Psalms 2 - Spurgeon’s Verse Expositions of the Bible

Psalms 2:1-3. Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.

This was what they did when they took the Lord of life and glory, dragged him to the judgment seat, and then nailed him to the accursed tree. «This is the heir,» said they, «let us kill him, and the inheritance shall be ours.» They thought that they had destroyed the power of Christ, the appointed and anointed King, and that he would never reign among the sons of men.

Psalms 2:4. He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.

God might well laugh at their folly, for they were really executing his will all the while they were rebelling against him. They were really laying the foundation stones of his mediatorial throne in fair colors, and cementing them with his own most precious blood, for it was by his cross that he climbed to his crown. Well did Peter say to the Jews, on the day of Pentecost, «Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and fore knowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain.»

Psalms 2:5-6. Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure. Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.

In the resurrection, God lifted up the head of Christ above all the sons of men, and made them see that all their craft and cruelty had been displayed in vain.

Psalms 2:7-8. I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.

The risen Christ is pleading, and pleading successfully, before the throne of God on high; and his plea is that the heathen may be given to him for his inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for his possession.

Psalms 2:9. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.

He does this even now in the working of his providence; but he will do it still more manifestly at the second advent, when Christ will not allow the kings of the earth any longer to set themselves against him, but he will finally destroy their power, and prove himself to be the King of kings and Lord of lords even here below.

Psalms 2:10-12. Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son,-

That is the Lord Jesus Christ: «Kiss the Son,»-

Psalms 2:12. Lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

This exposition consisted of readings from Psalms 2:1, and 110.

Psalms 2:1-2. Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying,

This raging company of the Jews was but a specimen of the universal opposition which there is to the reign of Christ; for it is not alone in Israel, but among the heathen, and among all people, that there is this opposition to the Christ of God.

Psalms 2:3. Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.

The bands of Jehovah, and the bands of the Christ, his Anointed.

Psalms 2:4-5. He that sitteth in the heaven shall laugh: the lord shall have them in derision. Then, shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.

His word, it seems, vexes them; there is no need of sword or javelin. The weapons of God's warfare are his words.

Psalms 2:6-12. Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron: thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel. Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

This exposition consisted of readings from John 18:28-40; and Psalms 2:1.

Psalms 2:1-3. Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.

The conspiracy was both strong and influential, The kings and the rulers combined against Jehovah and against his Christ. They were very determined; they set themselves with resolute purpose; they took counsel together. They were full of a horrible enthusiasm; they raged; they thought the work as good as done, but they imagined a vain thing. The fight was against Jehovah, and against his Anointed, the Christ, the Messiah. What came of it all? Did they break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from them? Listen: -

Psalms 2:4. He that sitteth in the heavens shalt laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.

For what can mortals be as compared with the Eternal? The fire can readily enough consume the tow. Shall men set themselves in opposition to omnipotence, and hope to prosper? And when God determines to glorify his anointed Son, shall worms of the dust prevent him from doing so'? What can come of all their opposition? God simply laughs at them, Jehovah has them in derision.

Psalms 2:5. Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.

He scarcely needs to lift his hand, he has only to speak; and when Jehovah speaks in wrath, his words are thunderbolts. Men's hearts are indeed troubled when God's words come hot with anger into their spirits. This is what God said:-

Psalms 2:6. Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.

«You have raged, you have deliberated, you have resolved; but it is all nothing. There is my Son, the crowned King.» And such is the Anointed tonight; the Christ is on the throne, let Isis enemies say what they will, and he must reign, nothing can prevent it. He must be King of kings and Lord of lords, for thus is it written concerning him.

Psalms 2:7. I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.

This is the seal of the Anointed. He is the Son of the Highest, the only begotten Son of the Father, who says to him, «Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.»

Psalms 2:8. Ask of me, and I shalt give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.

Christ is asking of his Father; even he cannot have what he desires without asking for it. Prayer is so essential to the progress of the kingdom of Christ that even Christ himself must ask. But then God has promised to give to Christ the heathen for his inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth to be his possession. This is the great strength of all missionary enterprise. Dear friends, we may be quite sure that the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord when we read such a text as this: «I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.» If men will not yield to the Lord when he is made known to them, if they resist the drawings of divine love, what will happen? Listen:-

Psalms 2:9-10. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces, like a potter's vessel. Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.

«Ye rulers, ye magistrates, ye senators, ye governors of the earth, be wise, be instructed.»

Psalms 2:11. Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

«If you are wise, you will obey the superior King; you will yield obedience to the great Lord of all.»

Psalms 2:12. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the Way, when his wrath is kindled but a little.

The kings and rulers are bidden to do this; let each one of us do the same, let us give the kiss of homage to him whom God has made to be our King, and take him to be our Lord and Ruler for ever and ever.

Psalms 2:12. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

It is so; those of us who have tried it can bear witness that it is so, there is no life like a life of trust in God. The nearest approach to heaven that we can live in this mortal body is a life of simple confidence in the Lord Jesus Christ. Now let us read concerning our Lord's first coming and appearance amongst the sons of men. Turn to the Gospel according to Matthew, at the third chapter

This exposition consisted of readings from Psalms 2:1, and Matthew 3:1.