THE CERTAIN VICTORY OF THE LORD’s ANOINTED

Lesson 1

Psalm 2:1–6

Psalms About Christ

This season we will study the Messianic Psalms. The entire Old Testament, including the Psalms, looks forward to the Christ in Whom the fulfillment is found. However, in the Psalms, as also in various parts of the prophetic writings, there is a direct reference to the Christ or to an episode in His life. There is a difference among the Messianic Psalms. In some instances the entire Psalm is directly related to Jesus Christ and the work He has come to do, while in others there is but a small part of the Psalm which so directly referred to Him. Psalm 2 relates to Him in its entirety. This Psalm was written by David (Acts 4:25). The writer refers to things which have happened in his life and these things have their ultimate fulfillment in the coming of Jesus Christ.

A Foolish Revolt

The author of this Psalm describes t he people raging, beside themselves with anger, and this anger is directed against the king of Israel and the One who has made him king. This attitude is unreasonable and unwise. Besides, it is a “vain thing”—they will accomplish nothing by it. It is a useless struggle. No one will ever succeed in escaping from the jurisdiction of this king. The nations rage and the peoples meditate a vain thing! What is wrong with these people? They never had it so good! But, this attitude has often arisen in the history of the world. Nations and peoples do not know their own welfare. They have set themselves to achieve the impossible. Not only the people who do not know any better, but the kings of the earth and the rulers take counsel together against Yahweh and against His anointed! That is the object of their hatred! They set themselves against the God of heaven and earth. They set themselves against the God who has come with rich promises. They also set themselves against the One whom He has anointed to reign. That is the picture which the Psalmist draws.

The Psalm describes the way in which various peoples have sought to cast off David’s rule. That revolt too was aimed against the God who had anointed him. But, the revolt is worse when it is raging against David’s great Son and his Lord! This revolt has been the history of the world till the present time and it will continue in the years to come. The kings and rulers and the nations and peoples do not want this One to rule over them. They want their independence! Therefore they say: “Let us break their bonds asunder and cast away their cords from us.” In saying this they express their view of Messiah’s reign over them. He has placed them in bonds. They are tied with cords. Let us now cast these fetters of His kingship away so that we may have freedom!

This is the way in which unbelievers look upon the rule of Jesus Christ. They do not understand that His yoke is easy and His burden is light! They believe it to be a galling yoke. Besides, they believe that they can easily rid themselves of these cords and bonds. All they have to do is to break them and to cast them away. How easy it seems! He is evidently not able to enforce the rule He has over them. They believe that they can do as they please with His rule.

Man brags of his power over against God time and again. That is portrayed more clearly here than almost anywhere else in Scripture. The Psalmist asks “Why” do they do t his? Don’t they see the utter futility of opposing God and His anointed? When will men realize t heir limitations? Before Him they are as nothing. He has given them life and He must uphold them every moment. But nations, peoples, kings and rulers believe that they have great power! They will determine their own lot and their own destiny. We do not want this One to rule over us away with His bonds and cords!

David suffered under the defiance of those whom he had conquered. He did not seek to punish them unduly, but they often rebelled. Jesus Christ was pursued to death because His enemies did not want His rule. His rule was gracious, but they considered it bondage.

Laughter of God

What will be the reaction of the God against whom they rebel? Will He allow this defiance to go on unchecked? Will His anger be kindled so that He will consume them? We read: He that sitteth in the heavens will laugh! Is this a laughing matter when peoples and nations, kings and rulers defy His own Son? Seldom do we read that God laughed. There is not much for Him to laugh about since the fall of man. How must we understand this divine laughter in this instance. It is often explained that He laughs because of the futility of the rebellion of man against the almighty power of God. It is like a two year old defying the heavyweight boxing champion of the world! This explanation seems appropriate, but does it do justice to that which is taught us here? I think not. He will have them in derision. He looks on them with contempt. But, then he speaks to them in His wrath and He will trouble them in His sore displeasure. The entire context speaks concerning the anger of God burning against those who rise up against Him and against His anointed. This was also later taught by Christ when He said that the owner of the vineyard will utterly consume those evil men who did not reverence His Son but killed Him. Yet, we read that He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh!

Anger of God

Is this laughter the opposite of anger or is it a part of it? I believe that herein the Lord Almighty shows His anger to the extreme. When His anger once is kindled, no one shall be able to stand before Him. Anger usually shows itself on the face of him who is angry. When that anger becomes more intense there may be tears in his eyes. When that anger knows no bounds, the person so angered may begin to laugh! Now there is real danger. He will not allow this defiance to go on. He will put an end to it. The rebellion of the people has essentially been against God Himself! When He now laughs at this show of defiance, His anger is indeed consuming.

Only after this laughter on the Lord’s part does He begin to speak. He does not speak words of grace to these rebels. Instead, He speaks to them in His wrath. He is sorely displeased. He is going to make it abundantly clear to all those who would not have this One to rule over them that He is violently displeased with them. He is in a position highly exalted above them. He is out of their reach. He can look down with contempt on all those who rage against Him. He vexes them. They are troubled. Their peace is disturbed. They thought they were in control they could break His bonds and cast away His cords—but He laughs them to scorn and vexes them in His sore displeasure. Their folly is exposed.

The rulers together with their people have their own plans which they are seeking to carry out. Jehovah and His anointed are not in the plans of these people. They have their goals which they will seek to achieve. That their plans are folly has already been made clear. He is troubling them now, but perhaps they do not even realize where this trouble comes from.

God’s Appointed King

They may have their plans—God also has His plans, and His plans shall be carried out. Nothing will stop Him. “I have set My King upon My holy hill of Zion.” They will not have this One to rule over them—God has set His King to reign, and He will reign! This is His own Anointed One; this psalm looks beyond David at the Christ Who is the Anointed King Whom God has set on His holy hill of Zion. This is the King to Whom homage must be brought. These peoples may think that they will be able to cast His rule from them. They will not succeed. When God sets His King to reign there will be no competitors, “This is My King”—He is personally united to God.

God even tells of the place from which His king will reign. He has set His king on the holy hill of Zion. Even the place will not change. David ruled from Jerusalem and more particularly, from the hill of Zion. That rule will not be displaced to another capital. It will not be found where the other kings of the earth reign. Mount Zion is t he place which He has chosen and there His King will be enthroned.

The Believer’s Encouragement

This “Zion” becomes the symbol of the church. David’s rule and David’s place do not fully account for the words of this Psalm. They look beyond this great king of Judah and Israel, at the reign of the One to Whom all authority will be given. This is a Messianic Psalm. The Psalm reveals how men will react to the rule of Jesus Christ. In their folly they believe that they will be able to cause His rule to end. But, the Psalm then speaks of the certainty of His rule because God Himself has placed the Son on the throne. He is My King, My anointed! This Psalm was a source of comfort to the Apostles when they were rudely treated and imprisoned (Acts 4). This Psalm has been a source of great comfort to believers throughout the years and will be such especially when the time of the end approaches. No one shall touch His anointed. No one shall be able to cast His rule aside.

Positively, this means that the rule of Jesus Christ over all peoples is assured. He shall reign until everything is put under His feet. He rules in behalf of His church. That church is safeguarded, regardless of the striving of the nations against the rule of King Jesus!! Let His people rejoice. Let His people have confidence. “He shall reign forever and ever.”

Questions for discussion:

1. What is the relationship of the Old Testament to the New? 2. Must we find Jesus Christ on every page of the Old Testament? 3. Why do we call some Psalms Messianic and others not? 4. Do you believe that the nations are gathering against Jehovah and against His anointed today? 5. Why is it folly for the nations to rebel against the rule of the Christ? 6. What does God’s laughter mean? 7. Is this a comforting Psalm or one which speaks only of strife?    

THE RULE OF MESSIAH

Lesson 2

Psalm 2:7–12

The rule of King David is certainly praised in this Psalm. This King David was as a Son to the God of Israel. His rule was established by Jehovah and his kingdom was spread farther and farther.

However, those who believe that this Psalm speaks exclusively of David and his rule over Israel will find many parts of this song very difficult to interpret. We must not lose sight of the fact that although the Psalm speaks of David’s reign it goes beyond it to the reign of Jesus Christ.

God’s Decree

In these verses One is now introduced who has not spoken before. The Son now speaks. He speaks about the decree of God, about the things which underlie His assumption of Kingship. God is the One who has made or anointed Him king. There are many things found in this seventh verse which are difficult to understand. We speak of “the eternal generation of the Son” and this seems to be a passage which might well be used as a proof–text. However, that kind of a decree does not seem to be in the foreground here. “This day have I begotten thee”—what does this mean? Does this contradict the eternal generation of the Son? Or does this speak of the day that God had anointed Him to be king over His people?

Although there are many questions which come t o our minds in considering this verse, various things are made perfectly clear. God is speaking to His Son! He is addressing His own Son! The critical question concerning the Christ is: “Whose Son is He?” Here this question is already answered. Let no one have the idea that the Messiah stands in a relation to God which is less than a Father-Son relationship. God has not spoken in this way even concerning the angels (Heb. 1:5).

The relationship which the Messiah sustains to Jehovah will determine His rule and the obedience He may ask of His subjects. This is the decree which He has heard: “Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.” The decrees of God stand. Messiah’s Sonship is certain. Let all men recognize this fact and they will have taken the first step toward the understanding of His Kingship.

World-Wide Rule

In verses eight and nine the Psalmist continues to quote the words of God addressed to the Son. God tells Him that He needs only to ask and He will be given the various nations, even those in the uttermost part of the earth. No one shall be able to stand before Him. This was not experienced by David. He extended the borders of Israel, but not to the uttermost parts of the earth. No one shall be able to stand to David. But, the Son of God Who is going to reign will be so much greater than David that David will call Him Lord (Psalm 110). His kingdom shall cover the earth. That rule is His for the asking! God is the One Who is able to give Him the nations. Later, when the Messiah comes, Satan tempts Him and promises to give Him all the kingdoms of this world—which are not his to give! God will withhold nothing from His Son.

We must realize that these words are not spoken as a remote possibility. The Christ’s significance will be global! All nations shall own His sway. The people from the farthest regions of the world will bring homage.

Power to Destroy

The kind of rule which He will exercise over the various nations and peoples is one that might not have been expected. When one thinks of the rule of the Christ, one thinks of a very beneficent rule one that is marked by love to all those who have been made subject to Him. However, an entirely different note is sounded in verse nine. “Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.” Does He rule to destroy? Here the destructive character of His rule is pictured in unmistakable terms.

It must be borne in mind that He is speaking of the nations and the peoples who do not know the Christ. His rule must not be mistaken for one of weakness, but as a rule which will demand full and complete obedience. He will have a rod of iron; and the subjects are pictured as potter’s vessels. The one is the symbol of the strongest; the other is the symbol of the most fragile. This character of His rule must be clearly seen in order to understand the following words of this Psalm, but also to understand that His rule shall triumph! In the final analysis, no one shall be able to withstand Him. If they mock His invitation, they will not mock His wrath! His rule of grace is most gracious, but His rule of power also knows no bounds. Men must not trifle with the Son!

Summoned to Surrender

The Psalm, however, does not end on the note of the destruction which the Son is able to bring to bear on those who will not listen to Him. Rather, the Psalm ends with an appeal to the kings of the earth to recognize the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

God had charged them with folly in the beginning of this Psalm. The nations rage, they meditate a vain thing. The kings and rulers take counsel which is not based on wisdom, but, rather, on folly. Now, in the closing stanza of this Psalm He calls them to wisdom. “Be wise, O ye kings.” Despite the fact that He has been angered by them and that He had laughed at their foolish arrogance, He still calls t hem to wisdom. “Be instructed, ye Judges of the earth.” The same individuals are meant. The kings were also the judges in the times in which this Psalm was written. Let these, who are the exalted men of the earth, kings and judges, be instructed. These are the ones who usually do not believe they need instruction because they believe they have all knowledge and wisdom. He pleads with them to be instructed. If they continue in the way in which they have gone until this time, they will be beaten with that rod of iron and they will be dashed into pieces. Let wisdom prevail! Receive instruction! Come to your senses! They are no match for the One Who is set to reign on the holy hill of Zion! In grace He pleads with them. He does not seek the death of men. He is glorified in this that they repent!

Worship God

Their repentance will be shown in this that they serve Jehovah with fear. They are called to serve Jehovah! This is fundamental. He is to be feared above all others. He must be acknowledged and they are to humble themselves. His honor must not be given to another. There is no god or potentate who is to be feared and adored besides Jehovah . Be wise –serve God! Be instructed—serve God!

Rejoice with Trembling

The manner in which they are to bring service to Jehovah is also mentioned. He is to be served with fear. They must stand before Him in religious awe. Besides, they are to rejoice with trembling. This certainly is an expression of mingled feelings. There is room for rejoicing when they serve Jehovah, the only true God. A slavish fear is not required. Let them who know Him rejoice in the Lord at all times. But, what is the nature of that joy? Is it a rejoicing like they may have in the experience of various earthly things? No, the rejoicing in God is unique. It is a rejoicing with trembling! How is this possible? Does not the one rule out the other? By no means. Because these two are usually separated today we often find a service of God which does not meet with His approval. Let there be joy, indeed, but, with trembling. Let men realize to Whom they come. Let them realize that they are but men (Psalm 9:20) and that He is God! Then they will rejoice that they are allowed in His presence, but they will come wit h fear and trembling because they are standing on holy ground.

Receive Christ

If the rulers of the nations are wise t hey will serve Jehovah, but what is their calling regarding the Son Whom He has set to reign on Zion? They must “kiss the Son.” They are to show homage to Him. They are to recognize Him as their Superior. He is Lord of lords and King of kings. Let them kiss the Son to show their deep affection for Him. Let them make it clear that they are not simply bringing obedience because there is no other way open, but let them bring obedience in love and devotion to Him!

Or Perish

If they do not kiss the Son, He will be angry and they will perish in the way. This warning He attaches to a refusal to kiss the Son. His wrath will soon be kindled against those who will not have Him to be king over them. Jesus Christ is so often preached as one whose love knows no bounds and who loves where there is no reason to do so. Scripture does not picture Him that way. His love is indeed rich—is beyond human understanding. But, His anger is soon kindled if men do not serve Jehovah and recognize His anointed. He is jealous for His honor.

Blessed Refugees

This Psalm, which has spoken of the raging of the nations and the ultimate victory of Messiah, ends on a beautiful note. This is common in Scripture. The Psalmist says: Blessed are all they that take refuge in him. These are the ones esteemed to be happy, blessed. The power of Messiah is so great that we may well fear. No one will ever be a competitor of His. But, let not that fact cause His people to be afraid of Him. No, they must take refuge in Him. They must take refuge in the One Who has a rod of iron. They must place all their trust on this One Whom men have rejected. And, this is possible. He is the only One Who offers a safe refuge to man. Those who flee to Him for refuge are indeed blessed!

Men honored David in his day, but they could not take refuge in him. This Psalm speaks of David, but it does far more. This word speaks of Jesus Christ, and David is only blessed when he has taken refuge in Him!

Questions for discussion:

1. What is the difference between the Sonship of Christ and our sonship? 2. When was the kingdom of Israel extended the farthest? Did it ever encompass the known world of that day? 3. Christ shall have dominion everywhere. It is His for the asking. Why doesn’t He ask for it? 4. Should the “harsh” rule of Christ (vs. 9) be emphasized more today? Why or why not? 5. Do we rejoice with trembling? Do we rejoice in Him? Is the rejoicing with trembling much in evidence in fundamentalistic circles? 6. Does the church have an obligation today to call on the governments of the nations to acknowledge the Christ as Supreme? Do you think our Fathers had this in mind in their wording of Art. 36 of the Belgic Confession?