AMIDST THE BACKDROP of history known and unknown is clearly and starkly outlined the rise and fall of nations. And in each of those nations, some figure proudly leading at the pinnacle of power imagines themself invincible. Genghis Khan, Ramses the Second, Nebuchadnezzar, and Alexander the Great of ancient times were such figures. So were Hitler and Pol Pot more recently. On the world stage today, similar names are emerging. For each, their regime was indestructible in their mind, but, alas, a different story is now told. David, warrior, king, and often prophet, muses, “Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his Anointed One.” (Psa. 2:1-2)
He has constructed a rhetorical question. His point is both simple and profound. Simple, because all go to the grave and God remains. Complex, because all go to the grave, and God has power over the life before and after the grave. Though nations may rise on leadership, works, and war, they fail when the battle is lost, or when the economy lies broken due to poor governance, or when the earth shrugs in one ecological manner or another. In all this, God’s invisible hand can be seen by those who are looking for it.
When constrained in their powers, such worldly leaders always have this thought in common: “‘Let us break their chains,’ they say, ‘and throw off their shackles.’” (Psa. 2:3) David, speaking of the God whose heart he knows so well, says “The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. Then he rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath.” (Psa. 2:4-5) What David says next speaks to that which is both complex and profound, and he is speaking as prophet. “Then he rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying, “I have installed my King on Zion, my holy hill.” (Psa. 2:6) This statement is not only about the way in which God guided and protected David, for his own purposes, through all of the war and political machinations that it took to put David on the throne; it is also clearly Messianic prophecy.
David next emphasizes both God’s temporal and his eternal purposes regarding the kingdom of Israel and her king. “I will proclaim the decree of the Lord: He said to me, ‘You are my Son; today I have become your Father. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession.’” (Psa. 2:7-8) This same verse is recorded twice in the N.T. about Jesus, both times by Matthew. The first was at his baptism by John. “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” (Matt. 3:17) The second was at the Mount of Transfiguration. “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” And here is added, “Listen to him!” (Matt. 17:5) Jesus is clearly the ‘Anointed One’ of all power.
David continues the warning. “You will rule them with an iron scepter; you will dash them to pieces like pottery.” (Psa. 2:9) Against the power of God, all leaders of all nations who resist him shall perish. One of England’s great poets penned lines of an imagined explorer, clearly in Egypt, coming across a huge broken statue, the head and torso lying broken in the endless stretches of sand, the disconnected mighty legs still standing on the pedestal, on which is written: *“My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings; Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!”
David ends with a warning. “Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry and you be destroyed in your way, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. (Psa. 2:12a, b)
Power in this world is often displayed in this way; step out of line, and disaster can strike in a moment, quick as lightning. We have seen this, perhaps felt this; it is also the fate of the self-assuming powerful. In light of the entire context of the psalm, David ends, quite gently, as is the grace of mercy: “Blessed are all who take refuge in him.” (Psa. 2:12c)
Permit a touch of allegory, fellow Christians. As sons and daughters of a king, each of us inherits a kingdom. “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Pet. 2:9) You find this mentioned throughout the scriptures. (So also: Ex. 19:6, Isa. 61:6, and Rev. 1:6) How is your kingdom going? Do you know that you have access to special powers? “Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession.” (Psa. 2:8)
We all have the potential to rule a ‘kingdom.’ Where is yours, and who are your people? Think on this: our kingdom is really simply the people we influence, but if God is guiding us, that kingdom might be extensive. It could be our family, our place of work, or, really, a world-wide network of people. Just remember that you are “a people belonging to God” to “declare the praises of him who called you.” (1 Pet. 2:9) You wouldn’t want the Son angry with you.
How’s your kingdom doing today?
Q. Not what is, but who are my kingdom? Think about it.
*Percy Bysshe Shelley, “Ozymandias” – 1818.
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