Coronation song
The West’s faith in the God who came down to save us has long been hemorrhaging away. But those who disregard God’s Messiah still find true rest only in surrendering to him.
1 Why are the nations in riotous uproar
their peoples concocting futile plots?
2 Earth’s kings take their stand
its princes conspiring together
against YHWH and his anointed king:
3 “Let’s break off their shackles
and break free from their chains!”
4 Laughing out loud
the one enthroned in heaven above scoffs at them.
5 Then he angrily rebukes them
the heat of his anger terrifying them:
6 “I hereby install my king
on Zion, my holy mountain!”
7 I will declare what YHWH decreed.
He said:
“You are my son—
today I’ve become 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 all that awaits you is blessing
if you take refuge in him.
The first psalm contrasted the God-blessed man (the Messiah), who obeys God faithfully, with those who disregard God to assert self-rule. This psalm builds on that, as the second half of the Psalter’s introductory frame (see Psalm 1 above). Here the world’s leaders defiantly unite to rid themselves of God’s “interference” in their lives. He responds by laughing at their attempted coup and then angrily rebuking them for their insolence.
In the ancient Middle East, emperors adopted vassal kings as their 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] And since his 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—humbly, reverently, gladly. What’s to deliberate when the choice is between God’s blessing and his judgment, which could fall any moment? Then for all its drama and passion, 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 Psalter with this psalm, its post-exilic compiler 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) return to 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 all that awaits you is blessing
if you take refuge in him.
[1] The psalm has chiastic elements, focusing on the Messiah’s appointment: A: Earth’s peoples 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 his king (v. 8), B: The Messiah’s action to put down the rebellion (v. 9), A: Everyone called to submit joyfully (vv. 10-12).
