Adult Bible Study on Psalm 2

Psalm 2

(New International Version)

 

Why do the nations conspire
    and the peoples plot in vain?
² The kings of the earth rise up
    and the rulers band together
    against the Lord and against his anointed, saying,
³ “Let us break their chains
    and throw off their shackles.”

 

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

 

⁷ I will proclaim the Lord’s decree:

 

He said to me, “You are my son;
    today I have become your father.
⁸ Ask me,
    and I will make the nations your inheritance,
    the ends of the earth your possession.
⁹ You will break them with a rod of iron;
    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 celebrate his rule with trembling.
¹² Kiss his son, or he will be angry
    and your way will lead to your destruction,
for his wrath can flare up in a moment.
    Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

 

 

1. What chains are the people wanting to break, and what shackles do they want to throw off?

 

During this period, Israel is ruling over the nations of Canaan as a punishment to them and in fulfillment of the promises God made to Abraham.

 

Genesis 15:16-21 – “In the fourth generation your descendants will come back here, for the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure.” When the sun had set and darkness had fallen, a smoking firepot with a blazing torch appeared and passed between the pieces. On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram and said, “To your descendants I give this land, from the Wadi of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates— the land of the Kenites, Kenizzites, Kadmonites, Hittites, Perizzites, Rephaites, Amorites, Canaanites, Girgashites and Jebusites.”

 

 

2. Why does God laugh when the peoples rebel against Him and the king He has chosen?

 

God knows that nothing people do can change His plans. He is stronger and wiser than any human power. His will shall be accomplished. It’s funny to think that people can gain any victory against God.

 

 

3. In what way is the king of Israel like a son to God?

 

Like a son imitating his father, the king is supposed to follow God’s ways of ruling the nation. He is the prince ruling over the King’s land.

 

 

4. God promises to bring more nations under the king’s rule if the king asks Him to do so. Like the king, God also adopts each of us as His children the moment we believe in Him. So in what way does the promise to the king apply to us today?

 

Matthew 5:5 – “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.”

 

 

5. Besides the king and believers being God’s children, God also has a literal Son. We see that this psalm speaks prophetically about Jesus being the king. What does it mean to celebrate Jesus’ rule with trembling?

 

We do need to tremble in fear at the power and holiness of God. If we do not serve Him correctly, He will punish us. But we can also celebrate Jesus’ rule because we know He is a good and gracious king. He cares for His people and rules wisely.

 

 

6. We are commanded to kiss the Son. Imagine kissing Jesus. Where do you picture yourself kissing Him, and what does your kiss symbolize?

 

• Kissing Jesus on the hand – you respect the power that is in His hand as the ruler but are also thankful for the provision He gives you; both punishment and blessing come from the same hand of the Lord
• Kissing Jesus’ feet – you show your humility as you worship Him
• Kissing Jesus on the top of His head – you adore and even seek to console Him in His suffering
• Kissing Jesus on His cheek – you greet Him as a close friend or family member

 

7. What blessing do we receive when we take refuge in Jesus?

 

When we take refuge in Jesus, we know that our eternal fate is secure. We will not be like the nations whom God will punish. Instead, He will give us the lands those nations would have inhabited if they had made peace with Him instead of plotting against Him.

 

 

What to DO after reading this passage

The psalm teaches us we are to submit to the Lord. But it also says that if we take refuge in Him, He will bless us. He will break our chains so that we can be free to serve Him more fully.

 

Pray to the Lord naming any chains that bind you – sinful behaviors, addictions, fear, anxiety, unforgiveness – and believe that He has set you free from those things. Claim freedom in the power of the Spirit!

 

 

 

Do you have another insight into this passage? Please share below!