Rebellion or Refuge Psalm 2

Psalm 1 [NIV] Blessed is the one     who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take     or sit in the company of mockers, 2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,     and who meditates on his law day and night. 3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,     which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither – whatever they do prospers. 4 Not so the wicked!     They are like chaff that the wind blows away. 5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,     nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. 6 For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,     but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.

Why do the nations conspire [rage] and the peoples plot [meditate] in vain? 2 The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together     against the Lord and against his anointed, saying, 3 ‘Let us break their chains and throw off their shackles.’ 4 The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. 5 He rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying, 6 ‘I have installed my king on Zion, my holy mountain.’ 7 I will proclaim the Lord’s decree: He said to me, ‘You are my son; today I have become your father. [begotten you] 8 Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance,     the ends of the earth your possession. 9 You will break [rule] them with a rod of iron;     you will dash them to pieces like pottery.’ 10 Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. 11 Serve the Lord with fear and celebrate his rule with trembling. 12 Kiss his son, or he will be angry and your way will lead to your destruction, for his wrath can flare up in a moment.     Blessed are all who take refuge in him. [NIV]

The Nations (v 1-3) Why do the nations conspire [rage] and the peoples plot [meditate] in vain? vain? 2 The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the LORD and against his anointed, saying, 3 ‘Let us break their chains and throw off their shackles.’

The Lord (v 4-6) 4 The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. 5 He rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying, 6 ‘I have installed my king on Zion, my holy mountain.’

7 I will proclaim the Lord’s decree: The King (v 7-9) 7 I will proclaim the Lord’s decree: He said to me, ‘You are my son; today I have become your father. [have begotten you] 8 Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance,     the ends of the earth your possession. 9 You will break [rule] them with a rod of iron;     you will dash them to pieces like pottery.’

4. The Psalm writer (v 10-12) 10 Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. 11 Serve the Lord with fear and celebrate his rule with trembling. 12 Kiss his son, or he will be angry and your way will lead to your destruction, for his wrath can flare up in a moment.     Blessed are all who take refuge in him. [Blessed are all who put their trust in him.]

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