By The Rev. Ron Purkey
Guest Columnist

Read: Psalm 2

The Rev. Ron Purkey

“Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.” (Psalm 2:1-3)

First, let’s compare Psalm 1 with Psalm 2: There is an interesting contrast between the first two psalms. Psalm 1 is personal and focuses on the law, while Psalm 2 is national and focuses on prophecy.

In Psalm 1, we see Jesus Christ the perfect man; in Psalm 2, he is the king of kings. Psalm 1 deals with the blessing of the Jew (although it certainly applies to the Christian today), while Psalm 2 presents the judgment of the Gentile nations. Both Psalms use the word “perish” (Psalm 1:6 applies it to the individual sinner; Psalm 2:12 to the rebellious nations), and both psalms use the word meditate (translated “imagine” in Psalm 2:1).

We have the right kind of meditation in Psalm 1:2 and the wrong kind in Psalm 2:1. The 12 verses of Psalm 2 may be divided into four sections of three verses each, and in each section, we can hear a different voice.

Second, let’s notice the voice of rebellion in Psalm 2: The word “rage” means “to assemble tumultuously.” It is the Gentiles that are in view (“heathen” and “people” in verse 1), and they are rebelling against God and his rule. The nations are led in rebellion by their kings, and all are resisting God and Jesus Christ.

Of course, this voice has been heard down through the centuries, but it is being heard in a greater way in these last days. As never before, there is a united voice of rebellion against the rule of God and Christ. What do the nations want? Freedom from God’s rule! “Let us break their bands asunder!”

According to Genesis 10:5, God divided the Gentile peoples into their lands and nations; see also Acts 17:26 and Deuteronomy 32:8. History shows that the Gentile nations have rejected God’s people (Israel), God’s word, and God’s Christ. The nations do not want to submit to God’s rule.

Like proud Nebuchadnezzar, they want their own way, and they refuse to admit that God rules in the affairs of all people. See Daniel 4:28-37. This Gentile rebellion grew fiercer with the establishing of the church (Acts 4:23-30). But in the last days, it will have its complete fulfillment as the “kings of the earth” unite to fight against God (see Revelation 1:5; 6:15; 16:12-16; 17:2, 18; 19:11-21).

God hears the raging of the nations and the plots of the rulers. What do they want? They want freedom from God! But the way to real freedom is by submission and not by rebellion. To throw off God’s will is to invite destruction and bondage.

Read Ron Purkey’s Bible study outlines free at rcpbibleoutlines.com. Purkey has been an ordained Baptist minister for 50 years.