Coronation song
The West’s faith in the God who came down to save us has long been hemorrhaging away. But those who disregard the Messiah still find true rest only in surrendering to him.
1 What nonsense!
Mere earthlings, whole nations
furiously plotting the overthrow of heaven!
2 Earth’s kings take a stand
and its princes conspire against YHWH
and his anointed king.
3 “Let’s break their chains off us,” they bellow
“and throw these tyrants’ shackles away
once and for all!”
4 Enthroned in heaven above
the Lord laughs out loud at the absurdity of it all.
5 Then he angrily rebukes them
the heat of his anger terrifying them:
6 “It’s all over and done:
I’ve already installed my king
on Zion, my holy mountain.”
7 This is what YHWH decreed:
“I hereby make you my royal son
and myself your royal father.
8 Just ask me
and I’ll make the nations your coronation gift!
Draw your boundaries
around earth’s remotest corners.
9 You’ll crush all resistance
like an iron rod smashing a clay pot.”
10 So look out, you kings
and wise up, you judges!
11 Submit to YHWH reverently
gladly, though trembling in awe.
12 Quick, fall before the son and kiss his feet
lest he destroy you while you deliberate!
His anger could flare up in a moment
but how blessed
are all who take refuge in him.
The first psalm pictured two alternative ways of living—serving God and asserting self-rule. This psalm builds on that, as the second half of the book’s introductory frame (see Psalm 1 above). Here the world’s leaders defiantly unite in trying to rid themselves of God’s “interference” in their lives. He responds by laughing at their attempted coup. Then, angered by their insolence, he rebukes them.
In the ancient Middle East, an emperor adopted vassal kings as his sons, thus giving them a son’s full rights and responsibilities. Here God announces the coronation of his royal son as a fait accompli. Even as God’s enemies plot their move, he installs his king on Zion’s holy hill, declaring him his chosen son. This decree is the heart of the psalm.[1] Since the anointed king reigns in his stead, God invites him to go big and ask for the whole earth as his kingdom. His enemies are no match for him at all.
The psalmist then urges everyone resisting to surrender unconditionally—promptly, reverently, humbly, gladly. What’s to deliberate when the choice is between God’s blessing and his judgment, which could fall at anytime? For all its passion and drama, the psalm ends with the calm assurance that all who submit to God’s chosen king find rest and joy.
The Hebrew word mashiah, or “anointed” (v. 2), described every Israelite king, but especially David’s greater son, the Messiah, whose eternal reign the prophet Nathan had predicted. Emphasizing God’s sovereignty against all odds, this psalm focuses on the ultimate Davidic king, whose mandate literally encompasses the earth. By framing the entire book with this psalm, the post-exilic Psalms editor declared that God’s purposes hadn’t been thwarted by the apparent end of David’s line. Beginning with the rage of those opposing God’s rule, Psalm 2 ends with the blessedness of all who submit to it. The Psalter’s concluding psalms (Psa. 146-150) touch on these same themes.
Prayer:
Thank you, Jesus, that your foes are no match for you. Even when all seems lost, you reign in wisdom, power, and love. Thank you for the refuge you offer—constant flourishing, even when surrounded by foes. I bow in worship before you and kiss your nail-scarred feet. Amen.
During your free moments today, meditate on these words:
Quick, fall before the son and kiss his feet
lest he destroy you while you deliberate!
His anger could flare up in a moment
but if you run to him for shelter
all that awaits you is blessing.
[1] The psalm’s chiastic structure focuses on the Messiah’s appointment: A: Earth’s kings depicted in angry rebellion (vv. 1-3), B: God’s reaction to their rebellion (vv. 4-5), C: God’s announcement to the rebels (v. 6), D: GOD’S CORONATION OF HIS MESSIAH (v. 7), C: God’s invitation to the true king (v. 8), B: The Messiah’s action to put down the rebellion (v. 9), A: Earth’s kings called to submit joyfully (vv. 10-12).
