Psalms 2:10–12

God will finally make righteousness triumph and will put down all ungodliness for the earth. That is the theme of these two Psalms, and it declares the righteousness of God in government. So the grace preached in the gospel is not found here. There is no call to repentance (Ps. 2:10 is a warning instead). There is no promise of forgiveness to the guilty when he confesses, and none of restoration to a failing saint. Righteousness goes with reward, and ungodliness with judgment.

"Now therefore, O kings, be wise… Blessed are all who take refuge in Him" (Ps. 2:10-12). This is very different from the gospel now, but it is just as much of God in its own season, and it will surely go out when God begins to deal with man in judgment.

The teaching here applies, in principle, at all times, and so it applies today too. But the full meaning of this call will appear only when the King sits on His own throne… Now the gospel message does not address kings and judges as kings and judges, but as ruined sinners. God preaches the free gospel of His grace to them, as to everyone else… Then kings of nations will be called to hold their thrones as subjects of Jehovah's Christ.

So the warning word still goes out to the kings of the earth. Wisdom for them will be to submit to Jehovah before the blow comes that will humble them for good — too late for blessing to them then! Even those who do submit may well "rejoice with trembling" at the great danger they have come so near to.

Now, while there is still opportunity for repentance, let the great men of the world weigh God's declared testimony that the Lord Jesus will certainly reign over all. If only men would "serve the Lord with fear," then they would also "rejoice with trembling" — rejoice because it is the Lord they trust. They would tremble because they must give account to the God of heaven and earth.

The hour of His public glory has not yet come — the hour when all human opposition and pretension will be overthrown. So God gives a word of warning to the kings and judges of the earth, and to all others too. There is still time to offer submission to the Lord and to serve Him… Anyone who wants to offer submission must do so by honouring the Son.

It is according to God's ways to give warning. Every lost soul, at least in the lands where the Christian message has gone, has heard at some time the warning voice of Him who must punish the wicked. So all are without excuse.

When did the conflict between the powers of earth and Jehovah begin? Acts 4:25-28 supplies the answer. It began at the Cross. It continues still, and will break out in even more determined opposition when Revelation 19:19 is fulfilled… Meanwhile God would plead with those who oppose Him to be wise and submit to the King, kissing the Son as a sign of submission (Ps. 2:10-12). But, as we shall see further on, the plea achieves little.

The warnings of the decree are the ground of this appeal to the great ones of the earth. Before Christ comes out to reign in righteousness, the invitation goes out to the nations to submit to Christ and be reconciled to the Son. Otherwise they will perish when His anger is kindled even a little. Judgment is indeed coming for the nations. But some among them will put their trust in the Lord, and they will be blessed.

There is still time to repent. So let the great men of the world weigh God's declared testimony: the Lord Jesus will certainly reign over all. If only men would "serve the LORD with fear," they would also "rejoice with trembling" — rejoice because it is the Lord they trust, and tremble because they must give account to the God of heaven and earth.

The hour of His public glory has not yet come, when He will overthrow all human opposition and pride. So a word of warning goes out to the kings and judges of the earth, and to everyone else. There is still time to offer submission to the Lord and to serve Him. Then, though trembling at the memory of His might, one may rejoice at the coming vindication and glory of the Son.

Psalm 2 is the time when judgment is ending, and the Son sets government right by the power of His wrath. "Now therefore, O kings, be wise," for if the Son's wrath is kindled, all will be over with you. This has nothing to do with the gospel of God's grace. The kings of the earth are not in relationship with the Father and the Son, but in rebellion against Jehovah and His Christ. It is a direct question of judgment — the closing scene.

Here kings are called on to submit before the coming judgment of the earth. But this is not yet executed, and we have to learn our own lesson in patience. This the Psalms will teach us.

But though dread is gone from the believing soul, reverence remains. It deepens as we come to know God and His Word better. So comes the call to "offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe" (Heb. 12:28). With it grows an inward horror of sin in every form, and a strong desire to walk in complete separation from it. "The fear of the LORD is hatred of evil" (Prov. 8:13). He who wallows in sin, whatever his religious profession, has never known our God.

It is a serious thing, whatever the goodness of God may be, to find peace with a God of holiness. Christ has made peace; but He would have us feel what it is to need it, so that we may know it. Our hearts are so subtle and wicked that carelessness follows peace. We feared sin before, and now that we are freed from this heavy burden, we go forward not only more easily, but often, sadly, carelessly. Rejoice before God, and not without God, for the peace He has given you; rejoice in trembling. It is the means of preserving peace, by grace.