Nations in Uproar
2 1 Why do the nations rage, and the peoples plot in vain? 2 The kings of the earth take their stand, and the rulers conspire together against our Father and against his Anointed One — Jesus a a v2 The Anointed One — Messiah — is Jesus. The early church prayed this very psalm about the rulers who conspired against him (Acts 4:25-26). 3 "Let us tear off their chains, " they say, "and throw their ropes away from us.
4 Our Father, enthroned in heaven, laughs; the Sovereign Father scoffs at them. 5 Then he will speak to them in his anger and terrify them in his fury:
6 "I myself have installed my King on Zion, my holy mountain.
7 I will proclaim the decree of our Father: he said to me, "You are my Son; today I have begotten you. b b v7 Our Father's eternal decree to the Son. The New Testament applies these words directly to Jesus — Acts 13:33, Hebrews 1:5, and Hebrews 5:5 — declaring him the Son begotten of the Father. 8 "Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, and the ends of the earth your possession. 9 You will break them with a rod of iron; you will shatter them like a potter's jar.
10 Now then, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. 11 Serve our Father with reverence, and rejoice with trembling. 12 Kiss the Son — Jesus — or he will be angry and you will perish along the way, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in him. c c v12 The psalm ends with refuge in the Son — Jesus. To trust him is to be welcomed home by the Father who enthroned him.