If you have your Bible with you, you can open it up to Psalm chapter 2.
Psalm chapter 2.
So this morning, as we've been working through the psalms this summer, just different psalms each Sunday,
and this morning we come to one of my favorites.
I love Psalm 2.
It's a short psalm, so I'll read the whole thing all at once, and then we'll talk about it,
and then we'll let it lead us into our remembrance of the Lord Jesus at the Lord's table.
So Psalm 2.
Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain?
The kings of the earth rise up, and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed, saying,
Let us break their chains and throw off their shackles.
The Lord scoffs at them.
He rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying,
I have installed my king on Zion, my holy mountain.
I will proclaim the Lord's decree.
He said to me,
You are my son.
Today I have become your father.
Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance,
the ends of the earth your possession.
You will break them with a rod of iron.
You will dash them to pieces like pottery.
Therefore, you kings, be wise.
Be warned, you rulers of the earth.
Serve the Lord with fear,
and celebrate his rule with trembling.
Kiss his son,
or he will be angry,
and your way will lead to your destruction.
For his wrath can flare up in a moment.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him.
So this psalm was written by King David,
and we know that from Acts chapter 4, verse 25,
where the apostles are gathered together,
and they quote this psalm in a prayer that they're praying,
and they reference it as something that was spoken by the Holy Spirit
through the mouth of your servant, our father David.
There are four parts to this psalm.
If you can see in your Bible,
this might even be paragraphed just like this.
Verses 1 to 3,
in those verses,
the nations rise up against the Lord and his anointed.
Then in verses 4 to 6,
we get the Lord's response.
He laughs at them and rebukes them.
Then in verses 7 to 9,
David tells us of God's decree,
his royal decree.
And finally, in verses 10 to 12,
David warns the people to cherish
and serve the Lord and his anointed king.
And one of the things I love about this particular psalm
is just how strongly it points to Jesus.
Written a thousand years before Jesus came,
it just speaks loudly about him,
about God's ultimate chosen king,
and how things will go in the long run for our world,
and what we should all do in response.
So let's dig into this,
starting with the first few verses here.
Looking in at verse 1.
The author begins with this rhetorical question.
Why do the nations conspire,
and the peoples plot in vain?
What's his point?
The conspiring,
the raging of the nations and the peoples,
the plotting,
it's pointless.
Now what is he talking about?
Some of us are so used to seeing how this psalm points to Jesus
that maybe we forget that these words meant something to the king,
King David,
who wrote them long before Jesus came.
These words paint us a picture of how things were
in the days of King David.
There were nations at that time
all around Israel
who were conspiring against Israel
and the anointed,
David,
the one who was anointed by Samuel to be king.
And Nathan, the prophet,
he came and he
delivered the Lord's word
that David's kingdom
would be an enduring kingdom,
a kingdom that would last forever.
He would always have a son
on the throne.
There were many battles in those days
between Israel
and the nations
and peoples around Israel.
They fought with the Egyptians.
They fought with the Philistines.
They battled the Edomites
and the Moabites
and the Arameans.
If you've read through the Old Testament,
you probably are familiar
with all these
wars and battles.
And
because the Lord
stood behind
his chosen king,
David,
David had victory,
overwhelming victory
wherever he turned.
He conquered them,
he defeated them,
he brought them
into submission,
and they were required
to pay taxes
and tribute to him.
If you think back
to how the people of Israel
were ruled over
by the Romans
in the days of Jesus,
that's kind of like
how it was
back then.
Each of those nations
had their leaders,
but David was king
over all of them.
suddenly,
verses 1 to 3
here in the psalm
make a little more sense.
Why are these peoples
plotting and scheming
against the Lord's anointed?
Why are they saying,
let's break their chains
and throw off
their shackles?
Well, it's because
these peoples and nations
are not free
and self-governing
like they used to be.
And so,
that's why they're plotting,
that's why they're
conspiring together.
How can we band together
to defeat this
king of Israel
who rules over us now?
And what's the king's
reaction to this
as he sees this happening?
He says,
all your plotting,
all your scheming
against the Lord
and his anointed
is pointless.
It's in vain.
It's for nothing.
Your attempts to rebel
will fail.
Now, how can David
have this kind of confidence?
Well, the reason is
because God himself,
Yahweh, the Lord,
anointed David
and promised David
that he would be king
and that he would rule
in this territory,
in this kind of a way.
And nobody
can stand against the Lord.
In verses 4 to 6,
the next section,
the psalmist tells us
what God's response is
to all this scheming
and plotting
of the nations
and the peoples.
He says,
the one enthroned
in heaven
laughs.
The Lord scoffs
at them.
I love this verse.
God
laughs
at things.
We don't tend
to think of God
as a God
who laughs
or finds things funny.
but here's at least
one thing
that he finds funny.
So ridiculous
is the idea
that these
little kings,
these little rulers
in the nations around
can rise up
against God
and defeat
his chosen king
that he laughs.
They think
they can
win
against the creator,
the almighty,
the Lord
of heaven
and earth
and his
chosen king.
They think
they can prevail
and God
finds it funny
because it's
just so impossible.
That's how big
and great
and powerful
God is.
The best laid
plans of kings
and rulers
made against him
make him chuckle.
he responds
with scoffing
it says.
He mocks
their arrogance,
their ignorance,
their foolishness
and I won't go
to some of these passages
but if you want
to hear examples
of how the Lord
would mock
kings
you can read
through some
of the words
of the prophets
in the Old Testament
because God does it
in quite a few places.
He rebukes
them
in his anger
and terrifies
them in his wrath.
These words
speak of how
God has been
dealing with
all of the enemies
who are rising
up against King David.
Time and time again
he's handed the victory
to his chosen king
even when it seems
like the odds
are impossible
he causes
the enemy
to flee
and to melt
with fear.
In verse 6
he says
I have installed
my king
on Zion
my holy mountain
this is the
statement of the
Lord
over every
battle fought
with the Philistines
the Amalekites
the Edomites
etc.
in the days
of King David
they couldn't win
and even now
as they make plans
and talk about
these secret
alliances
this is God's
statement
of how things
are going to
turn out.
I have installed
my king
in other words
he will not
be displaced
or defeated
by any of you
your plans
will fail
you will
find yourself
trembling
fleeing
in fear
my anger
and my wrath
rising up
against you
if you rebel
and rise up
against me
God
stands behind
his chosen
king
100%
in verse 7
this third
section
David says
I will
proclaim
the Lord's
decree
and what
follows here
is the reason
that David
has this
confidence
it's because
of what God
has decreed
about David
and his
kingdom
that David
can say
all this
that he
has this
confidence
that their
plans and
schemes
are pointless
David says
the Lord
said to me
you
are my
son
today
I have
become
your father
probably
it's best
to see
these words
as a
further
explanation
of that
royal
special
covenant
that God
made
with David
about his
kingdom
being established
forever
you are
my son
today
I have
become
your father
this is
something
special
there's a
change in
the relationship
here
a profound
act of
love
from God
to this
king
so now
it's not
just that
he's a
servant
of the
Lord
but now
like a
son
God
places
the full
weight
and care
of his
fatherly
love
and protection
upon this
king
you
are my
son
he says
to David
and if we
think back
to those
ancient times
what do
sons
get
a big
part of
the culture
and tradition
was that
they would
get an
inheritance
from their
fathers
now of course
we still have
some of that
around today
but it
was a big
deal
back then
an inheritance
comes with
being a
son
and so
God
promises
the king
who he
now calls
son
David
an
inheritance
and it's
a large
inheritance
it's a
grand
inheritance
it's almost
as if he's
saying
what do
you want
my son
ask me
I'll give
you the
nations
as your
inheritance
I'll make
the ends
of the
earth
your
possession
ask me
and I
will give
it to
you
that's
quite the
inheritance
isn't it
a kingdom
over all
the nations
in which
all of them
belong to
you
and not
just the
nations
nearby
but I'll
make the
ends
of the
earth
your
possession
I'll make
your dominion
your territory
that belongs
to you
reach to
the ends
of the
earth
this is
no less
than God
promising
David
a global
worldwide
kingdom
how will
it go
in verse
9 he says
you will
break them
with a rod
of iron
you will
dash them
to pieces
like pottery
now there's
some variance
in the
translation
you may
see in
your bible
whether it's
rod
or scepter
whether it's
break
or rule
but probably
the meaning
either way
is exactly
the same
the point
is that
your kingdom
my son
will be
unbreakable
it'll be
undefeatable
your rule
will be as
strong as
iron
it's poetic
your rule
will be so
firm
so secure
so unshakable
and if ever
anyone tries
to rise up
against you
tries to
attack you
to make
war
against you
you will
crush them
and break
them into
pieces
like iron
hitting
pottery
this is the
decree of the
Lord
to David
and it
sounds similar
to some of
those grand
promises that
God made
to Abraham
if you remember
back earlier
in the story
promises that
are global
in their
reach
promises that
are greatly
exalting
and like
Abraham's
covenant
promises
some of
these things
will happen
immediately
here in the
present day
for King
David
he will
God will
continue to
give him
victory
over all
enemies
all around
but then at
the same time
in a similar
way to
Abraham's
promises
it seems
to point
to a
greater
and ultimate
future
a generational
fulfillment
an enduring
dynasty
or kingdom
something
coming
the psalm
then ends
with a
warning
therefore you
kings
be wise
be warned
you rulers
of the earth
serve the
Lord with
fear
and celebrate
his rule
with trembling
kiss his
son
or he will
be angry
and your way
will lead to
your destruction
for his wrath
can flare up
in a moment
blessed are
all who
take refuge
in him
so notice
who this
warning is
directed at
specifically
to the kings
and rulers
of earth
so David
kind of comes
full circle
the kings
and rulers
around
they're the
ones that
have been
plotting
and scheming
about how
they can
rebel
and rise
up against
David
and now
David speaks
to them
and gives
them this
warning
and this
is quite
the thing
to say
to them
isn't it
I mean
I was thinking
like can you
imagine if
somebody stood
up in the
UN council
and said
something like
this
people would
be
livid
but he
basically says
there is
a wise
path
and there is
a foolish
path
implied
there is
a foolish
path
when it
comes to
God's
son
his
anointed
king
if you
are wise
he says
you will
serve
Yahweh
the Lord
the God
of Israel
you will
celebrate
his rule
with
trembling
so the
king
straight up
calls the
other kings
and rulers
of the
nations
around
to serve
the one
true God
the Lord
of heaven
and earth
he calls
him to
celebrate
his
dominion
and I
love the
juxtaposition
of these
words here
in verse
11
celebrate
his rule
with
trembling
celebrate
with
trembling
there
ought to
be a
mixture
of
emotions
deep
awe
reverence
respect
for God
holy
fear
but at
the same
time
joy
celebration
God's
rule
and reign
his
chosen
king's
kingdom
is not
like the
evil
empires
of earth's
history
it's not
some kind
of
corrupt
totalitarian
rule
like
Hitler
and the
Nazis
it's not
like
Stalin
and the
Soviet
Union
or
Nebuchadnezzar's
Babylon
or Alexander
the Great's
Grecian
Empire
it's not
like the
empire
from
Star Wars
God is
a good
and gracious
loving
God
and his
son
the ultimate
son
that this
points to
is radiant
just
perfect
incorruptible
righteous
and so
there's
much
cause
amidst
that
fear
and that
reverence
that we
should have
for celebration
and joy
that he is
the king
that he
rules
if we
are wise
we will
pay
homage
to God's
son
God's
king
we will
honor him
and show
our love
to him
kiss
his son
he says
and this
warning ends
with two
ultimate
fates
if we
choose the
wise path
and serve
and love
and honor
God's
king
and take
refuge
in him
we will
be blessed
blessed
are all
who take
refuge
in him
there's an
invitation
there
come
take
refuge
in him
be in
his
kingdom
his
good
kingdom
but if
we do
not
if we
persist
in rebellion
against
God
and against
his king
the psalmist
says he
will be
angry
and your
way will
lead to
your destruction
for his
wrath can
flare up
in a
moment
so this
psalm is all
about the
nations
conspiring
against God
and God's
chosen king
and the
message we
hear from
it is that
God is
absolutely
unthreatened
by the
kings of
the nations
we hear that
his chosen
king his
son will
reign supreme
over all
the kings
of the
earth
and so we
would be
wise to
serve him
celebrate
him
cherish
him
love him
take refuge
in him
or else
face God's
wrath
as we
read the
historical books
of the Old
Testament
the story
of King
David
we get
glimpses
of how
this held
true
in David's
story
even as we
move forward
to David's
son King
Solomon
we get
glimpses of
how all of
this was
holding true
in his
kingdom as
well
but then
some of you
who are reading
through the
Bible this
year we've
probably all
got to that
spot where
things start
to unravel
and things
are spiraling
downward and
the kingdom
the kings
are doing
wicked things
and things
are not
going well
the kingdom
of Israel
just kind
of spirals
down
until finally
the birth of
a special
son of
David
descendant
of David
a thousand
years later
listen to
the words
of the
angel sent
from the
Lord to
Jesus'
mother
Mary
one more
time
Luke
chapter
one
verse
thirty
one
the angel
says to
her
you will
conceive
and give
birth to
a son
and you
are to
call him
Jesus
he will
be great
and will
be called
the son
of the
most high
the Lord
God will
give him
the throne
of his
father
David
and he
will reign
over
Jacob's
descendants
forever
his
kingdom
will
never
end
so
this
decree
made
by
God
long
ago
a thousand
years
earlier
in
Psalm
2
to
David
it was
also
made
in
anticipation
of
this
coming
descendant
of
David
this
coming
son
of
David
who
would
be
king
who
would
be
the
son
of
God
the
author
of
Hebrews
in the
New
Testament
also
looked
back
on
this
psalm
and
by
the
Holy
Spirit
he
tells
us
that
this
psalm
was
not
just
spoken
to
David
amazingly
it
was
spoken
to
Jesus
to
God's
own
son
listen
to
these
words
of
the
author
of
Hebrews
chapter
one
he
says
in
the
past
God
spoke
to
our
ancestors
through
the
prophets
at
many
times
and in
various
ways
but
in
these
last
days
he
has
spoken
to
us
by
his
son
whom
he
appointed
heir
of
all
things
there's
that idea
of
inheritance
again
and
through
whom
also
he
made
the
universe
the
son
is
the
radiance
of
God's
glory
and
the
exact
representation
of
his
being
sustaining
all
things
by
his
powerful
word
after
he
that's
the
son
had
provided
purification
for
sins
he
sat
down
at
the
right
hand
of
the
majesty
in
heaven
so
he
that's
the
son
became
as
much
superior
to
the
angels
as
the
name
he
has
inherited
is
superior
to
theirs
for
to
which
of
the
angels
did
God
ever
say
you
are
my
son
today
I
have
become
your
father
so
do
you
see
what
the
author
of
hebrews
says
here
he
says
that
back
in
psalm
2
God
was
speaking
to
who
Jesus
to
his
son
his
point
is
that
his
son
Jesus
even
though
he
is
a
man
is
superior
to
the
angels
but
look
how
he
does
this
he
says
these
words
speak
of
him
you
are
my
son
today
I
have
become
your
father
God
never
said
that
to
any
of
the
angels
but
he
said
it
to
his
son
and
so
we
are
right
to
look
at
psalm
2
and
to
read
it
as
speaking
not
just
of
David
but
of
the
son
of
David
Jesus
will
be
the
one
who
will
inherit
the
fullness
of
all
that
God
promised
in
psalm
2
a
global
worldwide
kingdom
that
reaches
to
the
ends
of
the
earth
he
will
be
the
one
that
rules
the
nations
with
a
rod
of
iron
an
enduring
unbreakable
kingdom
let's
look
ahead
to
the
very
end
Jesus
gave
a
special
revelation
to
John
his
apostle
a
vision
pertaining
to
the
future
and
this
was
what
John
saw
towards
the
end
of
his
vision
revelation
chapter
19
verse
11
John
describes
what
he's
seeing
he
says
I
saw
heaven
standing
open
and
there
before
me
was
a
white
horse
whose
rider
is
called
faithful
and
true
with
justice
he
judges
and
wages
war
his
eyes
are
like
blazing
fire
and
on
his
head
are
many
crowns
he
has
a
name
written
on
him
that
no
one
knows
but
he
himself
he
is
dressed
in
a
robe
dipped
in
blood
and
his
name
is
the
word
of
God
the
armies
of
heaven
were
following
him
riding
on
white
horses
and
dressed
in
fine
linen
white
and
clean
coming
out
of
his
mouth
is
a
sharp
sword
with
which
to
strike
down
the
nations
he
will
rule
them
with
an
iron
scepter
he
treads
the
wine
press
of
the
fury
of
the
wrath
of
God
almighty
on
his
robe
and
on
his
thigh
he
has
this
name
written
king
of
kings
and
lord
of
lords
what
is
this
it's
a
vision
describing
the
coming
of
jesus
god's
chosen
king
it
describes
his
coming
down
from
heaven
to
earth
to
bring
justice
and
to
make
just
war
against
his
enemies
to
rule
as
king
over
all
the
nations
all
their
kings
and
rulers
and
in
this
vision
look at
what
john
says
about
his
rule
he
quotes
psalm
2
it
says
he
will
rule
them
with
an
iron
scepter
so
all
of
this
psalm
2
is
pointing
to
jesus
and
his
coming
kingdom
he
is
that
ultimate
king
of
god's
choosing
and
someday
he
will
come
back
he
will
return
he
will
rule
and
reign
in
justice
and
righteousness
over
all
the
ends
of
the
earth
and
so
the
warning
given
here
in
verses
10
and
11
is
not
just
for
king
david's
day
it's
also
for
us
today
as
well
it's
not
just
for
kings
and
rulers
of
the
earth
but
also
for
the
ordinary
citizens
of
earth
as
well
you
and
me
we
have
two
paths
before
us
the
path
of
wisdom
or
the
path
of
foolishness
will
you
serve
the
lord
with
fear
will
you
celebrate
his
rule
with
trembling
will
you
love
and
honor
and
cherish
his
son
will
you
take
refuge
in
him
or
will
you
play
the
fool
and
live
in
rebellion
defiance
or
even
just
apathy
towards
this
king
that
way
will
lead
to
your
destruction
king
jesus
will
come
and
when
he
does
there
will
be
anger
there
will
be
wrath
towards
the
wicked
towards
his
enemies
towards
those
who
have
rejected
him
and
rise
up
against
him
and
so
be
wise
make
him
your
refuge
run
to
him
go
to
him
make
him
your
king
and
your
lord
receive
that
blessing
that
he
promises
i
don't
know
about
you
but
i
want
to
be
a
citizen
in
that
kingdom
i
want
to
celebrate
that
rule
i
want
to
see
righteousness
and
justice
and
peace
on
earth
goodness
in
every
corner
there's
one
more
way
that
this
song
points
us
to
jesus
it
reminds
us
of
his
suffering
after
jesus
had
come
and
gone
his
apostles
were
persecuted
by the
religious
leaders
after
being
arrested
and
threatened
they
finally
released
peter
and
john
and
peter
and
john
went
to
the
other
believers
and
they
all
gathered
together
and
they
had
a
prayer
gathering
they
started
praying
and
this
was
their
prayer
acts
chapter
4
verse
24
they
raised
their
voices
together
in
prayer
to
god
sovereign
lord
they
said
you
made
the
heavens
and
the
earth
and
the
sea
and
everything
in
them
you
spoke
by
the
holy
spirit
through
the
mouth
of
your
servant
our
father
david
why
do
the
nations
rage
and
the
people's
plot
in
vain
the
kings
of
the
earth
rise
up
and
the
rulers
band
together
against
the
lord
and
against
his
anointed
one
indeed
herod
and
pontius
pilot
met
together
with
the
gentiles
and
the
people
of
israel
in
this
city
to
conspire
against
your
holy
servant
jesus
whom
you
anointed
they
did
what
your
power
and
will
had
decided
beforehand
should
happen
and
their
prayer
goes
on
as
peter
and
john
suffered
persecution
what
came
to
mind
it
was
psalm
two
as
they
thought
back
over
all
of
the
heart
wrenching
stuff
that
led
up
to
jesus
death
on
the
cross
what
came
to
mind
it
was
psalm
two
they
said
indeed
it
was
fulfilled
herod
the
king
pontius
pilot
the
roman
ruler
they
met
together
with
the
gentiles
and the
people
of
israel
the
rulers
the
religious
leaders
the
ruling
council
in
this
city
they
conspired
against
your
holy
servant
jesus
the
king
you
had
anointed
and
they
did
what
your
power
and
will
had
decided
beforehand
should
happen
we
heard
it
over
the
past
three
years
as
we
worked
through
the
gospel
of
john
i'm
sure
some
of
you
heard
some
of
this
how
they
hated
jesus
the
religious
leaders
how
they
schemed
and
plotted
about
how
they
might
kill
him
they
boiled
at him
with
jealousy
and
envy
finally
they
found
someone
who
was
willing
to
betray
him
judas
they
falsely
accused
him
of
all
kinds
of
things
gave
him
a
sham
trial
handed
him
over
he
was
mocked
he
was
beaten
he
was
utterly
humiliated
and
shamed
they
manipulated
the
crowds
to
secure
his
death
they
killed
him
and
for
three
long
days
his
disciples
went
through
the
emotions
how
could
this
happen
to
God's
chosen
king
we
thought
he
was
the
Messiah
but
God
saw
all
that
coming
a
thousand
years
before
it
happened
he
knew
that
all
of
their
plots
and
all
of
their
schemes
against
his
anointed
son
Jesus
would
be
in
vain
yes
they
would
kill
him
but
God
would
raise
him
back
to
life
from
the
dead
and
declare
forever
I
have
installed
my
king
on
Zion
my
holy
mountain
so
as we
come to
the
Lord's
table
this
morning
we
partake
with
the
cup
remembering
the
suffering
of
Jesus
how
they
rose
up
against
him
and
his
blood
was
spilled
we
remember
how
it
was
poured
out
according
to
Jesus
for
a
new
deal
with
God
our
forgiveness
and we partake of the bread
which symbolizes Jesus' body
his body which was broken for us
when he died
and there is a sadness that we must carry
every time we reflect on this
he was in such anguish
before the cross
during the cross
right up to the moment that he died
but Psalm 2
reminds us
that from ages past
the attempts of these wicked men
to dethrone God's chosen king
were doomed to fail
God never for a moment felt threatened
or insecure
as they plotted and schemed
and even murdered his son
his son would be king
and nothing could stop it
God would have
the last laugh
and so there is a hopefulness
here at the table
we don't just look back
at what Jesus suffered
we also look ahead
to what is coming
the kingdom
of Christ
this suffering and death
of Jesus
his body and his blood
opened a way
for us to be citizens
in this kingdom
and so we don't just mourn
or grieve as we
take these elements
and remember
we do celebrate
his rule
Jesus even told us
that very night
to look ahead
as we partake of the bread
and the cup
in remembrance of him
listen to his words again
on the night of his betrayal
he took a cup
and when he had given thanks
he gave it to them
saying
drink from it
all of you
this is my blood
of the covenant
which is poured out
for many
for the forgiveness
of sins
I tell you
I will not drink
from this fruit
of the vine
from now on
until that day
when I drink it new
with you
in my father's
kingdom
we're going to take
a moment now
to quietly
reflect and pray
and after we've done that
I'll ask
Charles and Dave
to come forward
and to serve
the bread
and the cup
and if you have
put your trust
in this king
Jesus
and are taking
refuge in him
as your king
then this table
is for you
I invite you
to partake with us
and celebrate with us
and if not
you can simply
let the cup
and the bread
pass you by
let's take a moment
now
to silently
worship
and praise God
for this covenant
this kingdom
that Jesus' death
has opened the way
for
to us
and
to
Thank you.
Father in heaven, we thank you for sending Jesus.
We thank you for suffering and dying for us, Lord Jesus.
For your body which was broken and your blood which was poured out.
For our forgiveness, for our cleansing, for our ransom.
We eat and we drink in remembrance of you and your love for us, your great love for us.
We also eat and drink in anticipation of that day when we will drink this cup anew with you in your kingdom.
To your name be the glory.