1Why are the nations in an uproar and the peoples devising a vain thing?
2The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers take counsel together
against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying,
3“Let us tear their fetters apart and cast away their cords from us!” Psalm 2:1-3

A few weeks ago leaders from around the world met together to commiserate about a coming catastrophe and to devise a plan to stop it. Let’s for a moment accept the premise that there is such a looming world crisis involving that which only God can control, the weather.

Two things are apparent and addressed in this Psalm. First, any such plan is and will be considered an affront to the Lord. “The rulers take counsel together against the Lord and against his anointed.” “Lord” is the Hebrew word “Yahweh,” translated “one true God.” “Anointed” refers to the Messiah, his son Jesus Christ. Second, man’s efforts are doomed from the start to fail. They are “devising a vain thing.”

4He who sits in the heavens laughs, the Lord scoffs at them.
5Then He will speak to them in His anger and terrify them in His fury, saying,
6“But as for Me, I have installed My King Upon Zion, My holy mountain.” Psalm 2:4-6

The thought that his creation can “cast off his cords” is laughable, and only triggers his wrath. In what they may think is their vindication and a wonderful opportunity to seize, that is devastation manifested in many forms, will actually be his retribution against them for scheming to usurp his throne.

7“I will surely tell of the decree of the Lord: He said to Me, ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.
8‘Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance, and the very ends of the earth as Your possession.
9You shall break them with a rod of iron, you shall shatter them like earthenware.’” Psalm 2:7-9

While rulers scurry about implementing their feeble plans, almighty God will have enthroned his Son to rule over all with a rod of iron. Only he will have jurisdiction over us, and when it is least expected, these “paper tigers” will be “blown to smithereens.”

10Now therefore, O kings, show discernment; Take warning, O judges of the earth.
11Worship the Lord with reverence And rejoice with trembling.
12Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way,
For His wrath may soon be kindled. How blessed are all who take refuge in Him! Psalm 2:10-12

Those with discernment will recognize God’s hand in everything and fear him. In turn, they will worship him and rejoice. They will take refuge in him and be blessed. To “do homage” is interesting here. “Homage” means to “kiss” in Hebrew. Translation of “to the son” here is different than elsewhere in the Psalm, referring to someone worthy of worship by the “nations.” See Verse 1. If all would kiss the ring of the King of kings, the coming sudden wrath would be averted. As it stands, every knee shall bow, but as a prelude to eternal judgement for those who have not feared him.