Psalm 2 goes to the MUNY

Thank you, Chris and Steve and members of Trinity Church.

It's a delight to be with you. It's a joy year after year we

have this wonderful delight of having a a conference and then

capping that conference with this opportunity to join you in

worship around God's Word. We, those of us who travel in

and visit, don't take that for granted.

It's just a delight to be hosted by you and helped to cap our

thoughts in this way this morning.

A couple of things maybe before I begin.

Some of you have asked already. Is that a typo in the bulletin?

Psalm 2 goes to the Muni. What's a muni?

Some of you will know there's a good traffic between Rochester

and Saint Louis. You'll know that this is a a

well known outdoor theatre venue, but if that's causing you

to stumble, feel free to substitute.

Psalm 2 goes to the Muni for Psalm 2 goes to the Rochester

Civic Centre. That's OK, we can do that

together. Another just a couple of brief

remarks as we head into Psalm 2 as we think about a more

familiar portion of Scripture. It it can be helpful, I think if

I just give you 2 tidbits of background, 2 features that

might help us read and hear this Psalm a little a little better.

I want to make a brief note about the placement of Psalm 2

and a brief note about Psalm 2's function regarding placement.

Psalm 2 is actually a complement to Psalm 1.

Both Psalm 1 and Psalm 2 seek to cultivate a disposition of

wisdom. They're calling us to reflect.

They're going to call us to make a choice as to which path we

might walk in. Both Psalms will call us to walk

in the way of righteousness, to obey God's appointed king rather

than to follow the wicked into folly.

Both Psalms, by the way, are linked by the word blessed.

Psalm one begins with that language.

Psalm 2 concludes with the language of blessed.

Together, these two psalms are a doorway into the whole Psalter.

This is a very deliberate placement as to function.

It seems most likely that Psalm 2 functioned as part of Israel's

liturgy as a way of enabling the Old Covenant people of God to

celebrate the coronation of a new king, or to celebrate

annually the confirmation of the king that God had raised up in

Israel's midst. But I think this is important.

Psalm 2 functions idealistically rather than strictly

historically. That is, Psalm 2 is not

referring to a particular historical occasion, to a

particular coronation event. Rather, it reflects upon the

opposite of what is ideal. Whereas the Gentile world stands

to benefit from Israel's presence in their midst as the

chosen people of God through whom blessing might come.

What we read about, what we recognize is that rather than

bowing before Israel's king, rather than enjoying and

participating in a stable rule, divine favour, there are many

who remain rebellious, rejecting God's good provision, rejecting

God's guidance, setting themselves up in opposition.

I don't think that's an altogether unfamiliar sentiment

even for us. But that's enough background.

Let's read. Let's hear Psalm 2 together.

Psalm 2. Why do the nation's rage and the

people's plot in vain? The kings of the earth set

themselves, and the rulers take counsel together against the

Lord and against His anointed, saying, Let us burst their bonds

apart, castaway their cords from us.

He who sits in the heavens laughs.

The Lord holds them in derision, Then he will speak to them in

his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying, As for me, I

have set my king on Zion, my holy hill.

I will tell of the decree. The Lord said to me, You are my

son today I have forgotten you ask of me, and I will make the

nations your heritage, the ends of the earth your possession.

He shall break them with a rod of iron, dash them in pieces

like a Potter's vessel. Now therefore, O kings, be wise,

be warned. O rulers of the earth, Serve the

Lord with fear, rejoice with trembling kiss the sun blessed

to be angry with you, and you perish in the way, for His wrath

is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge

in Him. Let's pray and ask God's help as

we come to this portion of His word.

Oh God our Father, we thank you for this opportunity to gather

as we continue to worship you. We pray that you would be in our

midst and that you, through your Spirit, would help us to grasp

this meaning of your word. Help us to hear it in a fresh

way. Help us to draw comfort from it.

Continue with us as we worship you.

This morning we ask it in Jesus name, Amen.

Interesting. I find it's a common feature of

of Christian expression across time and place that we sing.

Singing is synonymous with Christian faith, it seems.

Even yesterday, as we wrapped up our conference, we did so in

song. Already.

This morning, as we've gathered for services of worship, we sing

again. As we turn to Psalm 2, One of

the reasons why we can continue to sing is because God is

leading us towards a world united under his compassionate

control. There's something to sing about.

Contrary to the news headlines, the multiple talking points of

our political parties, even our own internal fears, we can sing

Psalm 2, remembering the true story of which we are a part,

resting in the future that God will bring and into which we

will be welcomed. As we will see, even amid the

tumult of worldly rebellion, God never loses control.

God, as he cease to call us to Himself through His Son, our

Divine King, the one greater than David, our Saviour, God's

good purposes remain sure and steadfast.

As a way of hearing these familiar themes, as a way of

coming to this passage, I want to invite you to visit the Muni

with me. I want to welcome you down to

Saint Louis, just a little bit down the track here.

For those who don't know quite what I'm inviting you to.

The Muni is a beloved St. Louis attraction, a wonderful

outdoor Amphitheatre in Forest Park that seats about 11,000

people and every summer brings to its stage wonderful theatre,

wonderful recitals, wonderful concert performances all summer

long. Going to the Muni is a staple of

life in Saint Louis. In fact, this summer the Muni

will celebrate it's 100th and 7th continuous season.

So I'm going to invite you now. I want you to imagine that this

Muni that I've invited you to is going to perform for us.

Psalm 2, in keeping with my adopted imagery, I want you to

welcome, I want you to imagine that you're coming with me, and

afterwards that we're going to reserve a few moments to reflect

together on what we've seen and heard performed.

I want to work your imagination a little bit this morning.

So come with me to the Muni. Let's see and hear Psalm 2.

It's a fine summer's evening. We've got good seats, nice and

close to the front. The stage looks outstanding.

As the curtains raise, we are plunged immediately into a

chaotic and tumultuous scene. Scene 1.

The Gentile kings are in revolt. Considering these opening

verses, we see on stage flashes of light, smoke filled air and

we hear angry mobs, brash outbursts.

What is it that's going on? As our senses adjust, we start

to make sense of the scene unfolding before us.

It's a revolt. The raucous crowd assembling on

stage are leaders, important figures, various people who are

scheming and plotting against the Lord, against the Lord's

anointed one. They demand their freedom.

They resist being asked to submit to God and to the King

that he's appointed. As we take in this scene, two

things deserve comment. 1st, we note the psalmist sense of

astonishment. When the psalmist asks the

questions Why do the Nation's rage and the people's plot, he's

not really seeking more information.

He's actually not signalling surprise.

He's certainly not worried. Rather, he's expressing

astonishment at the folly that's unfolding.

What is driving this senseless rejection of divine rule?

Why are the nations so discontent?

They want to take down Yahweh? Why bother with such a futile

act? The psalmist is astonished by

what he recounts. 2nd We might note the nation's sense of

againstness. As verse 3 makes plain, this

noisy display of faux unity is an attempt at rebellion, the

nation's wish to be read not simply of Israel's king, but of

the king of kings that stands behind They want to be free.

They want to live autonomously. They want to function without

constraint. Interestingly, we told that they

plot. We find the very same word in

Psalm 1, where it's translated meditate in Psalm 1.

The godly meditate on God's word.

In Psalm 2. The ungodly rulers of the nation

meditate in the sense of devising schemes, of pondering

over plots that will achieve their desired autonomy.

And yet such plans have no real substance to them.

We're told that these plans are in vain.

We catch another glimpse of this later in biblical history, don't

we? Well, we see the Israel

Israelites and the Greeks, where we see the state and the church

overcome their obstacles, their differences, to conspire

together to thwart the Messiah, to kill Jesus.

The nation's Rage Against the Anointed One.

But God's plan stand firm. There is no breaking free of

God's rule. And Jesus, who is killed by the

hands of wicked men, is raised up by the Father and inaugurates

the Kingdom that he continues to reign over.

There is no casting God aside. And yet, I think, if we're

honest, it's not just the nations in the ancient world.

It's not just the powers of the 1st century.

But is there not something of this in our own hearts?

Are we not tempted to live free, to go, to learn, to just try

life on our own turns? Do we not sometimes chafe at the

call to submit, even although we're taught again and again

that this rule is good and gentle and beneficial?

The Gentiles rage scene 2 The response of the divine King.

Thinking here of verses 4 to 6. As we perhaps shift in our

seats, as we continue to take stock of what we see, we notice

the noise has stopped. More than that, the whole scene

has changed. The setting is no longer 1 of

earthly revolt, but of a heavenly throne room.

There's no more yelling. There's no more tumult.

Just an awe inspiring silence. A silence suddenly punctured by

what? By laughter, and then by a

voice, A resolute voice declaring support for Israel's

king. The Lord is unperturbed, his

choice unassailable. God has made-up his mind in

which direction the course of human history will unfold.

He's already set in place the Davidic household, and

eventually he will elevate David's greatest son above all

Thrones and principalities and dominion.

The course of history is set. Two contrasts are worth our

consideration. We notice first, while the kings

of the earth set themselves against the Lord, against his

anointed in verse 2, the Lord sets his king in Zion in verse

6. As the nations dig in, so does

the sovereign. Lord Zion represents the city of

Jerusalem. It's the place in which God

dwells. His anointed 1 is His servant,

the Davidic King, whose task it is to witness to and to enact

God's rule on earth. God confounds the wicked and

continues as His wisdom dictates.

He's unmoved. 2nd, we notice another contrast.

While the nation's rage in verse one, the Lord laughs in verse 4.

Quite frankly, the rebellion playing out is laughable from

the point of view of God's throne room.

But the Lord here is not laughing just to ridicule them.

He's laughing because he knows his day is coming.

From the vantage point of his sovereign plan, he's neither

challenged nor dismayed by the protests of the ungodly.

He's completely secure. His laugh is 1 of settled

confidence with the raging and the plotting and the threatening

simply noise that he rather mercifully tolerates for a time.

For a time there is a point of no return.

There is a point in time in which God will not laugh any

further, but will respond definitively.

Verse 5. Then, then he will speak to them

in his wrath and terrify them in his fury.

Perhaps we can capture the character of God's response this

way from time to time. At home in Saint Louis, we we

have ants on the kitchen counter.

I don't know if that's a Saint Louis thing, or maybe you have

that here in Rochester, but seasonally, the ants

inexplicably appear and they find their way to the kitchen

counter. It's never really represented a

threat. We continue on business as

usual. But the other day I I did take

notice. I saw the that the ants on my

counter seemed to follow me across the kitchen.

As I moved left. I, I watched this little trail

of ants come after me. As I went back the other way to

the right, those ants turned and began to follow me.

How odd. I I went and found a magnifying

glass and I, I stooped down from where I was to look more closely

at what I was seeing. And it dawned on me.

Those ants were protesting me. I saw through my magnifying

glass, little Ant fists Down with the Ryan family.

This kitchen's owls. We're taking over.

Up with the ants and power. These ants were mad.

They were organized. They did not like living under

the rule of our kitchen. And as the situation sank in, I

couldn't help but chuckle and laugh.

And then I took my morning newspaper, and the rebellion was

over. That's the Lord's response here.

The rebellion's real. It's noisy, It's organized, it's

agitated. The Lord laughs at such a

rebellion. He dismisses those who lead it.

He moves forward with his plans, undaunted, unimpeded.

Beloved, our Lord God is steadfast sovereign, not swayed

or impeded or held back by the consternation of men and women

and nations and leaders. This is a good word for our

time. I hope we're reading the Word of

God more than we are than our newspaper headlines.

I hope we're giving stock to Psalm 2 more frequently than our

favorite worried podcaster. Again and again the Lord speaks

into our situation and through Psalm 2 and many other passages,

says to us people of God, fear not.

The world has not gone to seed. The chaos is in hand.

My purposes are steadfast and sure.

Fear not, Scene 3. The Davidic king speaks.

We learn about God's declaration to Israel's king.

Verses 7 to 9 Leaving our Saint Louis kitchen, returning our

attention to the stage before us, we find that a new voice has

begun to speak. It's the voice of the Davidic

King with a steady tone, with the same resolve as the Divine

King who stands back of him. He speaks to us of his own

appointment. I will tell of the decree.

The Lord said to me. You are my son today.

I've forgotten you ask of me. I will make the nation's your

heritage, the ends of the earth, your possession.

He shall break them with a rod of iron, dash them in pieces

like a Potter's vessel. Several things, I think, call

our attention. First, we might note the

progression of titles. We have a reference to the

Lord's anointed in verse 2, then to my king in verse 6, and then

taken further. This Davidic king is referred to

twice, verse 7, verse 12, as my son.

This human partner is adopted by the Holy One.

This human partner is counted as a son, as an agent in God's

purposes in the world. Second, we might notice the

content of this decree having been adopted.

This king and son is expected to rule in the place of God.

He's called to represent the Father Almighty, but this decree

impacts not just the installed King, but it involves the

nations who are gifted to Him who ought to benefit from His

rule. For the rule of the Lord's

anointed is intended to bring stability and to result in

blessing the King, as is true of the whole nation.

He's called to be a light to the nations.

This rule, friends, is not despotic.

It's not selfish or self oriented.

It's not narcissistic. It's not a raw power grab.

This is the rule of stewardship, of representation, of securing a

greater good in the name of one who is entirely good.

Third, we might recognise also that these words are echoed

later in the biblical story. Psalm 2 appears at Jesus baptism

and at Jesus transfiguration. Further, Paul uses these words

in reference to Jesus resurrection.

You see, ultimately we're to understand the emergence of the

Davidic King and the Davidic line, the establishing of a

rulership within the life of Israel, something that was a

confirmation to Abraham, but to us is a reminder of a true and

greater David who is to come, one whose reign would be truly

worldwide, whose power would be absolute.

David's greatest son is Jesus Christ, our Lord, our Saviour.

Again and again the New Testament directs us back to

Psalm 2 and to Jesus as the divine Son and King with whom we

all have to do. In multiple sections of the New

Testament the language of Psalm 2 is echoed, drawn from.

In Acts chapter 4 we hear an echo.

Acts 4 · chapter mention

Peter teaches us that the Christ cross was the epitome of what

the nations raged against. In John chapter 3, John reveals

John 3 · chapter mention

that salvation or destruction depends upon our relationship

with Jesus. In Hebrews one we read that

Christ is the Son of God that was sent into the world who

fulfills all the promises made to David.

Ephesians one calls all believers to live with courage

in the world because even now Christ is actively ruling.

This decree that Psalm 2 publishes proclaims is

essentially that our well-being is found in submission to the

Son, not in the pursuit of autonomy, self rule, private

governance. Scene 4, advice to the Gentile

kings. We're circling back in verses 10

and 12 in a way that's subtle but also snaps us back to

attention. We notice a final set change.

We're no longer in the heavenly throne room.

We no longer hear the laughter of God or the voice of the king

that God has installed. More than that, we notice that

all of the lights have been dulled.

All of the sound and special effects have fallen away.

We're once again on earth. We know that the rebellious

nations are being addressed, but something's different.

In this final scene, a simple spotlight appears and follows A

solitary figure to center stage, who calmly, with earnestness,

offers this advice. Now, therefore, O kings, be

wise, be warned. O rulers of the earth, serve the

Lord with fear, rejoice with trembling, kiss the sun, lest

you be angry, and you perish in the way.

Blessed are all those who take refuge in him.

That solitary figure is the psalmist.

He's calling us to allegiance, and that call seems to hang

suspended in the air. Yes, it's aimed at rebellious

kings and rulers and people who think they're important and

above and beyond God's reach. And yet his voice, his closing

words in this final act seem powerfully pertinent to each of

us in the audience as well. Each of us are being called to

lay down our misguided quest to be free from all constraints.

All of us are being summoned to put our faith and our trust to

find our rest under God's appointed King.

The psalmist is addressing you and me down through the ages.

He knows the battle that rages in our own hearts.

Will we submit? Can I be free?

Can I be free in my own terms? This word of warning, this word

of beckoning is an odd but understandable mix of emotions.

It does something within us. We're called to rejoice and

tremble. What an unusual couplet.

Rejoice with trembling. We can rejoice because we're

promised a favourable outcome. We tremble because, if we're

honest, it was just a moment ago that we were tempted to re

enlist in the rebellion. We can rejoice because of the

words of benediction that closed out this staged scene.

We tremble because of the powerful yet effortless ways in

which the king will deal with those who maintain their

rebellion and who would refuse his peace.

Kiss the sun, lest to be angry, and you perish in the way.

His wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all those who take

refuge in him. Wow.

Curtains fall, lights are cut. That's it.

The psalmist has turned. He's walked off stage.

We're left in darkness and in quietness for a moment.

We're left in our seats with our own thoughts.

What are you left with? Which side will you take?

How are you sitting with this performance?

Slowly, somewhat obtrusively, the theatre lights are raised,

the whole venue is illuminated, we're all being asked to vacate

the Amphitheatre and we're going to make our way home.

Some of us have just a few more minutes willing to come back for

a cup of tea or coffee, so we might process some too.

What is it we're hearing as we drive back from the Muni?

It's unlikely, I think, that we're going to crown or

celebrate a Davidic king. I recognize that many of us in

this room this morning have already made a decision.

We profess faith in Jesus Christ.

We're Allegiant to him. So what are we to take away from

this performance of Psalm 2? What might we take to heart and

meditate upon as we go our separate ways at the end of our

afternoon or our evening? Let me suggest a few things,

although it could be many. One, if I may, let me suggest

that even in tumultuous times, God has not lost control.

I think you'll agree we live in tumultuous times.

There's a lot going on that makes us scratch our heads.

There's a lot going on that makes us fear for our

well-being. Some of us are concerned about

the unraveling of our government or our society.

Some of us are fearful to leave our homes in case we don't have

the right document. Until we get scooped up to some

foreign place. It's a tumultuous time.

What's going on? What do we do?

What will happen? Brothers and sisters, God is

still in control. Despite the tumultuous nations,

the rise and fall of kings and leaders, or even simply the

recurrent nastiness of humanity as we each clamour for self

rule. God has not abandoned us.

God is not powerless. On the contrary, he's able to

intervene. God is always working out his

plan and purpose. He has not lost control.

Can I invite you without being trivial or shallow?

But can I invite you when you take a peek at the news

headlines? When you hear the worrisome

broadcast, come back to Psalm 2. Find your rest in God who does

not lose or surrender control. Here's another thought.

This comforts me as I think about such things.

I hope for you too. Despite all appearances to the

contrary, it's not simply that God retains control, but

actually God is continuing His purposes and leading us all

towards a world under His compassionate control.

Revelation 2 and 12 and 19 all reference Psalm 2 and envision

an eternal and global Kingdom ruled by a descendant of David,

a divine son. This Kingdom is not heavily

managed. This Kingdom is no longer at

war, pushing back against foreign forces and strange

ideas. Rather, this is a Kingdom of

peace, A Kingdom marked by an absence of hostility, division,

unrest. This Kingdom previewed by the

Church, albeit very imperfectly, will be a Kingdom drawn from

every tribe and tongue and nation, and we will share

together in a common, joyful submission to Jesus Christ.

Our common tongue will be Hallelujah for the Lord.

Our God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exalt and

give him glory. This is where we're headed.

Not some sovereign who exercises bare power, but a sovereign who

is good and compassionate and will bring a settled peace that

will enable us again to flourish, to enjoy life that he

intends. And if I may, one more thing.

May I suggest, given the language at the tail end of the

Psalm, given the imagery of kind of wrath and of pottery being

shattered, can I just remind us that this compassionate control

of God is seen in two ways? 1st, I hope you notice we're

given a choice, human agencies real.

We receive an invitation, not just an ultimatum, even as the

psalmist addresses those who are rebellious and who are raging

against God. Nonetheless, grace breaks in

rage can be replaced with refuge.

A favourable response is held out to all who will make peace

with the sun. It's not too late to change

sides. It's not too late to lay down

arms and independence. While we were yet sinners,

Christ died for us. Come across, He'll receive you,

He'll welcome you. You don't have to faith.

Continue in rage and face the iron rod.

There is a refuge, a welcome and acceptance.

How is that possible? Second, this king, this one who

wields the iron rod, this one who whom is invested all power

and authority. This king and son is also a

saviour. The son who seeks our service

and submission is one who served us.

He became one of us. He submitted himself to the

death that we really should undergo.

He bore the penalty of our rebellion on the cross.

He died for our rebellious nature.

It's this son that we're invited to kiss.

It's this son who promises acceptance, forgiveness,

blessing for all who take refuge in him.

Oh, why would we not? Why would we not?

This king laid aside his crown, took on human flesh, entered

into the tumult, the warfare, the rage, and the rebellion, and

lived a perfect life that he now offers to trade with us so that

we too might be the sons and daughters of God forever.

Beloved, we serve a Lord who delights to be found, who is

eager to be called upon, who welcomes our return to Him, and

who promises compassion and abundant pardon.

No wonder, throughout every age the people of God have sung

Psalm 2. Psalm 2 helps us to remember the

true story of the world of which we are a part.

Psalm 2 helps us to remember to rest.

In God's good purpose that stands firm.

Let's pray and give thanks for this message and for this

godfather in heaven. We come again as your people,

confessing, acknowledging our own temptations to rage and

rebel, but Lord, confessing and giving thanks that you've

subdued our hearts and you have brought us near and You have

made our sons and daughters in and through the finished work of

Jesus Christ. Oh Lord, we live in a strange

time. There's so much to occupy our

thought, to cause our hearts to worry.

We pray, O God, that You by your Spirit would take this word and

help us to rest and help us to remember who you are and all

that you've done. We give you thanks in Jesus

name, Amen.