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Glory of the Son

Last week, we saw from Psalm 1 the “delight and the deliberation” of the righteous person with the Word of God. We saw that the Word of God is the pivot that determines the road we take- the way of the righteous or the way of the wicked.

Hopefully, what I am going to ask is not an indictment, but the question that must be answered this week is this. Having heard the message last week is, “How many of us spent time meditating on the Word of God?”

We saw there are no alternatives and no excuses to meditating on God’s Word.

Is the answer a shameful, No! Were we too busy, encumbered with activity and like Martha, “worried and bothered by many things, and lacking that one thing” that makes for life and godliness?

My prayer for us is that we will not stop at just being critical hearers but be committed doers of God’s Word.

(Here’s another reminder: Have you asked around, what is it that you can pray for your brother and sister instead of asking for prayer?)

Introduction

This week we will look at Psalm 2. We will title this “The Glory of the Son”.

Read Psalm 2.

We said in our study we would look at the Psalms as a gem and study its various facets. Our intent is to study this Psalm from
• The author’s perspective,
• The reader’s perspective, and
• God’s perspective.

A Quick Rundown

However, before we do that here is a run down on the Psalm.

A. Most Quoted Psalm in the New Testament referring to the Messiah

This is a royal psalm (Psalm about the king) and a messianic psalm (a psalm that speaks of the God’s anointed). In fact, Psalm 2 is quoted seven times in the New Testament referring to the Messiah:
(Acts 4:24-28; Acts 13:33; Hebrews 1:5; Hebrews 5:5; and Revelation 2:27, Revelation 12:5; Revelation 19:15).

There is an obvious prominence given to this Psalm and it will be good for us find out why?

B. Defying of the Law

Notice the defying of the law as the narration changes between the two Psalms. It moves from the individual to the collective.

We had previously compared the first Book of Psalms to that of Book of Genesis. In both cases we saw man rejecting God’s Word.

In the Book of Genesis, we see that it is not too long before the rebels come together to team up against God Himself. [We read this in Genesis 11]. That is what we see mirrored in Psalm 2. The rebel has teamed up with others. Birds of a feather have flocked together.

Do we not see that even today? Those that love the Word will flock together; and those who don’t form a separate team.

We are still known by the company we keep.

C. Delighting in the Law

Together these two Psalms remind us that when we delight in the ‘Word of God’ we indicate our subjection and our love to the ‘God of the Word’.

In Psalms 2 curtains are drawn slightly to reveal that this “God of the Word” is none other than the Son Himself.

• Psalm 1 is about the inspired Word of God, and
• Psalm 2 is about the incarnate Word of God.

In fact, we are given four titles by way of introduction; one in each of the four sections of the Psalm:
• The Anointed (v. 2)
• The King (v. 6)
• The Son (v. 7)
• The Lord (v. 11)

D. Lord is the refuge

See verse 12. The Psalm does not end without assuring the righteous that the LORD Himself will be his or her refuge.

Again, together the two Psalms are bookended with a blessing. Lord as a refuge is a blessing indeed when we consider that the wicked will not withstand judgment and that the ungodly will perish on the way.

Meditating on the Psalm

Let us begin by examining this gem of a Psalm.

A. AUTHOR’S PERSPECTIVE

Psalm 2 does not have a superscription to identify who wrote it, but Acts 4:24-26 clearly attributes it to David. So we know can look at this Psalm from the author’s perspective.

The two things the author and by extension every king of Israel are called to remember are:

(1) The king’s realization he is God’s anointed [Ps 2:6-7]

It was the practice that kings in Israel would be anointed before the Lord; and therefore they really were in a sense “a messiah” or the “anointed” to the people of Israel.

This anointing was considered sacred.
For example, we read David reminding his motely crew each time David’s men ask for an opportunity to kill Saul. Remember the time in the cave:

He said to his men, “The LORD forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the LORD’s anointed [mashiyach], to put out my hand against him, seeing he is the LORD’s anointed [mashiyach]” [1 Sam 24:6]

[Additional Info: There is also many references to David being called a messiah in the Scriptures: Is 55:3-4; Jer 30:9; Ezek 34:24-25; 37:24-25].

Faithful Representation
As God’s anointed there was a responsibility that a messiah had to represent the demands of heaven and that he was to do it faithfully.

Therefore, what sets Christ apart from all the other messiahs was that Jesus Christ was the most and the only True and Faithful—“He is the only one who pleased God”. [Rev 3:14; 19:11; 21:5; 22:6].

(2) The king’s relationship as God’s son [Vs. 7]

Notice [vs.7], “the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee...”

This verse has tripped up many when they apply this directly to the Lord Jesus Christ without the context. We must understand that this verse first and foremost applies to David and that it is in its application that we see the fulfillment in Jesus Christ.

This verse has a reference first to the Davidic Covenant in 2 Sam 7:14.

“I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men,…” [2 Sam 7:14]

What is happening here? God wanted the kings of Israel to regard Him as their Father. This speaks of intimacy, which no other kings of the world would ever experience. What we see here is not just the formal representation of God’s rule towards His people, but also the warm relationship with the anointed ruler.

In this context we understand that the verse, “Today I have begotten you”, does not speak of the day David was born, but the day of his coronation as king.

Regarding our Lord Jesus Christ, Gerald Cooke puts it well in his book, The Israelite King as Son of God, “In one sense, this is what Jesus meant when He spoke of Himself as the Son of God. It was His claim to be the long promised and faithful Messiah.”

The verse is applicable to the Messiah; Our Lord Jesus Christ in that God the Father is declaring Jesus Christ as the True and Faithful, the only one capable to sitting at the right hand of the throne of God.

Application to David (and by extension to other kings)

David understood two things that because God installed His king on the throne of Israel
• Any rebellion against God’s vice-regent (i.e. the king of Israel) would prove ultimately futile, and
• That the king’s stability depended on his submission to the throne of God.

This is a good reminder and an encouragement for every king who sat on the throne that he was thus anointed and affirmed by the throne in heaven.

That is why David on his deathbed had this to say to Solomon in 1 Kings 2:1-4.

“I’m about to leave this world. Be strong and mature. Fulfill your duty to the Lord your God. Obey his directions, laws, commands, rules, and written instructions as they are recorded in Moses’ Teachings. Then you’ll succeed in everything you do wherever you may go. You’ll succeed because the Lord will keep the promise he made to me: ‘If your descendants are faithful to me with all their hearts and lives, you will never fail to have an heir on the throne of Israel.’ [1 Kings 2:1-4]

The failure of the kings of Israel and kings of Judah is already known to us. From the records of the Kings we find that the Scriptures had this to say to only three kings of Judah (to the best of my research):

“He walked in the ways of David and did that which was right in the sight of the Lord.”

That was Asa (1 kings 15:11); Hezekiah (2 Kings 18:3); and Josiah (2 Kings 22:2). And yet, we know they were nowhere near as faithful as The Messiah- Our Lord Jesus Christ.

The message of the Psalm to David, Solomon and to all the kings till Jesus Christ.
Keep the word and kiss the Son or Follow the Law and pay homage to the Son. There is no alternative; no excuse.

B. PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE

Let us now turn the gem and look at it from a personal perspective.

Merriam-Webster defines freedom as, “liberation from restraint” or “Unrestricted use”.
I understand the basis of that definition; we must remember that this is a terrible scriptural lie.

i. The right restraint

The quicker we realize that true freedom is not in the lack of restraint but in the right restraint, the better it will be:

Psalms 2:3 says, “Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.”

See the rendering in NLT.
“Let us break their chains,” they cry, “and free ourselves from slavery to God.”

That has been the cry of man since the Garden of Eden and in some ways this is true even in our lives through saved and regenerated.

We don’t want to be told.
We want to make up our own rules. We want to be our own king – “the master of my fate, the captain of our own soul”. We want to be without restraint.

Have you wondered, “Why this desperate urge to break free and live without restraint?”

Turn to Proverb 29:18.

This verse would rank among the most misapplied and half-quoted verse in the Bible.

This is how we have heard this verse,
“Where there is no vision people perish”

Companies have applied it to the need to have a vision statement etc.
However, let me read that to you in ESV (and also read the entire verse):

Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint,
but blessed is he who keeps the law. [Prov 29:18]

Let’s get both the parts; it reads,
first of all, “Where there is no Word of God and the light of its revelation, people perish”.
Secondly, it reminds us “the person who keeps the Word of God is blessed.”

This verse in fact is mirroring the exact truth we have been considering in Psalm 1 and 2.

Where there is no Word of God people want to “break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords”; However, blessed is he who delights in the Law and meditates on it day and night.

True freedom is found when bound by the Word of God and roped in by the God of the Word.

Without these right restraints we will perish.

ii. A vain thing

Really we think we can work against the plan of God. That’s "A vain thing” the Psalmist reminds us.

C.H. Spurgeon wrote this about Diocletian, the Roman Emperor who unleashed what is probably the worst Christian persecution of that time.

A medal was struck by Diocletian, which still remains, bearing the inscription, "The name of Christians being extinguished."
And in Spain, two monumental pillars were raised, on which were written:—
I. On one, "Diocletian Jovian Maximian Herculeus Caesares Augusti, for having extended the Roman Empire in the east and the west, and for having extinguished the name of Christians, who brought the Republic to ruin."
II. On the second, "Diocletian Jovian Maximian Herculeus Caesares Augusti, for having adopted Galerius in the east, for having everywhere abolished the superstition of Christ, for having extended the worship of the gods."

As a modern writer has elegantly observed: "We have here a monument raised by Paganism, over the grave of its vanquished foe. But in this 'the people imagined a vain thing;' so far from being deceased, Christianity was on the eve of its final and permanent triumph, and the stone guarded a sepulcher empty as the urn which Electra washed with her tears. Neither in Spain, nor elsewhere, can be pointed out the burial place of Christianity; it is not, for the living have no tomb.
[http://www.spurgeon.org/treasury/ps002.htm. Accessed: April 3, 2014].

Take North Korea for example.
For the 11th year in a row, according to Opens Doors, North Korea is considered to be the worst country for Christian persecution. After the take over by Communism in the late 40’s, they set about obliterating any influence of Christianity, so much so that by the 60’s it is said that there was no evidence of Christianity [or in fact any other religion]. Atheistic Communism seems to have won but not so; as of today it is estimated that there are still between 100,000 to 400,000 Christians in North Korea.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_North_Korea. Accessed: April 3, 2014).

“Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?” [Ps 2:1]

The word meaning given in Vine’s Dictionary for Bands,
“break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords” is “Yoke”.

The invitation therefore is to each one of us:

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” [Matt 11:28-30]

Come be found under the right restraint.

iii. The LORD Scoffs

The LORD scoffs at those who reject His Word. Psalm 1 tells us that there are those who scoffed at God and His ways; they better watch out, for the LORD has the last scoff.

“He who sits in the heavens laughs, the Lord scoffs at them” [2:4].

Interestingly, this God who sits in heavens is seen standing when Stephen was being stoned. I gather, He doesn’t take it lightly when His children are persecuted.

iv. The LORD is our refuge

The Psalm ends with God’s gracious invitation:
“How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!”

As Derek Kidner aptly puts it, “And there is no refuge from Him: only in him”.
Don’t run from God, run to Him.

Let that be our reminder as we read this Psalm.

C. MESSIANIC PERSPECTIVE

Finally, let us see it from the Messianic perspective.

We saw that this Psalm is referenced seven times in the New Testament in reference to the Messiah. The first of the references we see in Acts 4: 27-28.

And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit, “‘Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his Anointed’—for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, [being the four groups of people of Psalm 2] to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” [Acts 4:24-30].

The four groups “Herod, Pontius Pilate, Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together” – an unholy unity against the LORD’s Messiah.

The truth is, when nations oppose God’s anointed they set themselves against the LORD Himself.

We read that the Messiah will:

“You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.” [Ps 2:9].

This is an imagery-- It was customary of kings particularly Pharaohs to break pots of clay with their scepter to indicate how they will deal with those who rebel against the king.

See other references to the rule of the Messiah.

We read in the Book of Revelation, in talking about the woman who bears a son:

And she brought forth a man-child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne. [Rev 12:5].

Again, we read in Rev 19:11-16.

And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

Did you get that?

We are back to the Word of God; in this case Word of God is personified. This is Jesus Christ – He is the KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

All the previous messiahs had fallen short – each one of them. They were anointed to be God’s representative but they failed miserably. However, God in His grace had already prepared the Messiah. We read about it right first in Genesis and also here in Psalm 2.

Unknowing to man, God weaved into the tapestry of His revelation the glory of His Son, His king, His Messiah. [Ps 2:6].

I don’t think David fully understand the implication of what he was inspired to write. Just like the three year old writing a birthday card to his grandma. The mother holds his hand to make him write, “Happy Birthday Grandma”, and after he has written will look up and ask, “What does that say?”

This is a revelation of the True and Faithful Messiah who will…

• Do all that God pleases.
"BEHOLD my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles." [Isaiah 42:1]

"And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." [Matthew 3:16-17]

“…for I always do what pleases him'' [John 8:29].

• Complete all the work that was given Him.
“I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do”. [John 17:3]

• Represent God perfectly like no other.
“He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power.” [Heb 1:3].

Psalm 1 and Psalm 2 tells us, like the rest of the passages of the Bible, that we cannot and shouldn’t get away from both the Inspired Word of God and the Incarnate Word of God.

Our take away for this week, is just that:

Kiss the Son-Pay Homage to Him- Make the Word of God and the God of the Word your refuge.

Let me end with a true story…

It was 1898 and Ben had left the East 8 years ago to head out West in hopes of making his fortune. Well he wasn't rich, but he had accumulated over 300 acres of good land and built a comfortable farmhouse on it. He raised wheat, corn, and all of his vegetables. He had managed to build his herd of cattle to over 200 head. Having accomplished all of this in only 8 years, he decided that it was now time.
The ad that he placed in the New York newspaper said, "Wanted: A good woman willing to be a pen pal. Marriage is a possibility for the right woman." Before long, he began receiving letters from Molly. Their correspondence soon turned into love for each other. Now, here he stood in the Kansas City train station waiting to finally meet her.
When the train arrived, there were a lot of women getting off. Suddenly, he yelled, "Molly -- over here!"
She looked his way, walked over to him, smiled and held out her hand. He took it for a moment, and then let it go. She said, "How did you know who I was?"
He then reached into the back pocket of his overalls and said, "From these here letters."
"But there are no pictures in them."
He dropped his head a bit and said, "Oh yes there are! There are lots of pictures in your words." You see he had spent hours reading every word -- looking for every little clue that would tell him who Molly really was. He had fallen in love with her words -- words that had painted her portrait.
God's precious word paints a vivid portrait of who he is. We as his bride should fall in love with his word so that we can then fall in love with its author.
From: Many A Tear Has To Fall by Wayne Hudson, Padon Press. https://bible.org/illustration/portrait-painted. Accessed: April 3, 2014.

Would you recognize your Lord in a crowd? There is enough given in the Word of God to help you make Him stand out. The story of Ben and Molly is a true story. Will yours be a true story between you and the LORD’s anointed?