“The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against His anointed” (Psalm 2:2).

Scripture points us to a coming superpower conflict, one which pits all the nations of the earth, their rulers, their citizens, and their philosophies against God Almighty, His anointed Son, Jesus Christ (see Acts 4:25,26), and against the Biblical way of life and thought.

In this psalm we find the situation and conflict and its outcome described. Indeed, the world and its systems align themselves in stark opposition to God, rebelling against His authority, thinking they can overcome Him. “Why do the heathen [nations] rage, and the people imagine [that they can accomplish] a vain [impossible] thing?” (v.1). They want to be free of any restraints and in their silly pride have convinced themselves (as their leader Satan did in Isaiah 14:13 and elsewhere) that they can cast down the sovereign God, “saying, let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us” (vv.2,3).

But God is sovereign: “He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the LORD shall have them in derision” (v.4). God is also just, and at the proper time, when all have seen His patience, “then shall He speak unto them in His wrath and vex them in His sore displeasure” (v.5). And He is victorious: “Yet have I set [installed] my king upon my holy hill of Zion” (v.6). This king is none other than His only begotten Son (v.7) who will reign (v.8) and judge (v.9) righteously.

The warning to those who would rebel follows. Not only are we to “Be wise . . . serve the LORD with fear” (vv.10,11), but we must also love and worship Him, “kiss the Son” (v.12). How foolish to respond to His gracious love and wise watchcare in any other way. “Blessed [happy] are all they that put their trust in Him” (v.12). JDM