Kings Against the Lord

Text: Psalm 2

Psalm 2 contains prophecies of four things about Jesus – His crucifixion, His kingdom, the spread of His gospel, and His final judgment. This lesson will examine this psalm and how it points us to Christ.

Prophecy of the Crucifixion (Psalm 2:1-3)

  • His Anointed” (v. 2) – refers to Christ (Luke 4:16-21; Acts 10:38); consecrated, set apart for a divine mission
  • Nations, kings, and rulers would oppose Jesus (v. 1-2) – began after His birth (Matthew 2:16); led to His crucifixion by the Jews and Romans (Acts 2:23)
  • They opposed Jesus because He was a threat to them and their power (v. 3) – He is over all earthly powers and authorities (Ephesians 1:20-21); they wanted to be the ultimate power

Prophecy of the Establishment of the Kingdom (Psalm 2:4-6)

  • The Lord laughs at them (v. 4) – made a public display of them (Colossians 2:15); the full power of civil authority was used against Jesus and He overcame them (Acts 2:24)
  • Jesus was installed as king (v. 6) over a spiritual kingdom (John 18:36) – death was not going to prevent Him from establishing His kingdom (Matthew 16:18-19; Luke 23:42)
  • The establishment of Christ’s kingdom was a fulfillment of prophecy (Isaiah 2:2; Daniel 2:44) – God used their efforts to oppose Jesus as the means of defeating them (Acts 2:23-24)

Prophecy of the Spread of the Gospel (Psalm 2:7-9)

  • Jesus was declared to be the Son of God (v. 7) through the resurrection (Romans 1:3-4) – He was God’s spokesman (Hebrews 1:2) and the mediator of the new covenant (Hebrews 9:14-15); He was in an exalted position (Hebrews 1:5-6; cf. Acts 2:32-36)
  • The “nations” would be His inheritance (v. 8) – His kingdom would consume the world (Daniel 2:44); the way the nations would be brought into His kingdom would be through the gospel (2 Thessalonians 2:14); the Great Commission was for the apostles to go to the whole world (Mark 16:15-16; cf. Isaiah 2:3)
  • The gospel would be successful – those who opposed the Lord would be broken and shattered (v. 9); the gospel would be preached throughout the world (Colossians 1:23); since it was from God, no one could oppose it (Acts 5:38-39)

Prophecy of the Final Judgment (Psalm 2:10-12)

  • Kings and judges mentioned because that was who was discussed at the beginning of the psalm – however, the judgment discussed here would be for all men (2 Corinthians 5:10)
  • There is a final judgment (Hebrews 9:27); we will be judged by the Lord’s words (John 12:48)
  • How we prepare (v. 11-12) – worship the Lord and rejoice in Him (John 4:24; Philippians 4:4); fear Him (Hebrews 12:28); honor and serve the Son (John 5:22-23)
  • Those who reject Him will receive His wrath (2 Thessalonians 1:5-9)
  • Those who trust in Him and obey Him will be blessed/saved (Matthew 11:28-30; John 5:24-29)

Conclusion

  • Psalm 2 prophesied of what was coming with Jesus and most have been fulfilled – He sacrificed His life on the cross, established His kingdom, and sent His gospel into all the world
  • One prophecy yet to be fulfilled – the final judgment
  • We need to be prepared for that day – do this by putting our trust in Him and obeying His word