Psalm 2. The Lord laughs. Day 3. Jan 3rd | Anita Mathias: Dreaming Beneath the Spires

Psalm 2

¹ Why do the nations conspire^[a]
   and the peoples plot in vain?
² The kings of the earth rise up
   and the rulers band together
   against the LORD and against his anointed, saying,
³ “Let us break their chains
   and throw off their shackles.”

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, saying,
⁶ “I have installed my king
   on Zion, my holy mountain.”

⁷ I will proclaim the LORD’s decree:

   He said to me, “You are my son;
   today I have become your father.
⁸ Ask me,
   and I will make the nations your inheritance,
   the ends of the earth your possession.
⁹ You will break them with a rod of iron^[b];
   you will dash them to pieces like pottery.”

¹⁰ Therefore, you kings, be wise;
   be warned, you rulers of the earth.
¹¹ Serve the LORD with fear
   and celebrate his rule with trembling.
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.

When that nations conspire, and the people plot, when the kings rise up, and the rulers band together against the Lord, what does the Lord do.

He laughs. He scoffs at them. He holds them in derision.

Therefore, O Christian, be not afraid when people conspire, plot and rise up and band together against you. Make the Lord your refuge, and you will be blessed. Leave it to him to rebuke them in his anger, and terrify them in his wrath.

This is one of the Messianic Psalms, traditionally supposed to refer to Christ, the Messiah.