1 Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain?

2 The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the LORD and against his Anointed One.

3 "Let us break their chains,"they say, "and throw off their fetters."

4 The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them.

5 Then he rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying,

6 "I have installed my King on Zion, my holy hill."

7 I will proclaim the decree of the LORD: He said to me, "You are my Son; today I have become your Father.

8 Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession.

9 You will rule them with an iron scepter; you will dash them to pieces like pottery."

10 Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth.

11 Serve the LORD with fear and rejoice with trembling.

In the ancient world, kings and queens and persons of public office were frequently associated with the Divine. We are told in Genesis 14 that Abraham was met by the king of Salem, a priest of God Most High. (And Hebrews tells us that Jesus was a high priest in the order of Melchizedek!) The rulers of Babylonians were considered sons and daughters of the gods. In New Testament times, the Emporer was considered divine, and similarly most high officials were referred to as Lord, or by the title of some lesser deity in the patheon of the gods of the day.

Today, we have moved a long way away from such thinking. For while our politicians may bend over backward to "gain the religious vote,"none of them would seriously consider claiming that they rule "by divine right," or claim to be a deity. Religion and politics are not supposed to mix-at least not in North America.

It is therefore a bit hard for us to imagine a poem like Psalm 2 being read aloud in the public square. When we try to imagine a political setting, or just any civic event for that matter, in which the reading of this Psalm might occur, we quickly run stuck. It seems so brash. So impertinent. It feels rude. After all, who today would presume to claim that the kings of earth, the rulers of their nation, actively plot against the Lord or God's anointed? We might privately think politicians and authorities are stacked against us, but rarely, if ever, would we make a public ceremony of it. Yet that is precisely what this Psalm does.

Even more jarring in our contemporary ears is the turn in the middle of the poem in which the speaker assumes to himself the divine voice. "The Lord said to me, 'You are my son!'" Who today, which ruler or authority today, would dare to say such a thing? Who today would dare to say, "I am God's appointed heir. God has chosen me to rule the whole earth. All other rulers and authorities must be subservient to me."In our day, it's scary to hear people say this kind of thing. Usually, if someone makes these kinds of claims they are some kind of religious fanatic, a cult leader of some kind whose followers mostly end up dead.

But no matter how jarring it may sound in our contemporary ears, Psalm 2 is God's word. And it is God's word for us today, too.

The issue that Psalm 2 confronts us with is this: To whom does our world belong? And the Psalmist is quick to answer that our world belongs to God! Indeed, the Psalmist finds it preposterous to think any other response to the question is really even an answer. It's simply preposterous to think that anyone other than the creator of the heavens and the earth is the ruler of all the world. It's simply silly to think that anyone other than God is sovereign over all the nations.

But isn't that just what we tend to do? Isn't it the case that we all too often sit around, plotting and scheming about how this or that should turn out? Isn't it the case that we all too often think we can control our destiny? Are we not all too disposed to think that our world is ruled by Presidents and Prime Ministers?

Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? It's a good question, isn't it! And yet we all do it. As nations and as individuals, we conspire and plot, seeking to control our destiny. We do this in large ways and small. We make big plans, pursue great rewards, diligently climb the ladder of "success."

He who sits in the heavens laughs.

Now therefore, be wise. Serve the Lord with fear.

The apostle Paul may have been thinking of this verse when he penned his letter to the Philipians. He writes: "Work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose."

What is the good purpose God has called you to? How does God want you to be active in his world?