In the days of the French Revolution, a political revolutionary stormed the Bastille in Paris, seeking to remove every vestige of law and order from the eyes of his countrymen. He scaled the Cathedral of Notre Dame and tore down the cross from atop its spire. He dashed it to pieces on the ground below. The cross, representing the authority of God, lay demolished on the ground for everyone to see. Turning to a poor peasant, the revolutionary boasted, “We are going to pull down all that reminds you of God!” But from the crowd came the challenging reply, “Citizen, then you might as well pull down the stars themselves!”

Such is impossible and so are the arrogant attempts of sinful people to overthrow the sovereign rule of God. This cosmic revolt is as old as the Garden of Eden when the first man, Adam, rose up against the supreme authority of God. Today, the human race has gained momentum in its conspiracy to revolt against God. But no matter how determined and imaginative the apostasy of depraved humanity may be, it can never succeed in tearing down the authority of God. The puny efforts of man can never thwart the sovereign will of God.

Psalm 2 portrays this ongoing rebellion of a lost world against God and his son, Jesus. Although this second psalm has no title, Peter and John ascribed its authorship to David (Acts 4:25). According to the New Testament, it looks ahead to a future time in which the promised Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ, will appear on the stage of human history (Acts 4:25-26, 13:33, Hebrews 1:5, 5:5, Revelation 2:26-27, 12:5, 19:15). The world’s rebellion against God is, in reality, a revolt against the reign of God’s Son over all the earth. All such attempts will falter and fail. All unbelievers are called upon by the Lord to bow before Jesus before it is too late. Psalm 2:1-12 unfolds in four main movements. • The first main movement is the insurrection against God in verses 1-3. It all begins with lost humanity crying out in defiance against God. The psalmist expressed amazement that the nations are seeking to overthrow the Lord. The psalmist asked, “Why do the nations rage and the peoples imagine a vain thing?” (verse 1) The conspiracy was a global rebellion against God and his anointed one, Jesus (verse 3). Such a plan was “vain” meaning empty and destined to fail.

Leading this resistance against God were the political and national leaders of the world. “The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together” (verse 2). The annals of human history have proven this to be true. The mighty world rulers — Nimrod, Pharaoh, Nebuchadnezzar, Hitler, Stalin, Mao and countless others — have resisted God. This rebellion was demonstrated in Christ’s arrest, trials and condemnation at the hands Annas, Caiaphas, Pilate and Herod.

• The second main movement is the indignation of God in verses 4-6. In response to man’s arrogant boastings, God the father merely laughs. “He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; the Lord shall hold them in derision” (verse 4). This is not the laughter of hilarity but of divine derision, mockery and contempt. Men are boldly shaking their fists against the God of heaven, but such an attempted takeover is so bizarre, even insane, that the Lord scoffs at them, ridiculing and mocking their puny efforts.

But the divine laughter turns to fury. “Then he (God) shall speak to them in his wrath, and distress them in his deep displeasure” (verse 5). God’s absolute holiness moves him to judge sinners. In response to man’s insane attempts to overthrow God’s eternal plans, the Lord thundered from heaven, “Yet I have set my king on my holy hill of Zion” (verse 6). This is the voice of God the father. This statement speaks first to the present enthronement of Jesus at the right hand of God, following his ascension, giving him the place of highest honor and authority (Psalm 110:1-2, Acts 2:34-35). Ultimately, these words anticipate the return of Christ to earth and his 1,000-year reign from Jerusalem (Revelation 20:1-10).

• The third main movement is the intention of God in verses 7-9. This time, the voice of God’s Son, Jesus Christ, is heard uttering, “I will declare the decree: the Lord (God the Father) has said to me (God the Son), ‘You are my Son, today I have begotten you. Ask of Me, and I will give you the nations for your inheritance’” (verses 7-8). The word “begotten” refers to the incarnation of Jesus. Jesus came to this earth. He lived a perfect life. He died for our sins. He bore the wrath of God upon himself at the cross. He died a substitutionary death. Because of Christ’s submission to the father’s will, God will bestow a rich legacy upon him. This rich legacy is a vast inheritance that will be fully transferred to Jesus in the millennial kingdom.

• The final movement is the invitation of God in verses 10-12. The identity of the speaker is not revealed. It is probably the voice of the Holy Spirit. The invitation goes out, “Now therefore, be wise, O kings; be instructed, you judges of the earth” (verse 10). Those involved in this revolt against God must think carefully and cease from their long war with heaven.

Instead of resisting God, sinners must turn around (repent). “Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling” (verse 11). They must realign themselves with God. This involves a changed heart that is filled with fear and awe and reverence for God.

“Kiss the son (Jesus), lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little” (verse 12). Kissing the son is a sign of humble submission as a subject lowers himself before his king. The choice is clear. It is better to bend than be broken. While there is opportunity to do so, sinners must turn from their wicked ways and embrace the Lord Jesus by faith. What will happen if they do? Of all who submit to Jesus, it is said, “Blessed are all those who put their trust in him” (verse 12). Sinners must kiss the son today while God is speaking in grace. One day, he will speak in his wrath.

Ethan Hansen is pastor of Faith Bible Fellowship in Big Lake. He can be reached at ehansen@biglakefaithbible.net