1 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?

2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against His anointed, saying,

3 Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.

4 He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.

5 Then shall He speak unto them in His wrath, and vex them in His sore displeasure.

6 Yet have I set My king upon My holy hill of Zion.

7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art My Son: this day have I begotten thee.

8 Ask of me, and I shall give Thee the heathen for Thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for Thy possession.

9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron: Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.

10 Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.

11 Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

12 Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and ye perish from the way, when His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in Him.

The Point:

Jesus is the King over Zion (the church) and over all the earth, and the kings and judges of the earth had better recognize His kingship.

How do we feel in the recitation of this psalm?

At first we are taken back by the animosity the heathen kings and rulers of America, Europe, and Asia express towards Yahweh, the Creator of heaven and earth. But as the psalm progresses, we begin to laugh at the antics of these mice-like kings who think they can stand up against God. With confidence, we direct the President of the United States and the Supreme Court Justices to kiss the Son and serve the Lord with trembling. In short, we are thrilled at the sovereign might of Jehovah and shocked by the foolish rebellion of the heathen.

What does this psalm teach us?

Verses 1–3. Powerful kings and rulers try to fight against God. We see this every time kings of the earth defy God and His holy law. Every time they rule against the standards of God’s holy law and condemn innocent babies to death, or refuse to administer God’s laws against the wicked, they set themselves against God. Occasionally, we find wicked governments conspiring together against God and against His anointed One, and His body, the church. You may remember that the New Testament name “Christ,” is literally translated, “the Anointed One.” In Acts 4:25–28, Peter takes this passage and applies it to the actions taken by the leaders of Rome and the Jews against our Lord Jesus Christ when they crucified Him. Throughout history we do find wicked kings and rulers persecuting Christ because that is, effectively, what is going on when they persecute His body, the church.

Even in our newspapers we read about how our leaders oppose Christians for “hating” homosexuality or for rejecting evolution. Think about how much worse it is for Christian families in North Korea or China who are verbally derided and even tortured for their faith in God and His Christ!

Verses 4–5. Now we have God’s reaction to these little kings that shake their fist in the sight of God, their Creator. He laughs. Of course, if God made these little kings then any opposition they might rally against their Creator is futile. But why does God respond in laughter? For the same reason that we might respond in laughter when we see a mouse attack an elephant. Incongruity like this is what makes things funny. In this case, the laughter is not an endearing laugh as we might laugh when a little two year old says something funny, but it is more of a deriding, satirical laugh. Moreover, God’s reaction to such rebellion is more than laughter. He speaks to them in wrath and brings them never-ending trouble that brings great distress to their lives.

Verses 6–9. Up to this point we have heard of the kings of the earth that have set themselves in rebellion against God. Now, Yahweh Himself introduces another King whom He has set up on Mount Zion. We interpret Zion to mean the church because Hebrews 12:22–23 clearly equates Mount Zion to the church of the Firstborn, who is the Lord Jesus Christ. Note also that the Psalmist calls Mount Zion a holy hill. This church is holy, or set apart, to God. In fact, members of the church in the New Testament are called saints or “holy ones.”

In verses 7 through 9, the Lord continues to speak to His Son whom He has made King. He promises to give His Son the whole world as His kingdom. But didn’t the whole earth already belong to God? How would this kingdom of God’s Son be any different from the rule God already holds over the whole world? Another passage on the kingly reign of Jesus Christ, Psalm 110, declares that this King makes His people willing in the day of His power. The rule of Christ begins in the hearts of men, changing their hearts and bringing whole kingdoms into willing servitude to Him.

Verse 9 points out that this kingdom is more than mercy— it is also judgment. Previously, in ancient times, wicked kingdoms lasted for hundreds of years. But this King brings swift judgment to those who refuse to serve Him, and wicked atheistic governments, such as that which governed Russia in the 20th century, will barely last for eighty years. Modern empires like France, Spain, and England dissipated quickly when they turned away from God in self-sufficient pride. Our King really rules. He will break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.

Verses 10–12. Kings and judges beware! The last verses consist of a warning for those who rule in Washington DC, London, and Tokyo. The most important biblical qualification for those who would be elected king or appointed a judge in the earth, is that they fear God (Ex. 18:21: 2 Sam. 23:3). We ought never to elect a man who does not serve God with fear and rejoice with trembling.

These kings are told to kiss the Son or perish. When one kisses a king, he confesses his love and appreciation for that king and his willingness to serve and obey that king. What is commanded here is not a shallow belief that many “Christians” claim in regards to Jesus, but rather an allegiance, a love, and an obedience.

How do we apply this psalm?

1. This psalm clearly reminds us that we must bow the knee before our Lord and King, Jesus Christ. Let us bow the knee to Jesus Christ today (Phil. 2:9–11). We are told here to serve Jehovah with fear and rejoice with trembling. Fear and rejoicing are compatible when we are walking in the fear of God.

2. As we get the opportunity, we should warn the most powerful people in our world to bow the knee to Jesus Christ, serve Him, and keep His commandments. Moreover, it is absolutely essential that we as Christians elect leaders that fear God, because we have the certain Word of God in this passage that He will destroy kings and nations that refuse to fear Him. Why should we contribute to the destruction of our nation by electing leaders who refuse to fear God?

How does this psalm teach us to worship God?

1. Our worship must contain these declarations of the kingly rights of Jesus Christ. And it is quite appropriate to apply these declarations to our own leaders or even to those of other nations such as China, Pakistan, or Iran.

2. We worship God with fear and rejoicing, and even our rejoicing trembles. Do we tremble and shake in worship with the saints on Sunday? Do we have such an awe of His power, majesty, justice, and love? As we see nations destroyed at the hand of our King we should stand in awe of His terrible judgment that comes upon those that will not kiss the Son and recognize His kingship.

Questions:

1. Give an example of a Teaching psalm.

2. Give an example of a Messianic psalm.

3. Why does God laugh at these rulers?

4. Who is this King that God has appointed over the whole earth?

5. If our King rules from a place called Mount Zion, what is this place?

Family Discussion Questions:

1. Should our rulers in this country kiss the Son? How do our leaders express rebellion against God? How would our president kiss the Son?

2. Should we elect rulers that really fear God and serve the Lord Jesus Christ? How do you know if a man fears God?