God Is In Control

Psalm 2- God Is In Control

I. Psalm 2:1-3

1 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? 2 The kings of the earth

set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his

anointed, saying, 3 Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.

Peter and John are harassed after healing blind man. Released. Luke writes.

Acts 4:25 Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? 26 The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. 27 For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, 28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.

We are here told who would appear as adversaries to Christ. As this world is the kingdom of Satan, unconverted men, of every rank, party, and character, are stirred up by him to oppose the cause of God. But the rulers of the earth generally have been most active. The truths and precepts of Christianity are against ambitious projects and worldly lusts. We are told what they aim at in this opposition. They would break asunder the bands of conscience, and the cords of God's commandments; they will not receive, but cast them away as far as they can. These enemies can show no good cause for opposing so just and holy a government, which, if received by all, would bring a heaven upon earth. They can hope for no success in so opposing so powerful a kingdom. The Lord Jesus has all power both in heaven and in earth, and is Head over all things to the church, notwithstanding the restless endeavors of his enemies. Christ's throne is set up in his church, that is, in the hearts of all believers. (Matthew Henry)

We have, in the first three verses, a description of the hatred of human nature against the

Christ of God. (Charles Spurgeon)

A. Verse 1 Why do the heathen rage, and the people [nations-pagan or idolators] imagine

a vain thing?

1. Rage—to be tumultuous, It refers to the rushing together of the mob who

gnashed their teeth at the Messiah. (Dake)

2. Rage

a. The word with which Paul renders this in Greek notes rage, pride, and

restlessness, as of horses that neigh, and rush into battle. (C.H.S.)

b. The word for “rage” is primarily applied to animal ferocity, especially

to that of untamed horses. (Ellicotts Comm.)

c. rage - violent commotion or agitation. (Barnes Notes)

3. The Psalm begins abruptly with an angry interrogation. (Spurgeon)

4. 5 Acts of the Ungodly (Dake)

a. They rage (v. 1)

b. Imagine (plot vain things) (v. 1)

c. Set themselves against God and Messiah (v. 2)

d. Counsel together against God and Messiah (v. 2)

e. Encourage themselves to get rid of God and Messiah (v. 2)

5. Where there is much rage, there is generally some folly, and in this case there

is an excess of it.

6. It was not temporary rage, but deep-seated hate, for they set themselves

resolutely to withstand the Prince of Peace.

7. Imagine

a. "to form a notion or idea in the mind; to fancy." Webster.

b. "The peoples" still to this day "imagine a vain thing" - imagine that

Christianity will succumb to the assaults made upon it - will fade, die away, and disappear. (Pulpit Comm.)

8. Vain --empty (1), nothing (1), uselessly (2), vain thing (1), what is worthless

9. However mad the resolution to revolt from God, it is one in which man has

persevered ever since his creation, and he continues in it to this very day. The glorious reign of Jesus in the latter day will not be consummated, until a terrible struggle has convulsed the nations. (Treasury of David)

B. Verse 2 The kings of the earth set themselves [take their stand; with hostile intent],

and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his

anointed, saying,

1. There is always a warfare between the world and the Church, in which kings

are apt to take a part, most often on the worldly side. (Pulpit Comm.)

2. The kings of the earth — So called by way of contempt, and to show their

madness in opposing the God of heaven. (Benson Comm.)

This will happen twice in the future. At the Battle of Armageddon and

after the one thousand year reign.

3. In Spain, two monumental pillars were raised, on which were written

Diocletian Jovian Maximian Herculeus Caesares Augusti, for having

extinguished the name of Christians. (Joseph Caryl 1647)