PSALM 2<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
 
Psa. 2:1            Why do the nations rage
and the peoples plot in vain?
2          The kings of the earth set themselves,
and the rulers take counsel together,
against the LORD and against his Anointed, saying,
3          "Let us burst their bonds apart
and cast away their cords from us."
Psa. 2:4            He who sits in the heavens laughs;
the Lord holds them in derision.
5          Then he will speak to them in his wrath,
and terrify them in his fury, saying,
6          "As for me, I have set my King
on <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Zion, my holy hill."
Psa. 2:7            I will tell of the decree:
The LORD said to me, "You are my Son;
today I have begotten you.
8          Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage,
and the ends of the earth your possession.
9          You shall break them with a rod of iron
and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel."
Psa. 2:10           Now therefore, O kings, be wise;
be warned, O rulers of the earth.
11         Serve the LORD with fear,
and rejoice with trembling.
12         Kiss the Son,
lest he be angry, and you perish in the way,
for his wrath is quickly kindled.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him.
 
            This is a Psalm with many deep implications.  The first is the implication that it is a Psalm written by God Himself.  Peter in Acts 4:25-26, recognizes it to be written by God, through the mouth of David.  He says:  
who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit,
"'Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain?  The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his Anointed' (Acts 4:25-26)
 
This is not dictation nor is it simply an inspired man writing but the very result of inspiration that we read as we hear from the same Peter in another portion of Scripture when he says: "For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:21)." 
            This brings up the second implication namely that David is writing this as a prophet.  In fact, being that David never had a time where he was surrounded by a gentile foe it seems necessary to view this strictly as prophetic.  According to the Old Testament Survey Series:
Psalm 2 is attributed to David in the New Testament (Acts 2:30). What historical event, if any, prompted the writing of this psalm cannot be determined. At no time did David personally face rebellion from Gentile foes, which once had been subject to him (vv. 1–3). Furthermore, David was anointed at Bethlehem and Hebron, not Mt. Zion (v. 6).[1]
 
Prophecy has a near and far component.  In this case, the near component seems to be the cross when the rulers and authorities of the nation of Israel surrounded Jesus the Messiah.  The gentiles surrounding Him were Roman and represented the Gentiles in a loose way.  Also of note is the link to the baptism of Christ when the Father says to Jesus that He is "well pleased" with Him (Luke 3:22).
The far prophetic component comes drastically in verse nine. This links it not just to the cross but also to the second coming of Christ where Jesus is about to fulfill His millennial rule, where  "he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority from my Father (Rev. 2:27)."
            Thus we have two prophetic events being depicted in this one Psalm with a near and far significance, the nearer one being the cross and the later one being the Second Coming.  According to the Bible Knowledge commentary:
The psalm is rich in New Testament application. Reflecting on how the leaders of Israel crucified Jesus, the Messiah, Peter was quick to identify those Jewish leaders with the pagan kings of Psalm 2 (Acts 4:25-26).
The typological significance of the "son" is seen fulfilled in Hebrews 1:5. This coronation psalm is quoted here in referring to the exaltation of Christ at His resurrection (cf. Acts 13:33) and Ascension. By this He is "declared . . . to be the Son of God" (Rom. 1:4), a messianic title. When the Father instructs His Son to ask for His inheritance, then He will bring His Son again into the world (Heb. 1:6). The Second Coming will mean wrath to all who rebel against God and His anointed King, but great joy and refuge for all who by faith submit to God's plan to rule the world through David's greater Son, Jesus Christ. So the title of "son" from the Davidic Covenant (2 Sam. 7:14) ultimately becomes the designation of Jesus Christ as King[2]
 
In a last fulfillment we see not Jesus surrounded by men but the nation of Israel surrounded by the rest of the nations of the world ready to annihilate her (Rev. 19:19).  Believing Jews will be able to feel what the cross was like in some degree as enemies on all sides surround them. 
            What are we to get from all this however?  That God laughs at it all.  He is above it all and so powerful and sovereign that it is truly humorous to see finite creatures shake their fist at Him.  As we watch the world get in line behind the next humanist leader and as we see our world buy into the new Babylonian harlot let us not be alarmed but laugh and stay joyful for we serve a God who is not bothered in the least by all their posturing. 
Matt Smith
Pastor, Barabbas Road Church
pastormatt@whoisbarabbas.com
www.whoisbarabbas.com
619.459.3873

[1]James E. Smith, The Wisdom Literature and Psalms (Joplin, Mo.: College Press Pub. Co., 1996), Ps 2.

[2]John F. Walvoord, Roy B. Zuck and Dallas Theological Seminary., The Bible Knowledge Commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1983-c1985), 1:792.