The book of Psalms, chapter 2, is a description of the coming reign of the Messiah and how he shall fight against the kings and rulers of the earth and ultimately overcome them to establish His everlasting kingdom founded upon justice and righteousness. This is because these rulers are responsible for instigating a rebellion against God’s commandments by inciting the people to live in total disregard of God’s laws.
In this lesson, we are going to examine the book of Psalm chapter 2, one verse at a time, in order to establish its meaning as we compare scripture with scripture from both the Old and New Testament. Let’s get started.
What is the meaning of Psalm 2 verses 1, 2, and 3?
Here is what is recorded in Psalm 2:1-3:
“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.’”
This passage is talking about a vain plot by the peoples of the earth, led by their kings and rulers, to oppose God together with His anointed King, that is, the Messiah. The plot entails breaking God’s bonds in pieces and casting His cords away from them.
The term bonds, as used in this context, represents God’s commandments, whereas the term cords represents God’s rules and laws meant to govern a people’s way of life.
So Psalm 2:1-3 paints a picture of a people that has deliberately chosen to break each and every one of God’s commandments and laws. These are people who want nothing to do with God’s laws but instead prefer to pursue worldliness and Satanism. It is a people whose lifestyle is driven by the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life, according to 1 John 2:16-17.
The message recorded in Psalm 2:1-3 is reinforced by the words of the apostles echoed in Acts 4:23-30, which says:
“And being let go, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said, ‘Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea and all that is in them, who by the mouth of Your servant David have said: ‘Why did the nations rage, and the people plot vain things? The kings of the earth took their stand, and the rulers were gathered together against the LORD and against His Christ.’
For truly against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done.
Now, Lord, look to their threats and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word by stretching out Your hand to heal and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.’”
What is the meaning of Psalm 2 verses 4 and 5?
Here is what is recorded in Psalm 2:4-5:
“He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; the Lord shall hold them in derision. Then He shall speak to them in His wrath and distress them in His deep displeasure.”
This scripture describes God’s response towards the people who have chosen to rebel against His commandments and laws. The scripture specifically informs us that God shall laugh them off and in His deep displeasure and wrath, greatly distress them.
These sentiments are echoed in Psalm 37:12-13 and Revelation 6:12-17.
Psalm 37:12-13 says:
“The wicked plots against the just and gnashes at him with his teeth. The Lord laughs at him, for He sees that his day is coming.”
And Revelation 6:12-17 tells us:
“I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood. And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind. Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place.
And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave, and every free man hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains and said to the mountains and rocks, ‘Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?’”
What is the meaning of Psalm 2, verse 6?
Here is what we find recorded in Psalm 2:6:
“Yet I have set My King on My holy hill of Zion.”
This verse is a declaration by God concerning the position of authority that He has made Christ Jesus to occupy in the New Jerusalem.
This coronation is affirmed in Psalm 48:1-2 and Revelation 14:1.
Psalm 48:1-2 says:
“Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in His holy mountain. Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth, is Mount Zion on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.”
Revelation 14:1 says:
“Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father’s name written on their foreheads.”
What is the meaning of Psalm 2, verse 7?
Psalm 2:7 says:
“I will declare the decree: the LORD has said to Me, ‘You are My Son; today I have begotten You.”
In Psalm 2:7, we get the declaration of Christ Jesus as the begotten Son of God. This statement places God as the Father of Christ Jesus.
These sentiments are echoed in Hebrews 1:5-6 and Hebrews 5:5.
Hebrews 1:5-6 says:
“For to which of the angels did He ever say, ‘You are My Son; today I have begotten You?’ And again: ‘I will be to Him a Father, and He shall be to Me a Son?’ But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says, ‘Let all the angels of God worship Him.’”
Hebrews 5:5 tells us:
“So also Christ did not glorify himself to become High Priest, but it was He who said to him, ‘You are My Son; today I have begotten You.’”
What is the meaning of Psalm 2, verse 8?
Psalm 2:8 says:
“Ask of Me, and I will give You the nations for Your inheritance and the ends of the earth for Your possession.”
In this verse, scripture tells us that God will in the near future establish Christ Jesus as ruler over all the nations of the earth and every place under the sun. Similar views are recorded in Psalm 72:7-8 as follows:
“In His days the righteous shall flourish, and an abundance of peace, until the moon is no more. He shall have dominion also from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth.”
What is the meaning of Psalm 2, verse 9?
Here is what the Bible records in Psalm 2:9:
“You shall break them with a rod of iron; you shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel.”
This scripture speaks of how the Christ shall easily defeat the armies of the enemy and completely destroy them from His sight. We read similar sentiments in Psalm 21:8-9, Psalm 110:5-6, Daniel 2:44, and Revelation 19:15.
In Psalm 21:8-9 we find these words:
“Your hand will find all your enemies; your right hand will find those who hate you. You shall make them as a fiery oven in the time of Your anger; the LORD shall swallow them up in His wrath, and the fire shall devour them.”
In Psalm 110:5-6, the Bible records the following words:
“The Lord is at Your hand; He shall execute kings in the day of His wrath. He shall judge among the nations; He shall fill the places with dead bodies; He shall execute the heads of many countries.”
In Daniel 2:44, we find these words:
“And in the days of these kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed, and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.”
Revelation 19:11-15 says:
“Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called the Word of God.
And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.”
What is the meaning of Psalm 2 verses 10 and 11?
In Psalm 2:10-11, the Bible records the following:
“Now therefore, be wise, O kings; be instructed, you judges of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.”
This verse points us to a time in the near future after God has established Christ Jesus as ruler over the earth that all the kings and judges of the earth shall come and pay homage or tribute to Him. Similar sentiments are echoed in Psalm 72:10-11, Isaiah 52:15, and Isaiah 60:3.
Psalm 72:10-11 says:
“The kings of Tarshish and of the isles will bring presents; the kings of Sheba and Seba will offer gifts. Yes, all kings shall fall down before him; all nations shall serve him.”
Isaiah 52:15 says:
“So shall he sprinkle many nations. Kings shall shut their mouths at him; for what had not been told them they shall see, and what they had not heard they shall consider.”
Isaiah 60:3 says:
“The Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.”
End of lesson.
I hope this is helpful. God bless you.
Related Post: What does Psalms 1 verse 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 mean or teach us?
Also Read: How does the Bible describe Jesus Christ?
Prayer to get born again
Are you willing to become born again? Say the following prayer sincerely:
“Lord Jesus, I confess that I am a sinner and hereby ask for your forgiveness.
I believe in my heart and confess with my mouth that you are the only begotten Son of the living God.
I believe that you were sent by your Father to the earth to save sinners like me.
I believe that you died and resurrected in order for me to receive eternal life.
I now accept you as my personal Lord and Savior.
Come into my heart and baptize me with the Holy Spirit.
Thank you for saving me.
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,
Amen!”
Congratulations, friend! You are now a born-again Christian!
Welcome to the family of God!
Kindly consider supporting our work buy buying us a coffee: Click here
My name is Nicodemus. I'm a Kenyan by birth. I got saved over 30 years ago while in high school.
I love studying scriptures in order to enhance my comprehension of God and His plan for mankind.
I have an MBA degree in strategic management and a BSc degree in botany and zoology.
I’m married to a loving lady called Leah. God has gifted us three sons: Wayne, Salem, and Michael.
- What does Psalm chapter 127 verses 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 mean in the Bible? Unless the LORD builds the house - December 23, 2024
- What does Psalm chapter 4 verses 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 mean in the Bible? Scripture Study - December 20, 2024
- What does Psalm 3 verses 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 mean in the Bible? Lessons for us - December 17, 2024