How can a book that is thousands of years old have any relevance for modern life? Why do I have to do what the Bible says? Why can’t I just live like I want to?” That’s not just the attitude of human rulers, who are accustomed to having things their own way (Psalm 2:1-3). No, that’s what many modern Americans think, hard-core liberty junkies that we all are. And so it’s no wonder that our culture has been drifting away from Biblical norms, as fewer people study the Bible (Psalm 1:2) and as more and more scoff at the notion that the Scriptures should be our sufficient rule of faith and practice (Psalm 1:1).
Well, this Psalm gives us many reasons for reverence for Christ and His Word. In the first place, we learn that He is the only-begotten Son of God (Psalm 2:7), and because of His obedience and righteousness He has been raised from the dead and given all authority in Heaven and on earth (Psalm 2:8; see also Matthew 28:18). As a result, Jesus rules over all the kings of the earth, in spite of any objections they might have to this arrangement (Psalm 2:9). As with any other king, His Word is law.
And didn’t the Lord demonstrate His authority in the days of Hezekiah? Sure, the king of Assyria boasted about how he had conquered all the kingdoms around him, regardless of the objections of any of their false gods (II Kings 18:33-35). But as Isaiah pointed out, the God of the people of Israel is the true God, the One Who created the king of Assyria and Who allowed him to amass such power (II Kings 19:25). That’s why God could turn the king of Assyria around just as easily as a rider turns a horse, preventing him from conquering the city of Jerusalem (II Kings 19:28).
So, given that God created everyone and everything, and given Christ’s authority which was earned through His self-sacrificial love, the smart thing to do is to accept His free offer of pardon and welcome, purchased at the price of His own blood. Psalm 2:12 warns the kings of the earth to “Do homage to the Son,” and that’s good advice for all of us to take – before it’s too late (Psalm 2:9).
Psalm 2 (NASB)
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!
