From Psalms 1-8

Introduction

The book of Psalms is filled with the songs and prayers offered to God by the nation of Israel. Their expressions of praise, faith, sorrow, and frustration cover the range of human emotions. Some of the Psalms dwell on the treasure of wisdom and God’s Word. Others reveal the troubled heart of a mourner. Still others explode with praise to God and invite others to join in song. This diversity is unified by one element: they are centered upon the one and only living God. This Creator God is King of all the earth and a refuge to all who trust in him. Many of the Psalms are attributed to King David. The writing and collection of the Psalms into their present form spans the fifteenth to the third centuries B.C. (The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2001). (Ps). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.)

This post is part of my bible in a year series.

Passage and Comments

By far the largest section in the bible, we will be looking at the Psalms for 29 days. Practically a whole month. In todays reading the author is unknown. But he speaks of the Christ.

2 Why do the nations rage

and the peoples plot in vain?

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 burst their bonds apart

and cast away their cords from us.” (Ps 2.1-3)

Like many of the Psalms, the people are divided into differing groups. Including the righteous and the wicked. Here we see the kings and rulers of the earth opposing the LORD and his Anointed. The Anointed denotes the Christ because of the ceremony where he is anointed with oil and declared the Christ. The wicked are portrayed in subjection to the LORD and his Anointed. Hence they say, ‘let us burst their bonds apart’. They dont want to be under their rule. How will the LORD respond to their threat?

4 He who sits in the heavens laughs;

the Lord holds them in derision.

5 Then he will speak to them in his wrath,

and terrify them in his fury, saying,

6 “As for me, I have set my King

on Zion, my holy hill.” (Ps 2.4-6)

The LORD is amused by their pitiful threats. For rebelling against him, the LORD will speak to them and terrify them in his wrath by announcing his chosen King.

7 I will tell of the decree:

The LORD said to me, “You are my Son;

today I have begotten you.

8 Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage,

and the ends of the earth your possession.

9 You shall break them with a rod of iron

and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.” (Ps 2.7-9)

The LORD has declared him his Son. He is told to ask of him to make all nations subject to him. These are the nations and the rulers who oppose him. He will break and dash them to pieces.

10 Now therefore, O kings, be wise;

be warned, O rulers of the earth.

11 Serve the LORD with fear,

and rejoice with trembling.

12 Kiss the Son,

lest he be angry, and you perish in the way,

for his wrath is quickly kindled.

Blessed are all who take refuge in him. (Ps 2.10-12)

The Psalmist here so closely associates the LORD with the Son that it is appropriate to think of them as the same. He warns the kings and rulers of the earth. They should serve the LORD and not rebel against him. They should kiss the Son and swear allegiance to him. If they don’t they will be pummelled. All those who surrender to him and take refuge in him are blessed.

Story of Israel

Israel had several Christ’s. But the most well known as Anointed ones were Saul and David. Both of these exercised their reign over some of the nations around them. But the LORD promised David another of his descendants would rule and his kingdom would last forever (2 Sam 7).

Story of Jesus

Its not until centuries later that this Anointed one really makes himself known. He is Jesus, the Christ and Son of God (Jn 20.30). Echoing Ps 2 in some respects Paul’s gospel announces Jesus is the Son of God by his resurrection.

1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2 which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, 3 concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh 4 and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, (Rom 1:1–4)

Kiss the Son and take refuge in him. Likewise John echoes Ps 2 in describing the rule of the Word of God over the nations and the wrath of God on those who oppose him.

11 Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. 13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. 14 And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. 15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords. (Rev 19.11-16)

Kiss the Son and take refuge in him.

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