Psalm 2

Man's Schemes Against God's Plan

Virtual Pastor

In our study of Psalm 2, we will look at the rebellious man and the origin and outcome of his schemes against God. In Psalm 1, we saw how the blessed (happy) man lives and what happens when he rebels against God. Now, we will see what happens when rebellious men get together and try to replace God.

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Psalm 2:1


Why are the nations in an uproar, the peoples grumbling in vain?


God is asking this question and we see that the rebellion has spread from one man (Adam) to many men. They put their heads together and come up with a plan to glorify themselves instead of God. We see the first example of this in Genesis 11 with the record of the Tower of Babel.

Psalm 2:2


The earth’s kings are taking positions, leaders conspiring together, against Adonai and his anointed.


Here, we see that it is a combination of the political leaders (kings) and religious leaders (rulers). They join together to try to replace God. The first example of this happened when Herod and Pilate joined with the Jewish leaders to crucify Jesus. Today, this happens in many countries around the world as governments and religious leaders get together to try to stop the spread of the good news of Jesus Christ the Son of the living God. We also see, in Revelation 13, that it is going to happen again in the future.

Psalm 2:3


They cry, “Let’s break their fetters! Let’s throw off their chains!”


This plan revolves around a false idea of freedom as they seek to cast off God's laws (the Ten Commandments). We first saw this, in Genesis 3, when Adam and Eve disregarded the one rule that God gave them. We see it today in varying degrees from a ban on the public display of the Ten Commandments to a twisting of God's Word for personal gain.

Psalm 2:4


He who sits in heaven laughs; Adonai looks at them in derision.


God the Father is in heaven watching the schemes of man and here we get to see His reaction to them. He laughs but it is not a laugh because of something is funny. Instead, it is a sort of chuckle at just how ridiculous the idea is that man knows better than God. We all must admit that many times we kinda say to God "I got this" instead of turning everything over to Him and His will. This is much like a little kid putting on a parent's clothes and saying that they are going to go to work in the parent's place. The parent, like God, will probably just give a chuckle and shake of the head.

Psalm 2:5 & 6


Then in his anger he rebukes them, terrifies them in his fury. “I myself have installed my king on Tziyon, my holy mountain.”


God puts up with our ignorance for a time but His next reaction is judgment as Jesus returns to the earth. These events are described in Revelation 14.

Psalm 2:7


“I will proclaim the decree: Adonai said to me, ‘You are my son; today I became your father.


God proclaimed that Jesus was His Son when Jesus came up out of the water after being baptized. The fact was displayed in the resurrection when the Father took His Son to be with Him.

Psalm 2:8 & 9


Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance; the whole wide world will be your possession. You will break them with an iron rod, shatter them like a clay pot.’”


God has decreed that all of the earth belongs to Jesus Christ. He rules today and will rule forever. Those that accept Him as Lord and Savior, will be His but those that do not will be judged. We see a picture of this in Revelation 5 where John saw the Lamb opening the scroll which is the deed to all of creation.

Psalm 2:10-12


Therefore, kings, be wise; be warned, you judges of the earth. Serve Adonai with fear; rejoice, but with trembling. Kiss the son, lest he be angry, and you perish along the way, when suddenly his anger blazes. How blessed are all who take refuge in him.


Because of God's decree concerning Jesus, the rulers and all people are given a choice. They can embrace Jesus and be blessed or they can suffer the wrath that is to come. This is a reminder to us today that there is only one way to be saved from this coming wrath and that is through God's Son who is Jesus. It is getting more and more politically incorrect to say it but it is just as true today as it was in the day that Psalm two was written.

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