I WILL MAKE THE NATIONS YOUR INHERITANCE

Passage: Psalms 2:1-12

Key verse: 8

NIV

Psalm 2

1 Why do the nations conspire[a]
    and the peoples plot(A) in vain?
2 The kings(B) of the earth rise up
    and the rulers band together
    against the Lord and against his anointed,(C) saying,
3 “Let us break their chains(D)
    and throw off their shackles.”(E)

4 The One enthroned(F) in heaven laughs;(G)
    the Lord scoffs at them.
5 He rebukes them in his anger(H)
    and terrifies them in his wrath,(I) saying,
6 “I have installed my king(J)
    on Zion,(K) my holy mountain.(L)”

7 I will proclaim the Lord’s decree:

He said to me, “You are my son;(M)
    today I have become your father.(N)
8 Ask me,
    and I will make the nations(O) your inheritance,(P)
    the ends of the earth(Q) your possession.
9 You will break them with a rod of iron[b];(R)
    you will dash them to pieces(S) like pottery.(T)”

10 Therefore, you kings, be wise;(U)
    be warned, you rulers(V) of the earth.
11 Serve the Lord with fear(W)
    and celebrate his rule(X) with trembling.(Y)
12 Kiss his son,(Z) or he will be angry
    and your way will lead to your destruction,
for his wrath(AA) can flare up in a moment.
    Blessed(AB) are all who take refuge(AC) in him.

Read full chapter
Footnotes
  1. Psalm 2:1 Hebrew; Septuagint rage
  2. Psalm 2:9 Or will rule them with an iron scepter (see Septuagint and Syriac)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

The Reign of the Lord's Anointed

2 (A)Why do (B)the nations rage[a]
    and the peoples plot in vain?
2 The kings of the earth set themselves,
    and the rulers take counsel together,
    against the Lord and against his (C)Anointed, saying,
3 “Let us (D)burst their bonds apart
    and cast away their cords from us.”

4 He who (E)sits in the heavens (F)laughs;
    the Lord holds them in derision.
5 Then he will speak to them in his (G)wrath,
    and terrify them in his fury, saying,
6 “As for me, I have (H)set my King
    on (I)Zion, my (J)holy hill.”

7 I will tell of the decree:
The Lord said to me, (K)“You are my Son;
    today I have begotten you.
8 Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage,
    and (L)the ends of the earth your possession.
9 You shall (M)break[b] them with (N)a rod of iron
    and dash them in pieces like (O)a potter's vessel.”

10 Now therefore, O kings, be wise;
    be warned, O rulers of the earth.
11 (P)Serve the Lord with (Q)fear,
    and (R)rejoice with (S)trembling.
12 (T)Kiss (U)the Son,
    lest he be angry, and you perish in the way,
    for his (V)wrath is quickly kindled.
(W)Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

Read full chapter
Footnotes
  1. Psalm 2:1 Or nations noisily assemble
  2. Psalm 2:9 Revocalization yields (compare Septuagint) You shall rule
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Why do the nations conspire? (1-3)

We are living in a world in rebellion against God. People who rebel against God mistakenly see his sovereign rule as chains and fetters. But rebellion against God's sovereignty is fruitless and finally leads to destruction. (5,9,12)

2. The Anointed One (4-12)

God's Anointed One is the Messiah, the Son of God. In Acts 4:23-28, Peter and John found strength and courage in the prophecy of Christ in this psalm, for they realized that God is sovereign, and the crucifixion of Christ and the persecution of his servants fulfilled the prophecy of God. This psalm does not stop with suffering; it looks forward to victory, and proclaims God's sovereignty. When the Christ sent his disciples into all the world to proclaim the gospel, he was claiming his inheritance.

Prayer: Lord, give us the nations as our inheritance and the ends of the earth as our possession, for the sake of your name.

One Word: Why do men rebel against God?