Psalm 2

¹ Why do the nations conspire
   and the peoples plot in vain?
² The kings of the earth rise up
   and the rulers band together
   against the LORD and against his anointed, saying,
³ “Let us break their chains
   and throw off their shackles.”
 ⁴ The One enthroned in heaven laughs;
   the Lord scoffs at them.
⁵ He rebukes them in his anger
   and terrifies them in his wrath, saying,
⁶ “I have installed my king
   on Zion, my holy mountain.”
 ⁷ I will proclaim the LORD’s decree:
   He said to me, “You are my son;
   today I have become your father.
⁸ Ask me,
   and I will make the nations your inheritance,
   the ends of the earth your possession.
⁹ You will break them with a rod of iron;
   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 celebrate his rule with trembling.
¹² Kiss his son, or he will be angry
   and you and your ways will be destroyed,
for his wrath can flare up in a moment.
   Blessed are all who take refuge in him.


Do you know someone who thinks they know more than God, who thinks their way is better than God's way?  Most of us do. Maybe we've even been that person ourselves, but clearly that kind of thinking is vanity, trying to grasp the wind (Ecclesiastes 1:14). How often is pride our downfall?  Even as far back as Eden, it was pride - Adam and Eve believing that they knew better than the Lord - that led to their demise.

Often we begin to think we are so good, so smart, that God's love for us becomes a burden - chains and shackles (v. 3) that we want to throw off.  This chapter is a clear reminder of how God feels about that kind of attitude.  I would never want my Father to scoff at me, to rebuke me, to bring His wrath against me (v. 4-5).

Looking ahead to verse 12: "...blessed are all who take refuge in Him."  Blessed indeed!  As children of God we stand to inherit all (v. 8), but we must SERVE the Lord, FEAR the Lord and REJOICE in His "burdens". 


Click here for the post on Psalm 1.