God's King Rules (Psalm 2)

Psalm 2:1-12; 6a

"I have installed my king..." (Ps 2:6, NIV). For the Lord declares, "I have placed my chosen king on the throne...." (Ps 2:6, NLT).

From Psalm 1, we learn the "secret" of happiness, which is really no secret at all, since it is self-evident and freely accessible to anyone and everyone. For anyone to be happy, we simply need to be prayerful and watchful about how we live (Ps 1:1)--who we hang out with (including on the internet), and what we entertain and desire in our hearts (Ps 1:2)--what we delight in and meditate on, which God sees and knows (1 Sam 16:7).

In Psalm 2, God's King Rules, the psalmist declares that God's king will rule, regardless if the kings and nations of the world oppose and rebel against Him. A longer title would be "The world rebels, yet God's King still rules." The four natural parts of this sermon, each with three verses, are:

1. Kings (and nations) Oppose God (Ps 2:1-3): God challenged (Gentile kings revolt).
   
2. God Installs His King (Ps 2:4-6): God laughs (Heaven's perspective on revolt).
3. God's King Rules (Ps 2:7-9): God decrees (King speaks).
4. Serve God's King (Ps 2:10-12): God summons (King advises).

I. Kings (and nations) Oppose God (Ps 2:1-3)

II. God Installs His King (Ps 2:4-6)

III. God's King Rules (Ps 2:7-9)

IV. Serve God's King (Ps 2:10-12)

Psalm 2 speaks of the Davidic kings of Israel. The NT reveals that ultimately Christ himself is the King who fulfills Psalm 2.

References:

1. Motyer, J Alec. The Psalms. New Bible Commentary. Downers Grove, Illinois: Intervarsity Press, 1994.
2. Kidner, Derek. Psalms 1 - 72: An Introduction and Commentary. Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries. Downers Grove, Illinois: Intervarsity Press, 1973.
3. Psalm 2. D.A. Carson. 3 NT texts. Heb 1:5 (Ps 2:7; 2 Sa 7:14, 1-17: 1-10 [A king with religious initiatives rebuffed]; 7:11-14 [A king suitably broken given superb privileges]) - superior over angels; Heb 5:5 (Ps 2:7) - high priest; Ac 13:32 (Ps 2:7) - raised from the dead. Psalm 2 can be broken down into 4 parts:
1. God challenged (1-3).
2. God laughs (4-6).
3. God decrees (7-9).
4. God summons (10-12).