Psalms

Psalms 2: God has set His King

Begin in prayer

Before the noise of the nations fills our thoughts, let us remember the King God has set over them. Ask the Lord to turn our resistance into trust in His Son.

There was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all the peoples, nations, and languages should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.

Daniel 7:14

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word, and help us to see Christ. Show us that God has set His Son as King and calls rebels to take refuge in Him. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

The nations gather against the LORD and His Anointed, treating His rule as bonds they want to break. Their revolt cannot shake God's throne, and He declares that He has set His King on Zion. The King then tells how the LORD calls Him His Son and gives Him the nations. Because His judgment will break rebellion, the rulers are urged to serve the LORD with fear. The closing words invite everyone to take refuge in the Son.

As you read Psalms 2, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God has set His Son as King, and all who take refuge in Him are blessed.

The rulers think freedom means throwing off the LORD and His King. God answers from heaven, where their plans cannot threaten His throne. Zion is the holy hill in Jerusalem, the place named for His King's rule. Anointed means set apart for office, and Christ is the title for God's Anointed One. Acts 4 verses 25 to 28 name Herod, Pilate, the Gentiles and Israel as those who gathered against Jesus. Their wicked plot led to the cross, yet it carried out what God's hand and purpose had determined. The King's iron rod warns that His rule includes the destruction of rebellion. The same Son who judges is the refuge offered to all who come.

How does Psalm 2 show us that God has set His Son as King, and all who take refuge in Him are blessed?

God's King rules despite the nations' rebellion.

Earth's rulers gather and speak as though they can undo God's rule. The LORD answers with the King He has already set on His holy hill. His laughter shows how helpless their revolt is before Him.

The Son receives the nations and judges rebellion.

The inheritance reaches to the ends of the earth. No earthly power can set a boundary to the Son's rightful rule. The iron rod and broken pottery show the certainty and strength of His judgment.

The Son blesses everyone who takes refuge in Him.

The warning comes with a call to wisdom, service and reverence. Giving homage means bowing to the King's rightful authority. Refuge is found in the Son Himself, so turn to Him rather than resisting His rule.

Memorise

Blessed are all those who take refuge in him.

Psalm 2:12

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, where am I resisting the rule of Jesus?

The LORD declares, “Yet I have set my King on my holy hill of Zion.” The world's anger cannot remove that King. And the psalm's final blessing reaches all who take refuge in Him.

Jesus is God's Son, the King whom sinners rejected. At the cross He bore the punishment His people deserved, receiving judgment so that rebels could find refuge. On the third day He rose victorious. His saving work is finished, and nothing needs to be added to it.

So come to Him. Turn from your sin and put your trust in Jesus. King Jesus gives forgiveness to every sinner who turns to Him in faith. Do not treat His patience as permission to rebel. Bow before the Son whose mercy offers shelter before the day of His anger.

Parent's note

Tell your children that God has set His Son as King and calls rebels to take refuge in Him. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that His Son reigns and receives those who take refuge in Him. Bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into his hand.

John 3:35

Father, thank You for setting Your Son as King. Forgive our proud resistance to His rule. Please turn our hearts from sin and teach us to trust Jesus as our refuge. When we hear threatening words this week, remind us that His throne stands firm. Amen.