psalm 2 chiastic structure

Read Psalm 2 at Bible Gateway.

Psalm 2 paragraph divisions:

There is an implied {s} division at the end of every numbered line:

Psa 1:1, Why do the nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing?
Psa 1:2a The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together; {n}
Psa 1:2b, Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying;
Psa 1:3 “Let us break Their bonds in pieces And cast away Their cords from us.”
Psa 1:4 He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The Lord shall hold them in derision.
Psa 1:5 Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, And distress them in His deep displeasure:
Psa 1:6 “Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion.”
Psa 1:7 “I will declare the decree: The Lord has said to Me, ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.
Psa 1:8 Ask of Me, and I will give You The nations for Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth for Your possession.
Psa 1:9 You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel.’”
Psa 1:10 Now therefore, be wise, O kings; Be instructed, you judges of the earth.
Psa 1:11 Serve the Lord with fear, And rejoice with trembling.
Psa 1:12a Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, And you perish in the way, When His wrath is kindled but a little. {n}
Psa 1:12b Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him. {p}

Psalm 2 chiastic structure:

1a) Psa 2:1, Why do the nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing;

1b) Psa 2:2-3, Kings of the earth + rulers:

1) Psa 2:2a {n} The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together;
2) Psa 2:2b-3, Against YHVH + His Anointed, saying; “Let us break Their bonds + cast away Their cords;”

1c) Psa 2:4-5, He who sits in the heavens laughs + YHVH holds them in derision/ He shall speak + distress them in His wrath + deep displeasure;

1d) Psa 2:6, “Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion;”

central axis) Psa 2:7, “I will declare the decree: YHVH has said to Me, ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You;’

2d) Psa 2:8, Ask of Me + I will give You the nations for inheritance + ends of the earth for possession;

2c) Psa 2:9, “You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel;’”

2b) Psa 2:10-12a, Kings + judges of the earth:

1) Psa 2:10, Now therefore, be wise, O kings; Be instructed, you judges of the earth;
2) Psa 2:11-12a {n} Serve YHVH + rejoice with fear + trembling/ Kiss the Son lest He be angry + perish when His wrath is kindled;

2a) Psa 2:12b {p} Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.

Kings, rulers, and judges are all delegated authorities who rule in their spheres in service to God. He is the absolute authority, who has established lesser authorities among men, who answer to Him. The lesser authorities are first, husbands and parents, over the family; priests and prophets, over the congregation, and kings and judges, over the community and nation. None of these authorities have been given free reign, but they each have been assigned responsibilities to perform for the benefit of those who are under them. Furthermore, all of these authorities have limits on their authority, which they must not transgress. These responsibilities and restrictions have been established for them by God, who is the authority over them.

This psalm does not address family authority or congregational authority, only national authority. It was the nations who rebelled against God at the Tower of Babel, and submitted to a king who had set himself up over them in defiance of God. Kings of nations and judges of the earth, not understanding where their authority comes from, continue to rage against their Authority who is over them, to Whom they must submit.

So we have kings bleeding their people of wealth as if they had been conquered by a foreign invader, so that the rulers may enjoy a life of extravagant self- service and luxury. We have judges ruling to strike down the law of God to establish man’s laws, which protect those who harm and do evil, and punish those who do good. Enjoy it now, kings and judges. You are about to be brought to heel. Take wisdom and instruction for yourselves: repent and serve Yehovah with fear and trembling today, so that you may be spared being crushed with a rod of iron tomorrow.

psalm 2, mashiyach, anointed (2011)
three r’s of delegated authority
rom 13, the governing authorities
2 cor 10, the marks of true authority
honor your father and mother index (the torah on authority)
babel / babylon index