:26.

Then "to have in derision" translates "laag" and means to ridicule or deride or scorn! The two words are synonyms and we may here have an example of parallelism. That is, the second line of our verse is retelling the first line in slightly different words. "Laag" also in our King James Bibles is translated "stammering" one time, in Isaiah 33:19. The word picture here is that of someone trying to speak like a foreigner, stammering through his sentences! Lost mankind simply does not speak the same language as God!

Now I realize that in these wicked days it appears that man is laughing at God.

Evolutionists mock Him.

So do atheists.

And most humanistic psychologists and psychiatrists explain Him away.

Along with many university professors.

Even some politicians belittle the Lord with their words and ways.

In fact, whole nations deny the God of the Bible.

BUT ... in the end, according to our verse today, God will have "the last laugh!"

And to that I say a heart-felt "hallelujah!"

Praise the Lord!

                                                                             --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

 

LESSON 5, VERSE 5:

The Second Psalm is beautiful!

It's very proximity to the First Psalm and the Subject of both lead many to believe that they "fit" together!

Let me show you a couple of things.

Psalm 1 begins with a blessing; Psalm 2 ends with one! This literary feature is called "inclusio" and proves order and design in composition!

Psalm 1 looks ultimately at Jesus as does Psalm 2. While the First Psalm is not always classified as "Messianic" or as directly prophesying about Jesus ... it nonetheless can only be describing Him, God the Son. Who else could fulfill its beautiful descriptive clauses? None but Jesus truly never walked in the counsel of the ungodly! None but Him ever day and night wholly meditated in the precious Word of God!

Psalm 1 gives us a view of the moral glory of Jesus, as perfect Man. Psalm 2 pictures His regal glory, as perfect King!

Therefore, Psalm 1 focuses on His humanity and Psalm 2 on His deity.

They are beautifully "coupled" by the Holy Spirit!

In verse 5 God the Father, "Who sitteth in the heavens," responds further to the threats and rebellious attitudes of the unsaved world. To these God-haters.

"Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure." Psalm 2:5

Now the God Who is often accused of being "silent" speaks! The verb here is "dabar" and emphasizes the content of a message, not the delivery of it. The verb is framed as a Piel imperfect. That means the action is dramatic and forceful and intense! It also suggests that the speech is lengthy, not just a "sound bite" at all!

God's "wrath" is spelled "aph" in Hebrew and is quite picturesque. While predominantly meaning "anger" nearly 200 times in our King James Bibles, it literally means "nostril" or "nose!" But basically it is derived from the root verb "anaph" and means "to breathe hard" ... therefore, "to be enraged!" To be so angry it affects one's respiration! Very upset!

Then to "vex" translates "bahal" which means "to tremble inwardly!" Again we have a Piel verb, extremely emotional as it is! The first time it's used in the Bible is Genesis 45:3. There Joseph's brethren are "troubled" when he reveals himself to them in Egypt! Amazing!

Lastly, the expression "sore displeasure" ("charon") is used, which means in its root form "to glow" then "to blaze up."  It is used usually of an extremely hot fire! Figuratively it means to show excitement or passion. Notice if you can "see" this definition at work in the first Bible use of our word: "And in the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee: thou sentest forth thy wrath, which consumed them as stubble." (Exodus 15:7) The "fire" of God's holy anger consumes the stubble!

God is not only a God of love and grace, but also of holiness and judgment. Sin cannot be tolerated in His eyes!

Both aspects of His Character must be preached in these last days, more than ever!

                                                                                  --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

 

LESSON 6, VERSE 6:

Here in Psalm 2 we hear the answer of our Triune God to the rebellious challenge of unsaved humanity.

Its 12 verses are spiritually divided into four sections. Clearly so!

In verses 1-3 the reprobate masses of mankind challenge God!

In verses 4-6 God the Father responds!

In verses 7-9 Jesus the Son both speaks and is described!

Then in verses 10-12 God the Holy Spirit responds in a way perfectly parallel to His character!

It is lovely to behold this order!

Let's today listen to God the Father's word in verse 6. "Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion."

The "King" is Jesus!

He is coming again!

To rule and reign!

As King of Israel!

And King of Kings!

God's "final" answer to the ferment of lost man's antagonism is ... to send Jesus back to earth!

Not simply Jesus the Lamb, but Jesus the Lion!

Not just the dead-but-alive-again Jesus ... but the warrior Jesus!

The verb "to set" is spelled "nasak" and means "to pour out!" From that picturesque definition its corollary "to anoint" surfaces! Jesus is God's Anointed One, the Messiah!

Notice that God refers to Jesus as "My King!" This is personal with the Almighty! If Christ is God's King ... He is my King too!

The final world battle of the tribulation will be called Harmageddon, or in Greek Armageddon. The words "holy hill" would be written in Hebrew "har qodesh." The Mountain of Holiness!

"Holy" ("qodesh") means "set apart" or "separated" and here again carries the idea of something or someone being totally dedicated or consecrated to God! Unique! Different from the world!

I imagine that the "Holy Hill of Zion" means Jerusalem in general and the Temple Mount in particular!

There Jesus will be King!

As ordered by God Himself!

When the Wise Men of old asked of Herod ... "Where is He That is born King of the Jews?" ... their words held more truth that they ever suspected! See Matthew 2:2.

When King Jesus arrives ... any open rebellion will be eradicated!

Here's the whole event from John's point of view. He was on the Isle of Patmos as he wrote. "And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and He that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns; and He had a name written, that no man knew, but He Himself. And He was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and His Name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed Him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of His mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it He should smite the nations: and He shall rule them with a rod of iron: and He treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He hath on His vesture and on His thigh a Name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; that ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great. And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh." Revelation 19:11-21

Again here's the 2nd Psalms abbreviated account as God the Father simply says: "Yet have I set My King upon My holy hill of Zion."

Amen!

                                                                               --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

 

LESSON 7, VERSE 7:

There are places in the Psalms where, by means of Bible prophecy, the very words of Jesus are quoted!

Such is the case in Psalm 2:7-9. Listen with me: "I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen 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."

Here God the Son is talking!

God the Father has just said to Him, "Thou art My Son!"

And obviously the events being described are yet future!

Jesus will some day have possession of all the nations of the world!

And He will rule over every square inch of earth too!

And He will govern with strength and with strong judgment against sin!

This Scene is God's answer to the raging rebellious masses upon earth during the last days!

Jesus will fulfill these prophecies by the power of God His Father.

He said in John 5:19 ... "The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise."

In John 8:28 He adds: "I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things."

Hence Jesus opens this great paragraph by saying: "I will declare the decree."

Or in other words: I will repeat the Promise! Here's what God My Father said to Me!

Now of course Jesus never lied!

God cannot lie and Jesus is divine! He is God! Titus 1:2 tells us that "God cannot lie!" Hebrews 6:18 further states that it is ... "impossible for God to lie!"

Therefore anything Jesus said is true!

Then, why did He so reinforce this Promise by framing it so fully? "I will declare the decree!"

For the same reason He often used "Verily, verily I say unto you!" The words mean "truly, truly!"

For the same reason He reaffirmed the existence of Heaven: "If it were not so, I would have told you."

Some truth, even to Jesus, is just so critically important that it has to be emphasized in some special way!

Therefore, when His future Kingship and the scope of His reign and the very extent of His kingdom are being taught, the Lord Jesus doubly assured us of the stability and validity of such claims!

"I will declare the decree!" Psalm 2:7

The verb "declare" translates "saphar" and means something like "count or number." Then the word takes on significance as the act of "reckoning or scribing or speaking or giving an account" is included!

Jesus has thought a lot about what He is saying here!

He is quoting His Father here! He does that all the time!

Three quick verses prove my point: "Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do." John 5:19

"I can of mine own self do nothing," Jesus said this in John 5:30.

Next, "Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things." John 8:28

Again, Jesus is quoting His Father!

This "honor" of the Kingdom is being given Him by His Father! He will NOT honor Himself! In John 8:54 He clearly said: "If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me."

And, back to our Text today, the noun "decree" is spelled "choq" and means a law or statute or ordinance. Something proscribed! Its root word, "chaqaq," means to to hack or cut or engrave something. This "decree" has been "prewritten" for eternity!

The following words, those after this statement, are tremendously important!

"I will declare the decree," says Jesus.

Next He proceeds with something like: "The Father has promised Me ...."

Yes, the Virgin Birth is fundamental!

And Jesus' sinless life!

Plus His vicarious death of the Cross!

Along with His subsequent burial and Resurrection!

And Ascension!

But, so is His Return to earth!

And that's what Psalm 2:7 is emphasizing!

Let's all say along with John the beloved Apostle: "Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus." Revelation 22:20

                                                                                      --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

 

LESSON 8, VERSE 8:

Psalm 2:8 reads: "Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession."

These are the words of God the Father to His Son the Lord Jesus Christ.

One day in the future Jesus will inherit the nations of the world, united nations against God Almighty!

Our Lord then will judge those nations ... with a rod of iron! He will crush them as a potter does a reprobate vessel!

Here is the Father instructing the Son in the matter of prayer too! That's amazing! The verb "ask" is "shaal" and means just what it says, "to enquire, beg or request!" And, as often is Old Testament prayer, it is framed as an imperative!

The verb "give" translates "nathan," a major Hebrew term meaning "to bestow, grant or permit." Its "time" sense is that of incomplete action. God will continually give Jesus these nations, beginning with a thousand years of peaceful reign. Peaceful in this sense, their rebellion has been squelched!

By the "heathen" ("goy") Scripture means "nations" 374 times and "gentiles" another 34 times in our King James Bibles. These are not Jews. Israel already is God's in a special sense.

"Inheritance" is spelled "nachalah" and means one's property or portion or share of something!

The "uttermost part" (in Hebrew = "ephes") means "the extremities" or "the ends" of anything. Jesus will reign "wherever the sun does its successive journeys run" as the old hymn says!

World wide judgment!

Worldwide dominion!

A worldwide Kingdom!

And that last noun, "possession," means property, especially land! God likes the land!

If one accepts this Text as Messianic, as referring to the returning Jesus ... he or she will have no trouble accepting the fact of His coming Kingdom and glory!

This reigning Jesus is God the Father's Answer to the rebellion of mankind!

Still, it is true.

"He hath done all things well!" Mark 7:37

Amen!

                                                                            --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

 

LESSON 9, VERSE 9:

The Father has promised Jesus power to handle all coming judgment.

Our Lord told us so. "For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son." John 5:22

When Jesus returns to earth from Glory, He will judge the rebellious nations of the world. These nations have become confederate against God, ready to do war!

Here's how our Heavenly Father describes Jesus' method of handling these reprobates: "Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel." Psalm 2:9

Sounds final!

And hard!

And complete!

The verb "break" translates "raa" and surprisingly is the normal root word for evil! In its verbal form it means to "hurt, harm or afflict." I suspect this is telling us that the lost world would characterize Jesus' actions here as wrong, bad, inconsistent with grace! But the godly throngs of the ages will cry: "Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments." (Revelation 16:7) The Psalmist agrees: "Righteous art thou, O LORD, and upright are thy judgments." Psalm 119:137

Now while this verb chronologically is describing an event yet in the future, in Hebrew David wrote it as a Qal imperfect. That pictures action now occurring, possibly in incremental units! God the Son, right now, can dismantle a nation that rebels against God!

The noun in our next expression, a "rod of iron," is represented by "shebet" and usually means a shepherd's staff or club or rod. But it can even mean a King's scepter as well!

Our term here is quoted in the New Testament three times, all in the Book of Revelation!

"And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father" says Jesus in Revelation 2:27. He is speaking of the "overcomers" in the Church at Thyatira. Then again in Revelation 12:5 John clearly describes Mary and Jesus: "And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne." Then, at Jesus' literal Second Coming to earth, He is depicted as: "And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God." Revelation 19:15

Again, it is amazing that this "rod" in the Old Testament represents either the Shepherd's rod or staff ... or the King's scepter! Jesus is both! He's King of kings and the chief Shepherd also!

One more note: "iron" here, "barzel," twice in the King James Bible means an axe head, Deuteronomy 19:5 and 2nd Kings 6:5.

Next, in parallel form, Jesus will "dash in pieces" these rebellious nations! This verb, "naphatzs," means to shatter ... then scatter something! To rip something to pieces, asunder! As one would suspect, it's a Piel imperfect, picturing dramatic intensive action!

This is the verb used by the Holy Spirit in Judges 7:19 when Gideon's small army "broke" their clay pitchers to reveal the light of their lamps, thus confusing the Midianite forces!

Then comes a figure of speech, a simile. "Like a potter's vessel" uses the common noun for potter, suggesting a man who is skilled and artistically gifted to work with clay! He is not just throwing some dirt together, a plan is in mind, a work of beauty and purpose!

And the noun "vessel" is spelled "keliy" and means just that, "vessel," 166 times in our Bible. Yet it is rendered as "instrument" 39 times and even as a "weapon" 21 times! It's even a "jewel" 21 times! Look at the versatility of this little clay creation!

I've run out of space today!

And consumed more of your time than usual too!

In summary: Jesus is Victor!

He will judge the wicked some day, even the wicked nations!

Praise His good Name!

And if you're wondering how I got praise from a judgment Text, just read Psalm 119:164 which says: "Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments."

Amen!

                                                                           --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

 

LESSON 10, VERSE 10:

The tenth verse of our Psalm I believe echoes the words of God the Holy Spirit as He pleads with the lost nations of earth.

He says: "Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth." Psalm 2:10

Both verbs here are in the imperative mood.

This is the Voice of conviction speaking!

Before it is too late, be wise and listen to the Counsel of God.

The verb "sakal" means "to be prudent, to be circumspect, to consider, to give attention to or to have insight."

To be wise in the things of God requires the touch of the Holy Spirit.

Whereas the verb "yasar" means "to be admonished, chastened or disciplined!"

The two verbs used in tandem here might be building in intensity! If I am not going to be wise ... I can expect God's chastening!

The two named subjects of these injunctions are "kings" and judges." Here are the heads of two branches of government; the executive and the judicial.

Both yet today need to heed these warnings.

Notice that the lawmakers are not mentioned, the legislative branch. Maybe it is too late for them!

Is not this job of holy "persuasion" yet in the Hands of the Holy Spirit?

If anyone ever really gets saved, even to this day, it is because the Holy Spirit has drawn them to the Saviour!

Amen!

                                                                                     --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

 

LESSON 11, VERSE 11:

The verse says: "Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling." Psalm 2:11

Both verbs are in the imperative mood, expressing direct commands!

I believe this is the Voice of the Lord, particularly through His Holy Spirit, admonishing the unsaved to repent and believe on Christ Jesus our Saviour.

The verb "serve" is spelled "abad" in Hebrew and means "to serve as a subject to his king" or even "to serve as a slave to his master." While the word can carry the idea of labor or work, 5 times in the King James Bible it is translated with a worship theme attached.

Nations of the world, worship God!

The noun "fear" is "yirah" in the Hebrew and initially means "terror." As the language developed the word came to mean a form of deep respectful "love" ... then "reverence" or deep "awe."

The fear of the Lord is an integral part of Old Testament worship ... and New Testament worship as well!

Then comes the second half of our verse. It restates the first half in a typically parallel manner.

To "rejoice" ("giyl") means to be delighted or to be glad! It also can carry a tinge of the idea of trembling in emotional joy! Its root word means "to circle round and round!"

Here is the victorious and glad response of a sinner who has just trusted Jesus and been saved from eternal death!

The noun "trembling" is spelled "raad" in the language David used. The word is sparsely used in Scripture, appearing only 6 times. It's the word used of Daniel when he was in the presence of the Angel of the Lord. See Daniel 10:4.

If this is not the Old Testament equivalent of a Gospel invitation, I am mistaken!

David had just as well written: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

Amen!

                                                                                --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

 

LESSON 12, VERSE 12:

The last verse is one of the greatest invitations of love ... and warnings of judgment in all the Bible!

It is worthy of a New Testament context, yet here it rests in the middle of the Old Testament!

The Holy Spirit says: "Kiss 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." Psalm 2:12

The opening verb, "kiss," is a piel imperative in Hebrew. It is therefore expressing a command! As does: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ" in Acts 16:31. "Kiss" is spelled "nashaq" and means "to touch gently, to put together, then to kiss." In 30 of its 35 locations in Scripture the King James translators have expressed it as "kiss" or "kissed" or some similar form. But the other 5 timers it is rendered as "armed" or "armed men" or even "touched!"

This leads me to believe that there is a Bible association with loving Jesus and fighting the good fight of faith! The lover and the soldier are here related! Thre's linkage between worship and warfare! Thus Psalm 149:6 says: "Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand."

The "kiss" commanded here may be a kiss to the foot, a sign of homage and obeisance to ancient Kings who had conquered a land!

The "Son" is obviously Jesus! The noun is "bar" and means heir as well as son! Hebrews 1:3 calls Jesus "His Son, whom he hath appointed Heir of all things." This Son is identical to the King, the Messiah, and the Lord ... all mentioned earlier in this great Psalm!

"Kiss the Son" literally means "get saved" in New Testament language.

But quickly notice the consequences of NOT kissing the Son, not submitting to His Power and Glory! "Lest He be angry!" This dramatic term literally means one's nostrils, heavily breathing the hot air of wrath and fury! Of its 15 Bible occurrences, 14 mean "angry" and 1 means "displeased!"

This too is parallel with New Testament truth. "He that believeth not is condemned already," says John 3:18. Or, better yet, John 3:36 which thunders: "He that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." Amazing! Just as God's Grace is amazing ... so is His Wrath!

The verb "perish" (in Hebrew = "abad") means to be destroyed, to vanish, to fail, to be broken, to be void or undone!" It pictures on-going action, eternal death! In Hell!

God's anger is said to be "kindled." This means "to eat up, to feed upon, or to burn hotly!" And it won't take a lot of God's wrath to punish the rebelliously wicked, the incorrigible, either! Just a "little." Now "meat" means "a few" or something "small" in quantity.

The "way" is obviously one's life. "Derek" is the normal word for road, journey or path. With God as one's Lord, the "way" may be straight and narrow, but it's also eternally alive!

What an invitation Psalm 2:12 extends!

Have YOU accepted it?

Have YOU considered the consequences of not being saved?

Do so, now!

                                                                                   --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

 

LESSON 13, STILL VERSE 12:

The last clause of Psalm 2 is interesting.

"Blessed are all they that put their trust in Him." Psalm 2:12

That grand opening word is spelled "esher" and is akin to the Hebrew word "asher," the name of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. It basically means "happy." In fact, it is translated "happy" 18 times in our King James Bibles. This is not a happiness based on so-called luck or fortuitous circumstances. It is happiness based on a right relationship with Almighty God!

I've always been thrilled with the first time this word is used in Scripture, Deuteronomy 33:29. "Happy art thou, O Israel: who is like unto thee, O people saved by the LORD, the shield of thy help, and who is the sword of thy excellency! and thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee; and thou shalt tread upon their high places." Happy ... because "saved!"

The verb "to put trust" is spelled "chasah" and means "to flee for refuge!" It also can mean "to have hope." Jesus is our Rock of Ages, our Fortress of Safety, our Tower of Strength! "The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe." Proverbs 18:10

Folks, I'm running to Jesus!

He's my Safety when that old roaring lion the devil is near! In fact, He's my Saviour all the time!

                                                                                   --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

 

LESSON 14, SUMMARY:

The Psalm can be divided into four sections: The REBELLION of man in verses 1-3. The REPLY of God in verses 4-6. The REVELATION of the Son in verses 7-9. Then lastly the Holy Spirit's call for RECONCILIATION is heard in verses 10-12.

Four groups are here identified as being against God: The "heathen" or the united nations, united in godless rebellion! The "people," individual reprobates I assume! The "rulers" who are antichristian in philosophy and practice! And finally the "judges" who hate the Almighty and actively oppose Him!

The confederacy at the Cross, all against Jesus ... prefigures the coming confederacy against Christ at His Second Coming!

God's "wrath" in the Bible Book of Revelation is so apparent: Seven Seals, Trumpets, Vials and much much more!

God's goal to history ... His Son ruling on the Throne of David in Jerusalem! And nothing is going to stop Him either!

The "Sonship" of Jesus is seen in verse 7 ... followed by the "Heirship" of Jesus in verse 8.

Here Jesus, at His victorious Second Coming, is still handling the rod, His Shepherd's rod and staff. The word can mean either.

In Scripture a "kiss" can typify several things. In Luke 7:38 is a kiss or sorrow or repentance. Luke 15:20 presents a kiss of forgiveness. While Luke 22:47 is is a kiss of betrayal or deceit. In Song of Solomon we find the kiss of intimacy and love. Then here in our Text, Psalm 2:12 shows us the kiss of reverence and worship as well as loyalty and submission!

"Son" in verse 7 translates the short Hebrew noun "ben." While "Son" in verse 12 is "bar," a similar term. However "ben" is Jewish in flavor while "bar" is more a Gentile expression! Whosoever will may come!

The "raging" of verse 1 is like the tumultuous restlessness of the vast sea! Isaiah indeed compares the two.

The verb "set" in verse 6 means "to pour out" as in a drink offering or libation or an anointing with oil! The Holy Spirit was also "poured out" on the Day of Pentecost! And when we are saved, the love of God is "poured out" into our hearts!

To dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel is an allusion to Jeremiah chapter 19 where such an act is illustrated!

Psalm 1 deals with the Word! Psalm 2 deals with the world!

Psalm 2 begins with a question ... and ends with The Answer!

Verses 1-3 shows DEFIANCE! Verses 4-6 depict DERISION! Verses 7-9 are a DECLARATION! And verses 10-12 call for a DECISION!

The 2 climaxes of the rebellion this Psalm represents: Calvary ... and Armageddon!

The real purpose of life is not to find our freedom ... but to find the Right Master!

God laughing? See Psalm 37:13 and Psalm 59:8 and Isaiah 40:15.

Man's devices cannot change God's Decrees!

Jesus ... from the Virgin Womb ... to a Virgin Tomb! Then alive forevermore! Praise the Lord! (Psalm 2:7 // Acts 13:33)

Here Jesus is both Son and King ... then Judge!

In the Holy Spirit's invitation of verses 10-12, He appeals to one's mind (Instruction and Wisdom) and to one's will (Serve the Lord) and to one's emotions (Kiss the Son and rejoice with trembling). The whole person!

Kiss the Son, after all, He kissed you at Calvary!

Praise the Lord!

What a Psalm!

Men of God, as the Lord leads you, preach it soon!

                                                                                   --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

THE SECOND PSALM IS CERTAINLY ABOUT JESUS!

 

 

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