For the full context of this post read Psalm 2
When I began this blog I decided that on Sundays I would post from the Psalms. Being an analytical and logical thinker, it also made sense for me to begin with Psalm 1 and work my way through all of the Psalms. This worked well until I got to Psalm 2. I am grateful for my study Bible, Biblical scholars such as George Wood (2010), and long distance running. The Holy Spirit used these three things to help me digest the context and application of Psalm 2.
1 Why do the nations conspire
and the peoples plot in vain?
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
10 Therefore, you kings, be wise;
be warned, you rulers of the earth.
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. (Psalm 2: 1,4-5, 10, & 12)
Psalm 2 was written during the time of a new king’s reign. Not everyone was happy about the new king and some people plotted against it. Verse 4 provides some humor to the Psalm by declaring the One enthroned in heaven laughs. God saw the things that were planned against him and he laughed at them. God knows his plans will always triumph over man’s plans. The Psalm goes on to describe a God who doesn’t just laugh off evil plans, but who rebukes men with his anger and terrifies them with his wrath. That's not the type of God that I want to make angry!
The Psalm ends with “Kiss the Son,” and “Blessed are all who take refuge in him.” As already stated, a great study Bible, George Wood (2010), and a long run helped me to decipher this passage. The more that I meditated on the verse 12 of this Psalm, the more I found myself thinking “I want to kiss the son.” In this context kiss the son was used as a form of surrender to a sovereign king. Reflecting on the Psalm in its entirety I realized that God knows the wrong that I do, and he may laugh when I ignorantly think that I can do my own thing, but he will not tolerate disobedience from me or from you. It is not the terrifying wrath of the One enthroned in heaven that makes me want to kiss the Son. Rather, it is the last line of the Psalm, “Blessed are all who take refuge in him,” which makes me want to kiss the Son. The image of the all mighty God whose wrath could flare up and lead to my destruction, is matched by the image of the all mighty God who allows me to surrender to him, kiss the Son and take refuge in him. That’s the type of God that I want to serve.
NIV Faithlife Illustrated Study Bible. (2017). Zondervan.
Wood, G.O. (2010). A Psalm in your heart. Gospel Publishing House.
A very insightful application.