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 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
