“Blessed Are All Nations” from the lesson series Royal Psalms, October 2021
our Scripture
Why do the nations rebel
and the peoples plot in vain?
2 The kings of the earth take their stand,
and the rulers conspire together
against the Lord and His Anointed One:
3 “Let us tear off their chains
and free ourselves from their restraints.”4 The One enthroned in heaven laughs;
the Lord ridicules them.
5 Then He speaks to them in His anger
and terrifies them in His wrath:
6 “I have consecrated My King
on Zion, My holy mountain.”7 I will declare the Lord’s decree:
He said to Me, “You are My Son;
today I have become Your Father.
8 Ask of Me,
and I will make the nations Your inheritance
and the ends of the earth Your possession.
9 You will break them with a rod of iron;
You will shatter them like pottery.”10 So now, kings, be wise;
receive instruction, you judges of the earth.
11 Serve the Lord with reverential awe
and rejoice with trembling.
12 Pay homage to the Son or He will be angry
and you will perish in your rebellion,
for His anger may ignite at any moment.
All those who take refuge in Him are happy.Psalm 2:1-12 NET
| Psalm 2:1-12 NASB | Psalm 2:1-12 NIV | Psalm 2:1-12 NLT | Psalm 2:1-12 NCV |
Psalm 2:1-12 MESSAGE |
| Psalm 2:1-12 KJV |
Psalm 2:1-12 NKJV |
Psalm 2:1-12 HCSB |
Psalm 2:1-12 ESV |
Psalm 2:1-12 RVA60 |
our Lesson
In some ways, the Messianic Psalms are a devotional delight. They allow us to focus on an aspect of the Messiah or His kingdom with either a magnifying glass or a telescope. Psalms invite us to make an application that has been tailored just to fit our form and life.
Let’s look at a powerful example of a Messianic Psalm, the second Psalm. Examining this psalm will give us some insights into the kind of language we will meet throughout our study.
While the Nations Rage
The psalm begins with a haunting question, one that thinking believers ask in their hearts if not from their lips. “Why do the nations rage?” A distinguishing mark of Hebrew poetry appears in the opening verses. The contrast between the ways of the nations and the way of God is brought into the light for us to consider.
Christian singer/songwriter Rich Mullins asked the question in the opening words to his song, “While the Nations Rage,”
Why do the nations rage?
Why do they plot and scheme?
The nations represent those who are opposed to God’s people and plans. The antagonism toward God runs deep in many people. Studies have been done to determine why people are opposed to the faith. A few common threads include:
- Growing up in a faithless family. One study showed that 32% of all atheists said they grew up in a home that did not believe in God. It is difficult to break trends that are established and engrained early in life.
- College experiences. Many atheists determined that teachers and lifestyles at college emphasized the irrelevance of God. The attitude also caused many to doubt the intellectual validity of God’s existence.
- Difficult life questions. Circumstances in life cause philosophical and intellectual questions to be pondered. Many cannot find answers so they turn away from faith. Some of the examples of these questions include:
- “If God is so loving, why is there evil in the world?”
- “If God created the world in six days, what about evolution and dinosaurs?”
- “Why would a good God send people to hell?”
- “I prayed hard and bad things (death of spouse, etc) happened anyway.”
- Sexual issues. Surveys show that the amount of sexual abuse within church leadership has caused many to leave the church. Others have left because of the negative teachings and treatment regarding homosexuality. They see these Christians as too mean and judgmental.
- Political issues. Some stay away from God because they believe that Christians are too into politics. Many sense that Christians have selected political issues over character.
Paul tells Titus to “make the teaching about God our Savior attractive” (Titus 2:10). To the Colossians, he advises, “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone” (Colossians 4:6).
The apostles and the early church saw this psalm as predicting how the world would reject Jesus. The psalm was recorded in one of their prayers, seeing Calvary as the fulfillment. Both Herod (Jewish leadership) and Pilate (Roman leadership) are mentioned. Both the Gentiles and the Israelites come under criticism.
Listen to the chorus of the same Rich Mullins’ song.
Where are the nails that pierced His hands?
Well the nails have turned to rust
But behold the Man
He is risen
And He reigns
In the hearts of the children
Rising up in His name
Where are the thorns that drew His blood?
Well, the thorns have turned to dust
But not so the love
He has given
No, it remains
In the hearts of the children
Who will love while the nations rage
What should be our response “when the nations rage?” Many theologians see a biblical truth that the powers of this political world will “set themselves against the true Lord of the universe.” How do we continue to show love when the world is violently opposed to God and His ways?
As we look at Messianic psalms, expect to see the trouble presented to God and the gospel by leaders of the nations of the world.
You Are My Son
The New Testament teaches the wrath against man is harnessed to redemption. God’s plan confounds the wise (1 Corinthians 1:20) and triumphs over the arrogant (Colossians 2:15, Revelation 11:18, Revelation 18:20). The only laughing matter is the arrogance.
Verses six and seven are the centerpiece of the psalm. The anointing of the King is a process known to Israel from the days of King Saul. Some theologians see significance in the use of the term “Zion” instead of Jerusalem. Many see Zion as a term carrying more eternal significance.
David’s king ruled in Zion, God’s chosen dwelling place (Psalm 132, Deuteronomy 12:14-18). God had sanctified the city by His presence. The people understood that God could not be limited to a city, but saw this holy hill as the location of His throne. Indeed the earth was God’s footstool (1 Kings 8:27) as was Zion (1 Chronicles 28:2, Psalm 99:5, Lamentations 2:1, Matthew 5:35). Zion expresses the hope of the people of the covenant, reminding them of the promises made to David.
This language and imagery is fluid in the psalms. Consider the words of Psalm 18.
For this I will praise you, O Lord,
Among the nations, and sing to your name.
Great salvation he brings to his king,
And shows steadfast love to his anointed,
To David and his offspring forever (Psalm 18:49-50 ESV).
The decree of the Almighty God announces a special relationship with this King. He is by birth and by promise the son of God. His commission is to make the reign of God visible to those on the earth. Jesus is the Messiah, the “Son” of God by the Father’s booming message (Matthew 3:17, Mark 1:11, Luke 3:22). He is seated at the right hand of the Father, the position of authority and enthronement (Acts 2:33 and Hebrews 1:3).
The psalms will affirm this reign and further our understanding.
Kiss the Son
One of the marks of Hebrew poetry is the incredible imagery it creates. Verse twelve provides for us one of those amazing pictures. The term “kissing” is common in the Bible, with the verbs and nouns occurring about 50 times in the Scriptures.
Of the references, here are some interesting facts.
- 93% of kissing happens outside of marriage
- 73% of kissing happens between two men
- There is one reference to kissing an idol (Hosea 13:2)
- Jesus was kissed twice – one a sign of devotion, one a sign of betrayal
Another psalm creates a vivid imagery regarding kissing. The 85th Psalm is considered a psalm of the sons of Korah.
Surely his salvation is near those who fear him,
That his glory may dwell in our land.
Love and faithfulness meet together;
Righteousness and peace kiss each other (Psalm 85:9-10 NIV).
The culture of the Bible created a picture of the kiss that is beyond today’s limited understanding of romance, though affection and relationship were threaded into the image. Here are a few more of the important concepts.
A Kiss of Friendship
A kiss was a common way of showing friendship in the Old Testament. Parents kissed their children (Genesis 27:27). The Bible contains several examples of relatives greeting one another with a kiss, as well as offering a kiss when the two parted (Genesis 29:10-15, Genesis 31:55, Genesis 33:4, Genesis 45:15, Exodus 18:7, Ruth 1:9). This type of kiss was offered to everyone throughout the extended family.
In addition, the kiss was common in other friendships. A great example of this was between Jonathan and David (1 Samuel 20:41). Paul encouraged Christians to “greet one another with a holy kiss (Romans 16:16, 1 Corinthians 16:20).
The kiss of betrayal, portrayed forever by the lips of Judas, was the kiss of a friend, a friend turned. Judas went up to the Lord and greeted Him and kissed Him. Jesus’ first words in reply were “Friend, why have you come?”
A Kiss of Reconciliation
The kiss was a symbolic act that what separated the two had been removed. When Jacob met Esau after years of separation, the hearts of the brothers were softened. They ran to each other and both kissed and wept. The KJV uses a very descriptive phrase, Esau “fell on his neck, and kissed him” (Genesis 33:4). Culture dictated the first kiss was to be on the neck. If the other person accepted and reciprocated, the kiss of response was to be on the lips.
Upon the son’s return home, the father runs to the son, kissing him. Before the feast, before the music and celebration, before the calf was slain, the father accepted the son home with a kiss.
A Kiss of Homage
The kiss was also seen as an act of homage or allegiance. The Mediterranean custom was to kiss the feet of the king. There are references in history where the subject in fact kissed the dust beneath the feet. Others offer their kiss on the steps to the king’s throne. The act signified and understanding, acceptance and obedience of service and loyalty to the king.
A Kiss of Worship
It was the custom of the culture to kiss the idols representing the gods you worshipped. Many instances are given in history of the worshipers of Baal kissing the calves. It is interesting that after the Israelites were caught worshipping the golden calf (Exodus 32:20), Moses broke the tablets (symbolic of the people breaking the covenant relationship with God) and had the idol melted down, ground to dust and mixed with water. The people were required to drink the mixture, separating the faithful from the unfaithful.
The words “drink” and “kiss” are related words, emphasizing the degree of the process.
A Kiss of Gratitude
Perhaps this kiss can best be seen in the kiss of Mary as she anointed the feet of Jesus. A woman in a man’s world, an immoral woman in a legalistic world, Mary would not have found a welcoming place in a spiritual or social circle. Before the cultural nuances, Mary first found forgiveness at the feet of her Lord and Savior. Her kiss was a kiss of unending gratitude.
Blessed Are Those Who Take Refuge in Him
The psalmist leaves a powerful choice. If you take refuge in the Messiah, you will be blessed. If you choose to defy God, you will be broken. The blessing was a concept that Israel understood from the days of the patriarchs. Blessings were given to the eldest, signifying the important status within the family.
Blessings are also a part of the teaching and ministry of Jesus. Consider the importance placed upon the beatitudes.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:3-10 NIV).