Psalm 2

1Why are the nations so angry?

Why do they waste their time with futile plans?

2The kings of the earth prepare for battle;

the rulers plot together

against the Lord

and against his anointed one.

3“Let us break their chains,” they cry,

“and free ourselves from slavery to God.”

4But the one who rules in heaven laughs.

The Lord scoffs at them.

5Then in anger he rebukes them,

terrifying them with his fierce fury.

6For the Lord declares, “I have placed my chosen king on the throne

in Jerusalem, on my holy mountain.”

7The king proclaims the Lord’s decree:

“The Lord said to me, ‘You are my son.

Today I have become your Father.

8Only ask, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance,

the whole earth as your possession.

9You will break them with an iron rod

and smash them like clay pots.’”

10Now then, you kings, act wisely!

Be warned, you rulers of the earth!

11Serve the Lord with reverent fear,

and rejoice with trembling.

12Submit to God’s royal son, or he will become angry,

and you will be destroyed in the midst of all your activities—

for his anger flares up in an instant.

But what joy for all who take refuge in him!

New Living Translation (NLT)

Questions:

Verse 1 – in what ways can you identify with the Psalmist’s questions even though they were first asked 3 thousand years ago? We will all look at this from the perspective of the news we absorb. Why not ask the Lord to open your eyes to his perspective?
Verse 2 – in what ways do we see the world’s leaders working against the Lord? Again, pray to ask for the Lord’s perspective on this.
Verse 3 – in what ways do we see the idea of being free from “slavery to God” being developed and advanced in our world today?
Verse 4 – what might the Lord’s reasons be for laughing at the intention of people to free themselves from slavery to him?
Verse 5 – in this verse, the Psalmist described how he / she sees the Lord responding to the leaders who want to live independently of him. What circumstances might make the God you know respond in anger and fury?
Verse 6 – there are 2 ways we can read this statement: firstly, that the Lord has placed his Messiah Jesus on the throne of all creation, for all time; secondly, the King at the time (possibly the writer of the Psalm) was chosen by God to bring justice to the nation and beyond. Think about each of these in turn. What difference do these ways of seeing God’s purposes and work make to how you view the challenges of our time?
Verse 7 – note: the prophetic nature of this psalm is shown by the voice from heaven at Jesus’ baptism saying a similar thing (see Matthew 3 v 17; Mark 1 v 11; Luke 3 v 22). How have you experienced the Lord’s calling and affirmation of you?
Verse 8 – the Lord makes an offer to the King to help him with his calling. What is the significance of this offer? What help does the Lord offer you with the purpose to which he has called you?
Verse 9 – given what was said in verses 2 & 3, what does verse 9 tell us about the Lord’s power?
Verse 10 – what does verse 10 tell us about God’s wish for the current rulers of the nations?
Verse 11 – this verse describes some contrasting emotions eg rejoicing with fear and trembling. How might you explain these contrasts for a leader?
Verse 12 – what is the fate for leaders who ignore the Lord’s rightful place as the ultimate leader? What is the outcome for the leaders who place their trust in the Lord?

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