Psalm 2:1-6 – Man’s stupidity versus God’s Sovereignty

Psalm 2 is a Messianic Psalm. The King inferred here is none other than the Messianic King of Israel. Jesus Christ as we know is Israel’s anticipated King and Messiah. We can say with certainty that Jesus is the person this Psalm is describing because of the many quotations taken from it. In Mark 1:11 and Matthew 17:5, both the writers of the Gospels quoted from this Psalm. One at Jesus’ baptism and the other at His transfiguration. On both occasions, God is seen to be announcing Jesus as His Son. In Acts 4:25–28, the early disciples quoted this Psalm to refer to Herod, Pilate and the people’s hostility and conspiracy to crucify Jesus Christ, the Lord’s anointed. Again in Acts 13:33, we see Paul quoting from this Psalm pertaining to Jesus’ resurrection. 

The Psalm itself leaves us with no clue concerning who had composed it. But the Apostles in Acts 4:25 attributed its authorship to King David. The experience expressed here was not exactly what David himself had gone through. That’s because he was not talking about himself but the true Messiah. He could see and express what he said in this Psalm because he had adorned the spirit of prophecy. And he saw long before hand the natural opposition that sinners have towards Jesus the Son of God, Israel’s Messiah King.  

A quick scan will help us to see four clear demarcations in this Psalm. Verses 1-3 tell us that the nations and their rulers set themselves up in rebellion against God and His Messianic King. In verses 4-6, God is seen reacting and responding to their rebellious plots. In verses 7-9, the Messianic King then declared God’s promise to give Him dominion of the world and much more. In verses 10-12, the Psalmist warns the rebels to submit to God or be prepared for a sure destruction. The whole composition closes with an offer of God’s blessing for all who would come to Him for protection.

The Psalmist began with a rhetorical interrogation. Through the question, he leaves no doubt that the opposition was against God and His anointed. But he considers it a sheer stupidity for the nations and their rulers to think that they could come up against God. Don’t they even know that their plan cannot stand against God? Don’t they even know that they have no chance against God and His Messiah? Here we see the stupidity and audacity of puny man to think that they could tear God’s plan and partnership apart. This is what foolishness can do to people. They forget their own capability and imagine to have power more than they truly possessed. This first three verses underscore that fact that no one can come up against God and expect to be able to overthrow Him and what He proposed to do. God’s plan can never be thwarted.

Going on in verses 4-6, the Psalmist proceeds to speak about the Lord. He showed that men’s puny paltry plan against God was so laughable that even God Himself scoff at it.  The purpose of the Psalmist was to show that God’s Sovereignty reigns supreme. His throne is in heaven. His throne is higher. He transcends the realm of men. He has a superiority that none can ever equal. God doesn’t panic over man’s stupidity, He merely scoffs at their plan. Here God calmly and firmly made a declaration. He made known that He had installed His King on Zion, His holy hill. The King is none other than Jesus, His Son. He is our reigning King. Mount Zion is God’s holy mountain. In other places of the Bible, it is also known as the Mountain of the Lord. It symbolizes God’s presence and reign.

Hear what the prophets Isaiah and Micah exhort all believers to do: “Come and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of God…, so that He may teach us concerning His ways and that we may walk in His paths. For the law will go forth from Zion and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem” (Isaiah 2:3 & Micah 4:2). Knowing that God has installed Jesus as the reigning King, and His presence is now available to us, we must go up frequently to “Mount Zion,” a symbol of His presence and discover more of His plan for our life.  What’s important is: we must collaborate with Him and His plan for the world and for our own life.