PSALM 2 BLESSEDNESS OR DOOM

Written by , Rector of St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, Richmond, Virginia
 
¹ Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain?
² The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the LORD and against his Anointed One.
³ “Let us break their chains,” they say, “and throw off their fetters.”
 
⁴ The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them.
⁵ Then he rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying,
⁶ “I have installed my King on Zion, my holy hill.”
⁷ I will proclaim the decree of the LORD: He said to me, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father.
⁸ Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession.
⁹ You will rule them with an iron scepter; you will dash them to pieces like pottery.”
 
¹⁰ Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth.
¹¹ Serve the LORD with fear and rejoice with trembling.
¹² Kiss the Son, lest he be angry and you be destroyed in your way, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.
 
We live in a culture that raises rebels, and especially those in the most futile circumstances, to hero status. The scene is that of a field mouse standing shaking its fist at an eagle that is screaming down upon it. We may celebrate it as the “last great act of defiance,” but to the eagle it is just another meal. From the barricades of Les Miserables to Tiananmen Square we make heroes and martyrs out of those who stand up against the overwhelming power of the established authority. Even in our entertainment, our most popular movies have protagonists who work outside the boundaries of authority, some to the point of being almost anti-heroes.

So, when we read Psalm 2, we need to allow ourselves to be troubled by its message. How do we as a community and as individuals respond to the utter sovereignty of God? Does our cultural perspective color how we deal with God’s authority or is it our fallen and rebellious nature that informs our cultural attitudes?

The reality is that God’s will is not to be thwarted by our rebellious attitude any more than it will be derailed by the rulers of the world. God’s established rule has been revealed to us and that reality is the ultimate reality. The wise of the world are those who take the knowledge they have acquired and apply it correctly in their lives. Whether one is in a position of temporal authority over a nation, community, family or his own life, if he is wise he will recognize and submit his rule to the perfect, sovereign rule of God as revealed in Jesus Christ, the Son..

Jesus, as you poured out your love for me through the incarnation and cross, and your Spirit on me in baptism, empower me to live by the knowledge of the Word in true wisdom. May I be submissive to you in all aspects of my life so that I might know the contentment and security of dwelling under your gracious and sovereign authority. Amen.