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.