Psalm 2 | The Good King We Want

Preacher: Joel Fair
Scripture: Psalm 2

1. The Good King We Want - Psalm 2 - 2023-06-11
2. The Rebellion - VS 1-3
3. The Response - VS 4-9
4. Repent! - VS 10-12

J. V. Fesko, Songs of a Suffering King
As we begin our study of Psalm 2, it is helpful to think of Jesus’ words to His brothers when they mockingly encouraged Him to go to the Feast of Tabernacles and reveal His identity to the world: “My time has not yet come, but your time is always ready. The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it that its works are evil” (John 7:6–7). If we put Jesus’ statement to His brothers together with Psalm 1, we see the natural reaction that develops in Psalm 2. In other words, Jesus, the righteous man, contrasts with the world, which is filled with those who hate the instruction of the Lord—the people who walk, stand, and sit in the counsel of the wicked. Jesus’ righteousness reveals the wickedness of those in the world, and when He does so, they naturally respond with hatred. In this sense, the contrast between the righteous man and the wicked, the two ways, becomes the messianic conflict in Psalm 2.

Psalm 46:6–7 (ESV)
The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts.
The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

Psalm 14:1 (ESV)
1 The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is none who does good.

Psalm 29:10b (ESV)
the LORD sits enthroned as king forever.

Psalm 89:14 (ESV)
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you.

Revelation 19:15–16 (ESV)
From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.

Hebrews 12:28–29 (ESV)
Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.

Acts 10:42–43 (ESV)
And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

Isaiah 30:18 (ESV)
Therefore the LORD waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the LORD is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.

1 Corinthians 6:9–11 (ESV)
Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

Isaiah 9:6–7 (ESV)
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.

Micah 5:2 (ESV)
But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.

Psalm 34:8 (ESV)
Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!