Psalm 2

1 Why are the nations so angry? Why do they waste their time with futile plans?

2 The kings of the earth prepare for battle; the rulers plot together against the Lord and against his anointed one.

3 “Let us break their chains,” they cry, “and free ourselves from slavery to God.”

4 But the one who rules in heaven laughs. The Lord scoffs at them.

5 Then in anger he rebukes them, terrifying them with his fierce fury.

6 For the Lord declares, “I have placed my chosen king on the throne in Jerusalem, on my holy mountain.”

7 The king proclaims the Lord’s decree: “The Lord said to me, ‘You are my son. Today I have become your Father.

8 Only ask, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance, the whole earth as your possession.

9 You will break them with an iron rod and smash them like clay pots.’”

10 Now then, you kings, act wisely! Be warned, you rulers of the earth!

11 Serve the Lord with reverent fear, and rejoice with trembling.

12 Submit to God’s royal son, or he will become angry, and you will be destroyed in the midst of all your activities—for his anger flares up in an instant. But what joy for all who take refuge in him! (NLT)

PSALM 2 REASSURES US of God’s eventual victory over all evil. The end result is never in question, and because we belong to him, that victory is ours too. But the corollary is that anyone who belongs to Jesus Christ will also get Christ’s enemies in the bargain.

That’s what this psalm is about: the enemies of the Christ. Christ is Greek for the Hebrew “anointed one.” The nations and kings of the earth hate him. Just as the Christ delights in and meditates on God’s law, his enemies meditate on how to overthrow him and his God. While he prays for God’s Kingdom to come, they pray for God’s. Kingdom to be overthrown.

This primal conflict is never far from the Psalms, and those who pray the Psalms are usually engaged in spiritual warfare. There are unseen powers behind the thrones of this world, darker and more malevolent than the darkest powers we know.

Psalm 2 not only assures us of the outcome of the battle; it also shows us how to fight the battle—in prayer.

“Let us break their chains,” they cry, “and free ourselves from slavery to God.” (3)

This is the battle cry of all God’s enemies. The freedom that comes from obedience seems like slavery to them, so they rebel.

Confess brazen rebellion in your own spirit. Confess the rebellious audacity of your community, your nation, even your church.

For the Lord declares, “I have placed my chosen king on the throne in Jerusalem, on my holy mountain.” (6)

Declare the Lord Christ’s sovereignty in your heart. Praise him that God has appointed him ruler over all creation, that every tongue will confess that he is Lord, and that every knee will bow to him in heaven and on earth and under the earth to the glory of God.*

Only ask, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance, the whole earth as your possession. (8)

The nations are the Father’s to give to his Son—and to his church! Christ’s command that his people make disciples of all nations flows directly from the message of Psalm 2. The warfare of this psalm is no less than the battle to preach the gospel to the nations and to win the obedience of faith from all peoples.

This is a very big psalm—and so is the mission of the church to share in the victory it promises: Christ’s victory!

Stand before a map or globe and lay your hands on the nations represented there. Pray that Christ’s victory will be complete and that you and your church will play your part in that victory. Let the weight and urgency of the gospel move you to prayer for the lost—and to be a bold witness for Christ.

*Philippians 2:10-11