PSALM TWO HISTORY IN FOUR PARTS. In the second Psalm the singer shows four pictures which illustrate four principles which are always active in the human situation. It is as though David takes four transparencies and projects them before our minds. Let us therefore consider the Psalm in this light, and refer to each idea as a picture. The first picture portrayed is humanity in revolt. We are aware that modern psychologists have many weird and wonderful explanations for the revolt that is fermenting around the world today. But the truth of the matter is that rebellion has always been in the heart of man. It is UNREST in the soul. There are phrases used by the Psalmist so long ago which are so apt for this day and age. THE NATIONS RAGE - what a phrase to depict the social unrest world-wide - nations like a pack of snarling dogs. The symptoms are the same in every land. Education does not change the heart of man, in fact, the student body world-wide rebel more than any other part of society. THE PEOPLE IMAGINE A VAIN THING - after years of persuading ourselves that the right party in control will bring us the good life, we are still just playing with an idea, and political unrest grows among the people of the world. The Theologians tell us that God is dead. Rebellious humanity takes up the cry, for they are persuaded that we control our own destiny. If it is true that humanity controls its own destiny, then the earth must be full of masochists - man is continually torturing himself. Oh, the vanity of mankind! - to try and plan its own destiny, when all the time God is in control. It is man's rebellion which brings disaster and pain. The psalmist continues to paint the picture with the words, "THE KINGS OF THE EARTH SET THEMSELVES, THE RULERS TAKE COUNCIL TOGETHER." The world is in the grip of ideological unrest. Politics have become some people's religion. From the highest to the lowest, the world is a seething cauldron of unrest. Then the Psalmist changes the picture. The second view he gives us is of DIVINITY IN CONTROL. God sits! With all earth in rebellion, the Divine can afford to remain seated. He has set in process a plan which cannot fail. All He has to do is to wait for that plan to come to pass. Whilst there is wild excitement upon earth, there is wonderful calm in heaven. The contrast in the psalm is startling. It gives the believer great assurance - if God be for us, who can be against us! The Christian Bible says, "He maketh the wrath of Nations to please Him, and the remainder He does restrain." So, the fact comes into focus that, our God is not a distant, silent, amused, unconcerned spectator. How does He act? He speaks. Here is an emphasis upon the power of the WORD. When He speaks it happens - it comes into being. God says that despite everything, He has set His King upon His Holy Hill of Zion. Once again, the scene changes. The new picture is back on earth. "I will tell you of a decree!", sings the Psalmist. The focal point of the decree is - THIS DAY HAVE I BEGOTTEN THEE - so it concerns the only begotten of the Father. The only prophet to be born of a virgin is Jesus Christ. The Almighty's decree concerning His Son is in two parts:- One: "Ask of me and I will give you the heathen and all the earth." Two: You will rule and judge the earth, breaking with a rod of iron and dashing to pieces like pottery. Here is God's answer to rebellion. All Christians believe that Christ's resurrection is the pledge of His Universal Triumph. One day Christ will reign over all the earth. It is folly to resist God's Decree. Then the final picture is painted in song. It is a view of joyful reconciliation. The rebels are instructed to be wise. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom. Serve the Lord with fear. Remember that everything is working out His Will. Let awe rest in your hearts - it takes away unrest. Rejoice with trembling. Your joy must be tempered with the reminder that it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of a living God. Kiss the Son! Be reconciled to the Son. Jesus Christ is the central figure on the Human Scene. Happy are all they who put their trust in Him! Copyright (c) 1995, Hedley Palmer. All rights reserved. ---------------------------------------------------- file: /pub/resources/text/hpalmer/psalms: ps-002.txt .