Delight in God's King

At the entrance to Solomon’s Temple stood two twenty-eight-and-a-half-foot-tall bronze pillars. These pillars were elaborately decorated with capitals in the shape of lilies (1 Kings 7:15–22). Each pillar was given a name: Jachin and Boaz. They served as a grand gateway into the temple where the presence of the Lord dwelled.

In a similar way, Psalms 1 and 2 serve as a sort of gateway. These psalms welcome readers into a special temple of praise, the Psalter. They begin and end with a blessing (1:1; 2:12) and share several keywords. They also introduce the two most prominent themes in the Psalter: God’s law and God’s Messiah.

In Psalm 1, we saw the importance of delighting in God’s Word. In Psalm 2, the focus shifts to God’s King. The Psalm opens with a vivid picture of nations and kings plotting and scheming against God and his anointed King (vv. 1–2). Instead of delighting in God’s rule and in His Word, their deepest desire is to break free from them (v. 3). They view them as chains and shackles instead of life-giving, precious gifts. They want to live by their own standards and answer to no one higher than themselves.

While we might be afraid of what human rulers and nations can do, God is not intimidated: “The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them” (v. 4). God declares that He has given over these nations to His Son and Messiah as an inheritance (vv. 6–8). The Lord warns these hostile nations that their best course of action is to “serve the Lord with fear and celebrate his rule with trembling” (v. 11). True wisdom would be to submit to the rule of God and His Messiah while they have the chance . . . or face judgment (v. 12).

The Psalm closes with a word of blessing upon those who take refuge in the Lord’s Messiah (v. 12). The truly blessed life is found in delighting in God’s Word and trusting in His Messiah, the Lord Jesus to whom one day every knee will bow and tongue confess that He is Lord (Phil. 2:10–11).

Go Deeper

What would it look like for you to take refuge in Jesus? Why do you think taking refuge in Him is the way to the blessed life? What other things are you tempted to turn to as a source of safety and security?

Pray with Us

We thank You, Almighty God, that You are our refuge. You are our strength. In You alone do we find true comfort and peace. When times of trouble come, remind us to turn first to You. Amen.