“Against the Lord and against His Anointed (Messiah)” Psalm 2:2 KJV
“Against the LORD and against His Anointed” Psalm 2:2 NASB
“Yet have I set My King upon My holy hill of Zion” Psalm 2:6 KJV
“But as for Me, I have installed My King Upon Zion, My holy mountain.” Psalm 2:6 NASB
“Thou art My Son” Psalm 2:7 KJV
“You are My Son” Psalm 2:7 NASB
“Serve the Lord with fear” Psalm 2:11 KJV
“Worship the LORD with reverence” Psalm 2:11 NASB
In contrast to Psalm 1, this Psalm is cited in the New Testament as referring to Christ on at least four occasions, thus fulfilling the criteria for it to be labelled a Messianic Psalm. It is intriguing to think that Psalms 1 and 2 are the seed plot for all the other Psalms that follow.
Psalm 1 begins with a blessing and ends with a curse, while Psalm 2 begins with a curse and ends with blessing. A number of other links between the two Psalms are there for the discovering. This Psalm is a study in what men think of the Son and what God thinks of His Son-King.
It is often pointed out that the Psalm divides by noting the speakers. In vv 1-6, God is speaking (and citing the counsel of the ungodly). In verses 7-9, the Son is the speaker, and in verses 10-12, it is the Spirit Who gives counsel.
vv 1-3 The Rebellion in the Hearts of Sinners – Guilt
There has been a long war against God. In contrast to Psalm 1, the people are meditating (v 1) but not in the Word of God. They are considering (meditating) a vain thing. The call is to break the bands of moral restraint. All this will culminate in an end of the age revolt against God and His Son.
vv 4-6 The Resolve in the Mind of the Sovereign
We see the Throne sitter and His attitude. Here is where to look for certainty when the tide of evil rises. In Psalm 1, men are sitting in the seat of the scorner, but here God is sitting in the seat of sovereignty.
In verse 6, we have The Testimony to the Son’s Ascendancy. In Pilate’s tribunal, there was a political charge, “He made Himself a King,” and there was a religious charge: “He made Himself the Son of God.” God is seen answering both: “My King” and “Thou art My Son.”
Nothing will be able to frustrate divine purposes of honour for the Son. God has decreed that He will reign.
vv 7-9 The Reign of the Universe in the Hands of the Son
A day is coming when the silence of the centuries will be shattered. There will be:
Righteous Vindication
The Man Who was despised and set aside as a blasphemer will be owned as the Son. While the timing of this verse may link with His birth or resurrection (views differ), in a coming day God will establish His Son as universal ruler.
Reward for His Accomplishment
“Ask of Me, and I will give Thee.” The nations and the uttermost part of the earth will be a small part of the inheritance for the One Who is Heir of all things. All that was lost by Adam has been regained and will be headed up under the benign rule of the King of Kings.
Reign in Power
He will rule with a rod of iron. In the Millennial age, there will still be judgment for sin. It will be swift, unassailable, and perfectly just. It is not until the eternal state that righteousness will dwell or be at home. Psalm 72 will detail more of the blessings of that reign.
vv 10-12 The Reconciliation from the Lips of the Spirit
Little wonder then that the Council of the Spirit of God is to be reconciled to this son-King while there is opportunity.
Consider:
Look at the places in the N. T. where verse 1 is quoted and also where verse 7 is cited.
Trace contrasts between Psalms 1 and 2.