Kiss God’s Son – Psalm 2

Does Yahweh laugh?  Yes, but not always because something is funny.  In Psalm 2 He laughs derisively at those who think they can win a battle against His anointed one, His king.  This psalm was likely sung at a coronation of a king in Israel.  The warning to foreign rulers who might seek to remove themselves from Israel’s dominance by refusing to pay tribute as defeated foes is not likely heard by these kings but is for the sake of Israel.  They are the rightful rulers of the nations.

Why do the nations rage and the peoples 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 and cast away 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 begotten you.  Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession.  You shall break them with a rod of iron and 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, and rejoice with trembling.  Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled.  Blessed are all who take refuge in him.   (Psalm 2 ESV)

To those Gentile nations who desire to be out from under the control of Israel and her king, the psalmist warns them that this son of David is made God’s son, is begotten by Yahweh, figuratively speaking, to rule God’s people for Him, and they had better make peace with him or face his wrath.  In Acts 4 the newly formed and persecuted church saw this psalm as relevant to them, as well.  The Gentiles were opposing Jesus the king.  But I love what the ESV Study Bible commentator says, “Since the Lord is not dismayed, neither do his people need to be. In fact, God laughs at the rebels and declares his firm purpose to establish the throne of David as he has promised.”

God had promised David a perpetual throne and this becomes the hope of another anointed one (Messiah in Hebrew, Christ in Greek) in the line of David who will fulfill this in the forever kingdom of God.  Jesus fits the prophecy and expectation, though Israel, by and large, has rejected him.  They too must kiss the son some day.  God promises to fulfill His will to bring the nations to Himself through Jesus, the Messiah.  National Israel will then hold the primary place in God’s kingdom over the nations.

It is to our benefit to kiss the Son, to submit to God’s ruler, Jesus Christ.  His rule is benevolent and righteous.  We will be blessed if we take refuge in him.