Psalm 2: the Coronation of the Son” Psalm 2

Buck Anderson Grace Bible Church

“Psalm 2: The Coronation of the Son” Psalm 2

Psalms Bible Study: Evening Week 1 Intro & Psalm1 Week 2 Psalm 2 (Skip a week) Week 3 Psalm 63 Week 4 Psalm 23 Week 5 Psalms of Ascent, Hallel Psalms, Psalm 150, Praise & Worship

"Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite who is a skillful musician, a mighty man of valor, a warrior, one prudent in speech, and a handsome man; and the LORD is with him.” (1 Samuel 16:18)

Psalm 2, The Coronation of the Son Author: David (Acts 4:25) Book Order: Acts 13:33

King David ● Birth (1041 BC) ● Anointed King at 12? (1029) ● Enthroned over Judah @ 30 ● Enthroned over Israel @ 37 ● Death (after 40 year reign) @ 70 (971 BC)

Psalm 2 is a Royal Psalm ● Royal Psalms focus on significant events in the life the King. ● 11 Royal Psalms in total. ● “Famous” Royal Psalms include Psalm 2, 45 and 110 (all quoted in the NT) ▪ Psalm 2 is quoted: ▫ Acts 4:25-26;13:33 ▫ Hebrews 1:5; 5;5

This psalm is about the coronation of the Davidic king in the holy city of Zion. It was originally written for a coronation, but was then included in the collection of psalms to be sung by the Levitical choirs at any appropriate time—certainly at coronations, but also in times of national crises to remind the people that God had installed their king and threats would come to naught.

Kingdoms are particularly vulnerable during the change of monarchs. The surrounding nations and tribes would often encroach into the land, raid outlying cities and try to end Israel’s control over them. Accordingly, one of the first tasks of a new king would be to solidify borders and subjugate enemies, keeping them under Israelite rule.

Psalm 2 The theology of the psalm…. ● Portrays Yahweh as the sovereign King of the universe who reigns from heaven… ● Controls nations (Isaiah 40) ● Established borders (Deut. 32) ● Sets up & removes kings (Daniel 2) ● …and guarantees the dominion of His anointed king.

Psalm 2 Background: 2 Samuel 7:12-16 “When your days are complete and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come forth from you, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be a father to him and he will be a son to Me; when he commits iniquity, I will correct him with the rod of men and the strokes of the sons of men, but My lovingkindness shall not depart from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. And your house and your kingdom shall endure before Me forever; your throne shall be established forever.”

Because this is a Royal Psalm.. ● Its message applied to every successive Davidic king. ▪ All Davidic kings are sons and “messiahs” ● Because Jesus Christ is a descendant of David (Matthew and Luke genealogies), this psalm is ultimately fulfilled in Him. ● Point: The reign of God’s king/King is assured despite opposition.

Psalm 2 1 Why are the nations in an uproar, and the peoples devising a vain thing? 2 The kings of the earth take their stand, and the rulers take counsel together against the LORD and against His Anointed: 3 "Let us tear their fetters apart, and cast away their cords from us!" 4 He who sits in the heavens laughs, the Lord scoffs at them. 5 Then He will speak to them in His anger and terrify them in His fury: 6 "But as for Me, I have installed My King upon Zion, My holy mountain." 7 "I will surely tell of the decree of the LORD: He said to Me, 'Thou art My Son, today I have begotten Thee. 8 'Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Thine inheritance, and the very ends of the earth as Thy possession. 9 'Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron, Thou shalt shatter them like earthenware.'" 10 Now therefore, O kings, show discernment; take warning, O judges of the earth. 11 Worship the LORD with reverence, and rejoice with trembling. 12 Do homage to the Son, lest He become angry, and you perish in the way, for His wrath may soon be kindled. How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!

Psalm 2 Message: The psalmist exhorts the pagan nations to abandon their rebellious plans against Yahweh and His anointed king and submit to the authority of this king whom God has ordained to rule the nations and quiet rebellion.

Psalm 2 The Cast… ● Nations & Peoples ● Kings of the earth ● Rulers ● The Lord (Yahweh) ● The Lord’s “Anointed”

Psalm 2 A. The nations foolishly desire to rebel against Yahweh and His anointed king (1-3)

Why are the nations in an uproar, and the peoples devising a vain thing? The kings of the earth take their stand, and the rulers take counsel together against the LORD and against His Anointed: "Let us tear their fetters apart, and cast away their cords from us!"

Why are the nations in an uproar, and the peoples devising a vain thing? ● Use of rhetorical question to show amazement and indignation. ● Uproar: the word picture is that of a noisy, tumultuous tribal meeting to plan attack. ● Devising: common term for “meditate”

● Vain thing: “empty”; what they are planning will have no substance ● Acts 4:25-26 – Psalm 2:1-2 quoted (context??) ● POINT: it is futile for humans to try and throw off God’s authority

The kings of the earth take their stand, and the rulers take counsel together against the LORD and against His Anointed: "Let us tear their fetters apart, and cast away their cords from us!”

● Who is “His Anointed”??

Key term: “Anointed” (Psalm 2:2) ▪ “mashach” (anoint = to smear) ▪ “mashiach” (an anointed one) ▪ “mashiach” = messiah ▪ Used of Jewish kings ▫ “I will not stretch out my hand against my lord, for he is the LORD’s anointed.” ▫ 1 Samuel 24:10 + many others ▪ Greek = “christos” (Christ)

● Explain the parallelisms in verse 2: ● Kings/rulers; take stand/counsel together ● Tear their fetters apart/cast away their cords

● Who is speaking in verse 3? ● Identify the pronouns in verse 3

B. The resolution of the Yahweh to install His king (4-6)

He who sits in the heavens laughs, the Lord scoffs at them. Then He will speak to them in His anger and terrify them in His fury: "But as for Me, I have installed My King upon Zion, My holy mountain.”

● 2:1-2 = actions of earthly kings ● 2:3 = their speech ● 2:4-5 = reaction of the heavenly King ● 2:6 = His speech

● The Lord sits , laughs, scoffs, speak in anger & fury (2:4) ● Point: this rebellion is utterly ridiculous

Then He will speak to them in His anger and terrify them in His fury: "But as for Me, I have installed My King upon Zion, My holy mountain.”

● “Then” marks transition to the future ● His anger (cause) will terrify them (effect) ● “But as for Me” = this is what I’M doing… ● I’m supporting my installed King!

● No matter what, God is determined that His chosen king will reign over them!

C. The affirmations of the anointed king to show by what right he rules (7-9)

"I will surely tell of the decree of the LORD: He said to Me, 'Thou art My Son , today I have begotten Thee. Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Thine inheritance, and the very ends of the earth as Thy possession. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron, Thou shalt shatter them like earthenware.'"

● Q: Who is speaking at the start of 2:7? ● A: the anointed king is now speaking

● “He said to Me ” or “He said to me ”? ● “Thou art My Son ” or “Thou art My son ”?

"I will surely tell of the decree of the LORD: He said to Me , 'Thou art My Son , today I have begotten Thee…

Version Me or me? Son or son? NIV me Son

NASB Me Son

KJV me Son

NKJV Me Son

RSV me son

NET me son

ESV me Son

Your version?

● “He said to me” = the king speaking ● “My son” – all Davidic kings were “sons” ● 2 Samuel 7:14 = Davidic Covenant ● (also Acts 13:33-34; Heb 1:5; 5:5)

"I will surely tell of the decree of the LORD: He said to Me, 'Thou art My Son, today I have begotten Thee. Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Thine inheritance, and the very ends of the earth as Thy possession. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron, Thou shalt shatter them like earthenware.'"

● The king/King will establish dominion throughout the world (2:8-9)

D. The exhortation to the foolish nations to trust God and submit to His “son” (10-12)

Now therefore, O kings, show discernment ; take warning , O judges of the earth. Worship the LORD with reverence, and rejoice with trembling. Do homage to the Son , lest He become angry, and you perish in the way, for His wrath may soon be kindled. How blessed are all who take refuge in Him! ● It is wise for people to find refuge from God’s wrath by submitting to His king.

Psalm 2 in Acts 13:32-40 And we preach to you the good news of the promise made to the fathers, that God has fulfilled this promise to our children in that He raised up Jesus, as it is also written in the second Psalm, ‘Thou art My Son; today I have begotten Thee.’ And as for the fact that He raised Him up from the dead, no more to return to decay, He has spoken in this way: ‘ I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David. ’ Therefore He also says in another Psalm, ‘Thou wilt not allow Thy Holy One to undergo decay.’ For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep, and was laid among his fathers, and underwent decay; but He whom God raised did not undergo decay. Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses. Take heed therefore, so that the thing spoken of in the Prophets may not come upon you…

Psalm 2 ● How does Psalm 1:1 begin? ● How does Psalm 2:12 end? ● What is that called? ● What is the significance? ● It is wise to submit to the authority of the Messiah because God has declared that He will put down all rebellion and rule the world.