Psalm 2 - Kiss the Son
- Mark Fossey
- Dec 21, 2018
- 2 min read
Updated: Dec 30, 2018
Psalm 2 is one of the great Messianic psalms. We've no idea who wrote it, but it is likely the main subject of the psalm was the Messiah King David as we'll see.
There are three 'scenes' in the psalm:
Scene 1 is a plotting room (v1-3). The kings of of the earth are gathered together, plotting the overthrow of God's rule.
Scene 2 takes us into heaven itself (v4-9). How will God react? Russia, China, the US, all the nuclear states in union against a common enemy is a terrifying thought. But God simply laughs. Humanism is an atheist philosophy which puts its faith in humanity and what we can achieve together without God. But it is laughable to the Sovereign Lord of the universe.
But once the laughter is over, God reveals his response. Judgement? Angelic armies? Fire from the sky? No - an enthronement. God's response to global, corporate rebellion is to install a king, who he calls his son. That king will rule the nations with a rod of iron.
Scene 3 is the final appeal (v10-13). Be wise. Kiss the son - that is, kiss his feet. Submit to his rule. Give up your fruitless rebellion. For all who don't will certainly perish; for those who do there is mercy and blessing.
While this psalm may have initially been about David, the NT understands it to have been fulfilled in Jesus. In fact, God himself spoke these very words again twice, over a thousand years after he first spoke them: both at Jesus' baptism - the day he was anointed king (Luke 3:22) and at his transfiguration - the day he was revealed as the king of glory (Luke 9:35). Acts 4:25-28 helps us understand how Psalm 2 was fulfilled when natural enemies, the Jews and the Romans, plotted together to overthrow God's rule by executing his Son. But God raised him from the dead, installing him as his Son King. So that final appeal is still very applicable today: Jesus has been raised from the dead and installed as God's King over the world, so choose either to rebel against the Son and perish or kiss the Son and be blessed.
Prayer Idea: Praise the risen Lord Jesus. God has made him King! Rejoice in being a subject of his Kingdom.
Should we read in conjunction with Daniel 7?
““In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.”
Daniel 7:13-14 NIV
Are these ‘scenes’ after Christs death and/or ascension? Does it imply that the Son, although uncreated and eternal had changed somewhat after earthly ministry?