Psalm 2, today's reading, is one of two psalms that introduce the Book of Psalms.- Psalm 1 tells us that this collection of worship poems, first used by individuals and worship leaders in the service of God in Israel, have now been put together to be read as "Torah"—God's instruction to his people.
- Psalm 2 gives us the content of this divine instruction. Though the world rages against God and his ways, the Lord reigns, and will install his Messiah on the throne. This Anointed King, the "Son of God," will receive the whole world and all its nations as his inheritance, and he will put the world to rights. The psalm concludes by calling everyone to bow down before this King and take refuge in him.
Why do the nations conspire,
and the peoples plot in vain?
The kings of the earth set themselves,
and the rulers take counsel together,
against the Lord and his anointed, saying,
‘Let us burst their bonds asunder,
and cast their cords from us.’
He who sits in the heavens laughs;
the Lord has them in derision.
Then he will speak to them in his wrath,
and terrify them in his fury, saying,
‘I have set my king on Zion, my holy hill.’
I will tell of the decree of the Lord:
He said to me, ‘You are my son;
today I have begotten you.
Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage,
and the ends of the earth your possession.
You shall break them with a rod of iron,
and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.’
Now therefore, O kings, be wise;
be warned, O rulers of the earth.
Serve the Lord with fear,
with trembling kiss his feet,
or he will be angry, and you will perish in the way;
for his wrath is quickly kindled.
Happy are all who take refuge in him.2356891112
Joy to the world!
The Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King!
Let ev'ry heart prepare Him room,
And heav'n and nature sing!
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