I. THE HISTORIC HOSTILITY OF MAN TO GOD, Psalms 2:1-3

A. The question of verse one is asked in surprise, when it is utter folly to resist God.

B. The text demonstrates the natural "rage" and the historic plotting of man against God’s right to govern him. History is the story of the rage of man’s anger at God as if it is an assembly of humanity acting like a raging sea.

C. Acts 4:26,27 records the leaders of the world gather together against God, His anointed Christ and even do so when Jesus was a "holy child."

D. People meditate (imagine) on ways to war against God. The text implies that people have planning meetings to resist God and deny His existence.

E. Leading the rebellion against God are kings and rulers (political leaders) who agree in closed counsel (deliberations) to be against God and His anointed, (messiah) Christ.

F. The extent of this rebellion and deep-seated hatred is shown by the word, "set". It means they "have taken a stand" against God.

G. The purpose of the rebellion against God is to get rid of His restraints of rights and wrongs (bands and cords).

H. The world’s resolution is to revolt against God’s right to govern His creation. Nothing is more effective than to teach each generation that God did not create and really does not exist.

II. GOD’S DETERMINATION TO CARRY OUT HIS PURPOSE, 2:4-6

A. God is pictured in these verses as ruling on a throne in heaven far above man’s reach.

B. God is said to be laughing in contempt at man’s feeble opposition.

C. Man’s vanity seems to excite God mockery.

D. The end result of man’s revolt against God is ridicule (derision) because God will ultimately have His righteous way just as He planned it.

E. God is not adjusting His plans to fit man folly’s. He is sovereign over everything.

F. "Lord" in the Hebrew is "adonai" meaning "sustainer." Jesus is creator, sustainer, redeemer and ultimately ruler.

G. God can speak! Cf. Genesis 1:3, Hebrews 1:1-3. In this futuristic text God speaks not in love, but in anger (wrath) with agitation (vex) and in great displeasure.

H. Notice that God laughs and then speaks. For God to speak is the same as for Him to act.

I. Yet verse six shows a determination in God's actions. In spite of His displeasure He will provide a savior, redeemer and king.

J. Christ will return to rule as king of the earth from the very holy hill, Jerusalem, where He was rejected, crucified, buried, resurrected and ascended. This is a determined action of God and He has set His mind to accomplish the rulership of Christ in spite of all opposition.

K. If you want an explanation for all the conflict that is taking place in Israel, here it is. Jesus will rule from the very site where sin was paid for on Calvary. Satan is totally committed to preventing this from occurring.

III. THE IMMINENT DANGER TO ALL WHO RESIST, 2:7-9

A. A decree is a determination action of God that will take place regardless of all efforts to keep it from happening. One of the decrees of God is that His son has the right to rule over everything in a universal dominion.

B. This fundamental decree is the sum of Holy Scripture. It is a fact not only decreed personally, but declared publicly.

C. The relationship of the Father to the Son (Jesus) is one in which the Father has given eternal ownership and heir to the created universe, Colossians 1:11-16. Nothing makes an evolutionist more nervous than to admit to a personal creative God who will call everything into accountability. Their goal is to explain God out of existence, yet He continues to exist without their approval.

D. Verse eight continues the ultimate decree of the Father by stating that the nations of the world will be overthrown, rendered powerless and given in submission to Christ when He sets up His earthly kingdom in a universal reign.

E. The enemies of God experience the wrath of God only because they reject the grace of God. Nations once finally broken cannot be mended any more than a clay pot can be restored to its original condition, 2:9.

IV. THE BLESSING FOR ALL WHO WELCOME THE KING, 2:10-12

A. The call of God is for all leaders to show penitence and submission to the Lord's right to rule.