1.0 Statement

Psalm 2 is called the Messianic Psalm because it speaks of the Person and Work of our Lord Jesus Christ. The question may be asked: “How can we recognise a Messianic Psalm?”  The answer would be where there is a reference to the Messiah in a Psalm, and it is applied to Christ and expounded in the New Testament.

• Sometimes a whole Psalm applies to Christ for example, Psalm 22.
• Sometimes a paragraph for example, Psalm 40:6-10.
• Sometimes several verses for example, Psalm 69:4, 9,21.
• Sometimes a single verse for example, Psalm 41:9.

It is obvious that some of the Psalms are occupied entirely with the Person, the thoughts, and feelings of our Lord Jesus, while others clearly refer to the experience of the Psalmist, and then there is included an isolated reference to the Messiah. Psalm 69 is an example. David exclaims: “O God, You knows my foolishness, and my sins are not hid from Thee,” he (David) obviously is referring to himself in Psalm 69:5. But when he (David) says: “They gave Me…..gall for My meat; and in My thirst they gave Me vinegar to drink” (Psalm 69:21), these words are applied to Christ in Matthew 27:34-48, they are clearly Messianic.

So, we must be careful to distinguish between the spiritual experience of the Writer of the Psalm and the Prophetic Reference to Christ Himself. While keeping in mind this rule, that a quotation in the New Testament from a Psalm, which applies it to the Lord Jesus, confirmed it as Messianic, there are three Psalms which are exceptions. They are obviously Messianic but are not quoted in the New Testament:

• Psalm 24 Speaks of the King of Glory.
• Psalm 72 Outlines the Millennial Reign of Christ.
• Psalm 89 Expounds the Davidic Covenant fulfilled by David’s greater Son, the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ.

It is noted that the reference to the Messiah in the Psalms (16 numbers) do not follow the sequence or in chronological order. Psalm 2 is an introduction to the whole collection, giving the Prophetic Outline of the Glories of the Messiah. Psalm 40 refers to His (Christ’s) Incarnation; Psalm 22 to His Crucifixion; Psalm 16 to His (Christ’s) Resurrection. The Writer (R/S) rearranged the Sixteen Messianic Psalms in Chronological Order, for impact:

1. Psalm 2 – The Glory of the Eternal Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
2. Psalm 40 – The Incarnation of the Lord Jesus Christ.
3. Psalm 91 – The Temptation of the Lord Jesus Christ.
4. Psalm 41 – The Betrayal, by Judas Iscariot, on the Lord Jesus Christ.
5. Psalm 22 – The Crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ.
6. Psalm 69 – The Trespass Offering of the Lord Jesus Christ.
7. Psalm 16 – The Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.
8. Psalm 68 – The Ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ.
9. Psalm 45 – The King-Bridegroom.
10. Psalm 24 – The King of Glory, the Lord Jesus Christ.
11. Psalm 110 – The Priest-King-Judge, the Lord Jesus Christ.
12. Psalm 8 – The Last Adam, the Lord Jesus Christ (1Corinthians 15:45).
13. Psalm 72 – The Millennial Reign of the Lord Jesus Christ (Revelation chapter 20).
14. Psalm 89 – The Davidic Covenant, Jesus, David’s Greater Son (Revelation 22:16b).
15. Psalm 102 – The Unchangeable One, the Lord Jesus Christ.
16. Psalm 118 – The Headstone of the Corner, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Psalm 2 has no Superscription or Title. Psalm 1 and Psalm 2 are linked together in the Hebrew Bible. They are an Introduction and a Preface to the Psalms as a whole. It alerts us to the fact that here we are not only dealing with our Devotional Life and Personal Destiny (Psalm 1), but also with the whole Purpose of God in History and the Destiny of the Nation of Israel and the World (Psalm 2). 

No	Psalm 1	Psalm 2
1	Psalm 1 begins with “the blessed,” the beatitudes (Psalm 1:1)	Psalm 2 ends with “the blessed,” the beatitude (Psalm 2:12)
2	Psalm 1 gives us God’s Word as the Conceptual Framework for our Mediation.	Psalm 2 gives us the movement of that Word in History and its Interpretive Key: “Yet I have set My King upon My Holy Mountains.
3	Psalm 1 deals with the Word.	Psalm 2 deals with the World.
4	Psalm 1 contrasts the Righteous with the Ungodly.	Psalm 2 contrasts the Nations with their Divine Ruler.
5	Psalm 1 deals with the Personal Life.	Psalm 2 deals with the Historical Life.
6	Psalm 1 deals with the Individual.	Psalm 2 deal with the Universal.

Together (Psalm 1 and Psalm 2) form an admirable introduction to the whole 150 Psalms.  There is a certain correspondence between the Psalm 1 and Psalm 2 – in both the main idea and shows the conflict between the Righteous and the Wicked:

1. Psalm 1 sets forth this conflict by a contrast between two types of Individuals. Psalm 2 shows the two Kingdoms of Light and Darkness, engaged in their internecine (mutually, destructive, and deadly) conflict.
2. Psalm 1 deals with the two Ways for an Individual’s Life and Psalm 2 sets forth the two Ways for Nations and Peoples.
3. Psalm 1 speaks of the two Ways of Man, measured by relationship to God’s Word {Law} and Psalm 2 speaks of the two Ways, measured by relationship to God’s Son, the Lord Jesus Christ:
   • Psalm 1 – “The Counsel of the Ungodly” (Psalm 1:1).
   • Psalm 2 – “The Council Chambers of the Ungodly” (Psalm 2:1-2).
   • Psalm 1 – “The Counsel of God – The Law (God’s Word – Psalm 1:2).
   • Psalm 2 – “The Throne of God (Psalm 2:6).
4. The Typologies as shown in Psalm 1 and Psalm 2, in comparison and in contrast:
   • In Psalm 1 we see Christ’s Moral Glory and in Psalm 2 we see Christ’s Divine Glory.
   • In Psalm 1 we see Christ’s Humanity, the Happy Man, occupied with the Law {Word} of God, a Tree, and Rivers and in Psalm 2 we see Christ’s Deity, The King, ruling the Nations with a rod of iron.
5. Psalm 2 is considered as the Messianic Psalm – The word “Anointed” in Psalm 2:2 means “Messiah” in the Hebrew and “Christ” in the Greek. When Paul preached to the Jews of Antioch in Pisida, he cited Psalm 2:7 in (Acts 13:33). This is the only numbered reference to any Old Testament passage, in the New Testament. The New Testament Writers (Peter and Paul) interpreted Psalm 2 “The LORD’s Anointed” to Jesus Christ (Acts 4:25-27; Acts 13:33).
6. Psalm 2 is quoted Seven Times in the New Testament:
   • Twice in the Book of Acts (Acts 4:24-28; Acts 13:33).
   • Twice in the Book of Hebrews (Hebrews 1:5; Hebrews 5:5).
   • Three times in the Book of Revelation (Revelation 2:7; Revelation 12:5; Revelation 19:15).
   • All these references are applied to the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ, giving us our authority for calling Psalm 2, “The Messianic Psalm.”
7. There are Four Official Messianic Titles used in Psalm 2
   • The Anointed (Psalm 2;2; Acts 4:26,27).
   • My King (Psalm 2:6).
   • My Son (Psalm 2:7; Acts 13:33; Hebrews 1:5; Hebrews 5:5).
   • The LORD (Psalm 2:11).
8. King David is the Author of Psalm 2 – Psalm 2:1 “Why do the heathen rage, and the peoples imagine a vain thing?” –  Acts 4:25 “Who, by the mouth of thy Servant, David, hast said, why did the heathen rage, and the peoples imagine vain things?”  Paul also confirmed it as Psalm 2 – Psalm 2:7 “I will declare the decree: The LORD hath said unto me, Thou art My Son; this day have I begotten Thee.” – Acts 13:33 “God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that He hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the Second Psalm, Thou art My Son, this day have I begotten Thee.”

Psalm 2 has 12 Verses, divided into four Sections of three Verses each. There are four Speakers, one in each Section:

• The Rebels Speak – Man in Revolt (Psalm 2:1-3).
• The Father Speaks – God in His Wrath (Psalm 2:4-6).
• The Revelation of the Son (Psalm 2:7-9).
• The Spirit’s Call to Submission (Psalm 2:10-12).

It is the Answer of the Triune God to the Anarchy of Human Race.

1.1 Man’s Rebellion

The Opening Psalm 2:1-3, describes the actions of ungodly men, in general and specific terms and with progressively more detail.

• The Psalmist indicts the Nations and the People in Psalm 2:1.
• The Psalmist indicts the Leaders of the People in Psalm 2:2.

Their deeds are described in Psalm 2:1 as generally mad and futile but are narrowed down in Psalm 2:2 to a specific plot to overthrow God and His Christ (Anointed).

Psalm 2:3 gives the details of this evil plot – Psalm 2:1-3 “Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The Kings of the earth set themselves, and the Rulers take counsel together against the LORD, and against His Anointed, saying: Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.”

1.         The Question – The Questions Psalm 2:1“Why do the Heathen rage, and the People imagine a vain thing?”  are rhetorical not analytical; for any revolt against God is regarded as baseless. The Collective Power of Nations and People can only plot in vain. The point of the questions is to demonstrate the absurdity of those who would rebel against the Rulership of the Almighty. Their Rebellion was against God and His Christ. 

2.         The Application – Psalm 2:1-3 “Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The Kings of the earth set themselves, and the Rulers take counsel together against the LORD, and against His Anointed, saying: Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.” – Apostle Peter applies the words in Psalm 2:1-3 to the Crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ, in Acts 4:27-28: “For of a truth against Thy Holy Child Jesus whom Thou hast Anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the People of Israel, were gathered together, for to do whatever Thy hand and Thy Counsel determined before to be done.”  This is the Primary Application of Psalm 2:1-3, but it has the Prophetic Application as well. Here we have a fourfold Coalition of Power united against Almighty God and His Christ:

• The Nations – The whole world organised against the Lord Jesus in deliberate opposition to His Rule – “The Kings of the earth set themselves (draw themselves up in array), and the Rulers take counsel together against the LORD, and against His Anointed.”
• Israel – The “People,” the Nation of Israel.
• Government, Gentile Organised Government represented by Herod.
• Judicial Power represented by Pontius Pilate.

The Confederacy (the Nations, Israel, Government, and Judicial Power) at the Cross of Jesus Christ, foreshadows another at the End of the Age. They imagined “a vain thing,” that they can overthrow God! The words “take counsel” and “set themselves” indicate the deliberate adoption of the policy, the passing of the resolution. It is the overthrow of Law and Order, the underwriting of the hardened outburst against God.

3.         Five Resistance – Five forms of Resistance to the Rulership of God’s Anointed (Christ) are indicated – Psalm 2:1-2 “Why do the Nations rage, and the People plot a vain thing? The Kings of the Earth set themselves and the Rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, let us break their bonds in pieces and cast away their cords from us.”

• Raging – Tumultuous Agitation, as when waves of ocean are lashed to fury (Psalm 2:1a).
• Imagining (Psalm 2:1b)– Meditating (same word as in Psalm 1:2). Turning over and over in the mind some Plan of Opposition. The same Hebrew word lies behind the “meditate” of Psalm 1:2 as the word “imagine” in Psalm 2:1. Whereas the Godly Person uses his mental energy delighting in God’s Word, the Ungodly Leaders use theirs to plot against God’s rule. This description of the unfortunate and uninformed state of the unregenerate mind is not unique to 1000 B.C. when David lived. The same thought patterns prevail openly today.
• Setting themselves – The Result of the Meditation in the Resolution, in opposition.
• Taking Counsel Together – For Combined and Concerted Action, of the fourfold Coalition of Powers (Nations, Israel, Government {Gentiles}, Judicial).
• Saying, etc – Agitation, meditation, resolution, concerted actions taking effect in a verbal utterance: Psalm 2:3 “Let break their bands asunder and cast away their cords from us.” The World is at Enmity with God, and Rulers and ruled alike seek to escape God’s Demands on our lives. The People of the Work seeks to outwit the Creator {God} and to undo the Mission of the Lord Jesus Christ.

4.         Breaking the Bands

Psalm 2:3 “Let us break their bands asunder and cast away their cords from us.” – The rebellious People wanted to be free from God’s Restraining Goodness because they wanted to do the things in their own manner, ridding of themselves of all restraints.

• The rebellious Coalition of Four (Nations, Israel, Government, Judiciary), chafed at them, fret against them, and, in the last resort – so far as their will goes – wholly throw them of.
• “Bands” and “cords” are the fetters that restrain. The Law of God restraints our evil ways of which the four Coalition Powers, desire to cast off and assert their absolute freedom – Psalm 2:3 “Let us break their bonds in pieces and cast away their cords from us.”
• The Heathen Rage and constantly devises ways to thwart God’s Purposes, of the Law of God, the Bible, and all Principles concerning morals, marriage, and relationships, etc., are to be rejected.
• Man is the Maker of his own destiny and “situation ethics” is to be the rule of life. All bands and cords of their relationship and responsibilities with God are to be thrown away; modern man is to be liberated from all restraint.?
• Even today there are straws in the wind which indicate what will happen at the End of the Age, when all the restraints are down. – 2Thessalonians 2:9 “The coming of the Lawless One (Antichrist) is according to the working of Satan, with all power, sings and lying wonders.”  
• It starts in the home where the child instead of the Parents rule. It continues in the school, where it is illegal to discipline with the rod, and where the evolution and Hegelian (hedonism – pleasure seeking) philosophy is taught by Apostate Teachers.
• It increases in the social sphere, where the gay generation openly claims license for unnatural sex, abortion has been legalised in some countries. And unisex breaks down the distinction between man and woman.

If these things take place while the Holy Spirit Restraints (2Thessalonians 2:7), what will it be when He (Holy Spirit) is removed? Today the Mystery of Iniquity is already working, but it will be revealed in all its lurid (explicit) wickedness when the avalanche breaks forth.

• Story – The French Revolution of 1798 was a little foretaste of it, when a harlot was enthroned in Notre Dame, and again in 1917 after the Bolshevik Revolution, when millions were liquidated, and godless atheism took over.
• Psalm 2 points forward to that day when the Satanic Trinity (Satan, Antichrist, and false Prophet), the two wild Beasts of Revelation 13, backed by the Devil himself, will proclaim a decree prohibiting the Worship of God and His Christ, our Lord Jesus Christ (2Thessalonians 2:3-4; Revelation 13:4-8: Revelation 12:17). Those who refuse to obey, to carry his mark, and to worship the image of the “Man of Sin” will be executed. This will be the climax of the work of the organised World Powers and the final fulfilment of the first Section (Psalm 2:1-3) of Psalm 2.

To be Continued….. Stay Tuned…..

• Jesus