Well, I learned from my pastor that the late Rich Mullins wrote a song based on this psalm:
and the peoples plot in vain?
2The kings of the earth take their stand
and the rulers gather together
against the LORD
and against his Anointed One.
3“Let us break their chains,†they say,
“and throw off their fetters.â€
4The One enthroned in heaven laughs;
the Lord scoffs at them.
5Then he rebukes them in his anger
and terrifies them in his wrath, saying,
6“I have installed my King
on Zion, my holy hill.â€
7I will proclaim the decree of the LORD:
He said to me, “You are my Son;
today I have become your Father.
8Ask of me,
and I will make the nations your inheritance,
the ends of the earth your possession.
9You will rule them with an iron scepterf;
you will dash them to pieces like pottery.â€
10Therefore, you kings, be wise;
be warned, you rulers of the earth.
11Serve the LORD with fear
and rejoice with trembling.
12Kiss the Son, lest he be angry
and you be destroyed in your way,
for his wrath can flare up in a moment.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him.
The New Testament frequently quotes and alludes to Psalm 2:
Matthew 3:17, at Jesus’ baptism: And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
Matthew 17:5, on the Mount of Transfiguration: While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”
Acts 4:25-27, in Peter’s sermon: You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: “‘Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his Anointed One.” Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed.
Acts 13:32-33, in Paul’s sermon: We tell you the good news: What God promised our fathers he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus. As it is written in the second Psalm: “You are my Son; today I have become your Father.”
Hebrews 1:5, as further proof of Jesus’ uniqueness: For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father”? Or again, “I will be his Father, and he will be my Son”?
Hebrews 5:5, as God the Father’s Chosen One: So Christ also did not take upon himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father.”
What I learned: Jesus is Lord. He always has been. He is the unique Son of the Living God of the Universe. Whatever the powerful people of this earth may say or do, all the books we write, all the speeches we make, all the influence we think we have, God is above and beyond, transcending all our petty power games and manipulations. Jesus is Lord.
I want to personally thank you for posting these thoughts on the book of Psalms. It certainly is a labor of love to do this on your blog, and I just want you to know I appreciate it and look forward to reading them each morning. God bless!
Amen to this!
I didn’t know Rich Mullens had written this song either. I’m enjoying listening to it right now and my one year old has decided it’s the perfect song to dance to. =D So we’re both enjoying it. =)