Sung at coronation ceremonies for Israel’s king, Psalm 2 would remind the people of the LORD’s everlasting covenant with King David (see 2 Samuel 7:12-16). Through this unconditional promise, the monarch of God’s people would ever be considered a special son of God. Each king would be anointed with oil at his enthronement, marking him as set apart to reign as the LORD’s representative. The king, then, was both a son of God and a messiah (which means “anointed one”). So Israel’s monarchy always rested on God’s ancient promise to David and always pointed forward to the time when the eternal Son of God would come himself as king and messiah. Arriving one day in flesh and blood, the true and everlasting king would redeem his people from sin and enemies and re-order the whole world in justice and righteousness. 

 

This inauguration psalm opens with the new king having to deal with threats from the rebellious rulers surrounding the LORD’s people. In many ways, these rival kings represent all of humanity. For from the beginning we have, each and all, wanted to burst free from God’s revealed will, throwing off any restrictions on our desires. We do not want the LORD to reign over us. 

 

In reply to these threats, the LORD himself issues a decree concerning this new ruler. He speaks directly to his anointed king, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you.” Normally we think of the word “begotten” in regard to conceiving children. But here it relates to installing this man in a new position of life. He is no longer a private individual but a king, charged with representing God in his rule and responsible for shepherding the LORD’s people. So God declares him on this inauguration day to be Son and anointed King. He is given authority to rule in the LORD’s name, and God promises that ultimately all nations will recognize his reign because Israel’s purpose was from the beginning to be a light to the world, the first of God’s redeeming works for people of all nations. The psalm closes with a warning to the rulers of the world to “kiss the Son,” that is, to pay homage to the designated lord of God’s people on earth.

 

Ross writes that Psalm 2 “applies first to any Davidic king who came to the throne, but ultimately to the King of kings” (1: 213). So the deepest meaning of Psalm 2 comes into focus with the arrival of the eternal Son in our midst, the only man who can truly and forever be called the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. 

 

The New Testament applies Psalm 2 several times to Jesus. Paul quotes it as he tells the story of Jesus in Antioch. By the resurrection, the Father declared of Jesus, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you” (Acts 13:33). Paul writes to the Romans that Jesus was “declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead” (Romans 1:4). It’s one thing to make a bold statement. It’s quite another to back up the words by bringing a dead man back to life! This is a new phase of existence. 

 

Paul understands that in his rising Jesus was exalted above every name that is named (Philippians 2:9). Jesus himself declared before his ascension, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matthew 28:18). He who had been made low was raised above ever other name. Revelation describes the ascended Jesus as “the ruler of the kings of earth” (Revelation 1:5). Indeed he holds the keys, the authority, of death and Hades in his hands (Revelation 1:18). He is the one by whom all will be judged.

 

As Jesus prays Psalm 2, I imagine he gains a deeper sense of his place in the Father’s eternal plans. He could draw authority from the royal decree to be able to tell parables such as the sheep and the goats (Matthew 25:31-46) in which he anticipates being the Son before whom all must appear. His stern warnings to the Pharisees and his fearlessness before the Roman governor Pilate would flow from the LORD’s promise that all nations will be his 

Son’s heritage. 

 

We declare in the Apostles’ Creed that Jesus even now sits at the Father’s right hand and will come to judge the living and the dead. This is fair warning to us and to the rebellious world to be wise. There is no future apart from this King.