Psalm Two introduces an interesting facet to the facts concerning Messiah. 'Why do the heathen rage, and the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying. Let us break their bonds in pieces and cast away their cords from us." (Psalm 2:1-3). This Psalm contains a prophetic vision which portrays a multitude of nations and their kings in rebellion against God and His Anointed One. The Lord of Heaven laughs at these vain threats of earthly kings! He will end their rebellion. He will pour out judgment against these kings and will establish King Messiah upon the Holy Hill of Zion.

"Yet I have set My King on My holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree: the Lord has said to Me, You are my Son, Today I have be- gotten You. Ask of Me, and I will give You the nations for Your inheritance, and the ends of the earth for Your possession" (Psalm 2:6- 8). The Lord speaks concerning the Messiah, the Anointed One, as the Son of God. The heathen kings will be the inheritance of the Son, and He will reign over the earth. All those nations and individuals that are truly wise will bow before the Messiah and worship Him. All those who put their trust in Him will be eternally blessed.

Who is meant by the Son- the Anointed One? It is an undoubted fact that the ancient Jews universally regarded this psalm as foretelling the Messiah. The older Jewish writings indicate their belief that this psalm speaks of Messiah. One Jewish authority very honestly gives his reason for departing from the Messianic interpretation. He declares that the psalm speaks only of David in order to refute the "heretics" who are the believers in Jesus.

Some writers have objected to the war-like character of the Messiah which is portrayed in this psalm. This King-Messiah will inflict severe punishment upon his foes. The prophets of the Jewish Scriptures such as Isaiah tell us that Messiah will "smite the earth with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips shall He slay the wicked. He shall destroy the enemies of His kingdom."

There is portrayed in Scripture the Messiah as the Lamb of God suffering silently for the sins of the world and again portrayed as the Lion of Judah which will execute judgment. This is under- stood in the light of the two appearances of Messiah. First, He came to suffer for the sins of the world; secondly, He will appear to make war against His enemies and establish His kingdom.

Who is the Son? God clearly is talking about the Messiah when he proclaims, "You are My Son. Today I have begotten You." And again He says, "Kiss the Son." This "begetting" is the coronation of

the King-Messiah. The New Testament writers related this event to the resurrection of Jesus the Messiah. When the psalmist says, "kiss the Son," he speaks of giving homage or worship to the Son. He is speaking about a specific Person. He is not speaking in a general way concerning the "sons of God" but is speaking about the specific Son- the eternal Son. Here God is calling the nations and rulers to turn from their rebellion and worship the Messiah.

Careful consideration reveals that it is impossible to equate this King with David or with his son, Solomon. Also the extent of the kingdom of the Anointed One extends from the "holy hill of Zion" to the uttermost parts of the earth. Jerusalem was not known as the Holy Hill until after the Temple was built. No earthly king could claim such a kingdom which extended to the uttermost parts of the earth. Many earthly rulers have sought to rule the world but none have accom- plished this feat. It is evident that the King-Messiah is not an ordinary ruler. He is a Divine Person. He is victorious over all that take counsel against Him. He is victorious over death as He fulfills the promise made to David- a kingdom which will stand forever.

The psalmist speaks of rebellious kings and rulers of the earth. These are people from the families of the nations- the non-Jewish world. They do not know the God of Abraham and the God of David. They have turned from the witness of the true and living God to the worship of gods of wood, stone and precious metals. How then shall the Anointed One inherit these pagan nations? The subjects of the Messiah's kingdom will become the missionaries. They will proclaim the gospel of the Kingdom to the ends of the earth. These evangelists will call all men to repent and turn from their perilous ways to worship and serve the true, living God.

The call of God is serve the Lord with reverence and pay homage to the Son. If you will not bow before Him in willing submission now, you will one day be forced to bow before Him. One day every knee will bow to the Messiah and every tongue will confess that He is Lord of all. "Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him" (Psalm 2:12). The truly happy man of the First Psalm is the person who delights in the Law of the Lord. The truly happy man of Second Psalm is the one who places his faith and trust in the Messiah. "How blessed is the man who has made the Lord his trust, and does not respect the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies." (Psalm. 40:4).

Do we not all live in a day when we often reach the end of our own resources and strength? To whom shall we turn in times of trouble? Friends? Sometimes they forsake us in times of trouble. Family? Even those who should be the closest to us are often powerless to help us. Is money secure? Is position secure? Is powerful influence our strong tower in times of need? None of these are sure

and steadfast. The living God is our only answer. He has come down to help us in the Person of the Messiah- Jesus. You too may become a part of the family of God and the Kingdom of the Messiah. Place your faith and complete trust in Him. You will never regret such a personal commitment to Him. You will be a person who is truly blessed!

E. Alger