Psalm 2 abruptly opens with a question: “Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?” The word “plot” is the same word used in Psalm 1 for “meditate.” There, the blessed man found delight in meditating on the word of God. Here, in Psalm 2, the meditation is on how to be rid of the Lord and his Anointed, and it is an international effort, as we see in verses 1 and 2.
In Acts 4, the church applied this psalm to Herod, Pilate, the Gentiles, and the people of Israel conspiring together to put the Lord Jesus to death. The same spirit that put Jesus to death now opposed the apostolic message of the gospel of the Lord Jesus. The great question the psalmist asks is “Why?” Why do men oppose God and his offer of a Savior?
Nobody can adequately express the folly of sin. Even if rage against God is not expressed, there is yet enmity in the heart against God. Putting Christ to death was exhibit A of this enmity; the Lord Jesus being beaten and crucified demonstrated what was inside of men. Sin rules on the throne of men’s hearts. In the parable of the minas (Luke 19), Jesus illustrated man’s attitude toward his Lordship: “We will not have this man reign over us.” The same sentiment is in verse 3 of the psalm: “Let us burst their bonds and cast away their cords from us.”
Verse 4 is a transition from the rebellion on earth against God to the response of God in heaven: “He who sits in heaven laughs; the Lord holds them in derision.” It is an unequal battle to fight against the Lord God; pulling the sun out of the sky is a more viable quest.
However confident men are today about their impunity from any accountability to the Lord, no matter how they mock the Savior God has given, there is a day coming when an unanticipated judgment will occur. This is made certain because God has established a permanent kingdom and has set his king over it (verse 6).
God is under no obligation to warn or save any sinner before judgment comes. The words in the Psalm to this point have shown the patience and kindness of God in warning men of the futility of opposing his sovereign rule. In Proverbs 1, we are told that it is the complacency of fools that destroys them. They hated knowledge and would have none of the Lord’s counsel and reproof.
The Bible teaches us that we are all rebellious and foolish by nature. We have need of God’s intercession, which is what we see in verse 7: “I will tell of the decree: The Lord said to me, ‘You are my Son; today I have begotten you.’” It is through his Son that God saves men. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory, through whom he also created the world, yet the Son also made purification for sins (Hebrews 1).
The Son is promised to have people from all over the earth: “Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession” (verse 8). The possession Christ receives comes to him one soul at a time, as his voice is heard and he is believed on throughout the world. Christ came to purchase their redemption and make them his own.
Because I believe in Christ, I can personally say that the Lord Jesus asked for me to make me his possession. He is my Good Shepherd who came to seek and save me when I was lost. His rod and his staff comfort me. His continual intercession makes certain I will recover from my lapses. It is the foundation of my steadfastness in faith and makes my salvation certain. We will stand or fall based on whether we are Christ’s possession or not.
In verses 12, “Kiss the Son” is a gracious invitation to all men who are in rebellion against God and headed to perdition. To “kiss the Son” is a sign of submission and an acknowledgment of your rightful sovereign King. But it is more than that; it is to embrace him as your crucified Savior, to say, “You are my righteousness, and I am your sin; you have taken what was mine, and given me what was yours.”
The believer never stops kissing the Son. If you want to live by the Spirit, you must kiss the Son. If you want to know the love of God, you must kiss the Son. If you have sin to repent of, you must kiss the Son. “Blessed are all who take refuge in him” (verse 12).
