Psalm 2 (C, R, Y)

[Josh]

Psalm 2 (C, R)

1 Why do the nations conspire
and the peoples plot in vain?

2 The kings of the earth take their stand
and the rulers gather together
against the LORD
and against his Anointed One.

3 "Let us break their chains," they say,
"and throw off their fetters."

4 The One enthroned in heaven laughs;
the Lord scoffs at them.

5 Then he rebukes them in his anger
and terrifies them in his wrath, saying,

6 "I have installed my King [c]
on Zion, my holy hill."

7 I will proclaim the decree of the LORD :
He said to me, "You are my Son [d] ;
today I have become your Father. [e]

8 Ask of me,
and I will make the nations your inheritance,
the ends of the earth your possession.

9 You will rule them with an iron scepter [f] ;
you will dash them to pieces like pottery."

10 Therefore, you kings, be wise;
be warned, you rulers of the earth.

11 Serve the LORD with fear
and rejoice with trembling.

12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry
and you be destroyed in your way,
for his wrath can flare up in a moment.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

This is a great example of the typology of prophecy. This Psalm is about the installation of David on the throne of Israel- he is the anointed one in this passage, the "Son". But this passage points beyond David to another ruler who will indeed have posession of the 'ends of the earth' and take posession of the nations- Jesus.

Being typology, it can only be seen to be ultimately about Christ in hindsight. Thus, the predictive nature of this passage is somewhat diminished, but it's value for the writers of the New Testament was huge- this is one the most used Psalms in the New Testament because it illustrates not only the conspiracy against Jesus as God's anointed Son but also His eventual triumph over his enemies and his presding as Judge over all men.

Plus, I love the phrase "Kiss the Son"

[Josh]

Oh, and apparently this was considered Messianic by the rabbis before the time of Christ:

"There is ample evidence in rabbinic writings that this is a Messianic psalm. The great Messianic Jewish scholar, Dr. Alfred Edersheim, in his classic work The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah, documents this fact. In Appendix 9 of that work, he lists one complete page of rabbinic quotes and references attesting to the fact that Psalm 2 is a Messianic psalm. Rev. Tom Huckel in his book The Rabbinic Messiah lists 14 rabbinic quotes attesting to the Messianic nature of Psalm 2.

Psalm 2 is one of the most quoted psalms in the New Testament supporting the Messiahship of Jesus. The first-century Jewish believers were taught by the rabbis that Psalm 2 spoke of the Messiah."

hadavar.org/Psalm_2_11.html