Psalm 2:1-12 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?… I. THE KING (vers. 6-7). 1. Divinely appointed. "I have set." The Father speaking. 2. Divinely anointed. The name Christ or Messiah signifies anointed. 3. Assured of universal rule (ver. 8). The world belongs to Him. He has created it. He has redeemed it. He shall ultimately possess it. II. MESSIAH'S FOES (vers. 1, 2, 3). The citadel assailed because of its Sovereign; the Church the target of malice and mischief because of the kingly Christ. Crowned heads in general have been sworn enemies of the Lord's anointed. The hostility of these foes is — 1. Deliberate. They "imagine," rather "meditate." 2. Combined. "They take counsel together." 3. Determined. They "set themselves," as fully resolved to accomplish their object. 4. Violent. They "rage." Nothing has ever excited so much hostility as Christ and His Church. III. MESSIAH'S VICTORY (vers. 4, 5). Fourth verse is strikingly metaphorical. The Victor is in the heavens — watching the plots, reading the thoughts, hearing the decisions of His enemies, and He "sitteth" there, serene as the march of stars and suns, calm as the glassy lake locked in the embrace of summer morning. Shall "have them in derision." Their efforts shall result in self-defeat and self-destruction, and help to the realisation of God's own purposes. The devil and his agents often outwit themselves; they mean extinction, but God overrules it for permanent extension. No decree of the Divine government can be frustrated. Truth must prevail. He shall "speak in wrath." His wrath is not vindictiveness, but the recoil of His love; not revenge, but retribution. IV. MESSIAH'S MESSAGE (vers. 10-12). This is a call to — 1. Teachableness. "Be instructed." Learn your folly in opposing the Lord. 2. Service. "Serve the Lord." Do His bidding. Be governed by His laws. 3. Homage. "Kiss the Son." The Eastern mode of showing homage to a king. 4. A call backed by the most weighty reasons: "lest He be angry." (J. O. Keen, D. D,) Parallel Verses KJV: Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?WEB: Why do the nations rage, and the peoples plot a vain thing? |
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