At one time, the first two Psalms were considered one long Psalm. It is easy to see how the two are connected because together they serve as an introduction to the book of Psalms. If the Psalms are a literary temple, Psalm 1 serves as the way we enter the temple, and Psalm 2 is who we meet in the temple, the Messiah.
In the book Open and Unafraid, David Taylor highlighted an interesting connection between the first two psalms. Psalm 1 shows how the individual that is centered on God flourishes and has resilience. Psalm 2 talks about how the leader who has submitted to God creates an environment for the community to thrive.
Since reading Open and Unafraid, I have thought a lot about the balance between the two. Certain cultures are typically seen as more individual or more communal. But in every culture, the two need to be in balance.
What is suitable for the individual may not be good for the community as a whole. If we only focus on the good of the community, the herd could stampede and crush the individual.
The bookends of the two psalms nicely contains this connection. Psalm 1 begins Happy the man who has…and Psalm 2 ends with Happy, all who shelter in him.
Psalm 2: The Reign of the Lord’s Anointed
Why are the nations aroused,
and the peoples murmur vain things?
Kings of the earth take their stand,
and princes conspire together
against the Lord and against His anointed.
“Let us tear off their fetters,
let us fling away their bonds!”
He Who dwells in the heavens will laugh,
the master derides them.
Then will He speak to them in His wrath,
in His burning anger dismay them:
“And I – I appointed My king
on Zion, My holy mountain.”
Let me tell as is due of the Lord
He said to me: “You are My son.
I Myself today did beget you.
Ask of me, and I shall give nations as your estate,
and your holdings, the ends of the earth.
You will smash them with a rod of iron,
like a potter’s jar you will dash them.”
And now, O you kings, pay mind,
be chastened, you rulers of the earth.
Worship the Lord in fear,
and exult in trembling.
With purity be armed,
lest He rage and you be lost on the way.
For His wrath in a moment flares up.
Happy, all who shelter in Him.
Establishing Order
The world was here long before we were and will continue long after we have moved on. God is powering it all, not you, me or any of us. Thankfully!
To establish order, there is a system of authority. Where any authority structures are in place there is always the master and the servant. With order comes the possibility for everyone to thrive through cooperation.
This authority structure is also Father and Son relationship. When Christ Jesus began his ministry on earth a voice from heaven declared:
“This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
Matthew 3:17
This order and authority is extended to us when we acknowledge Jesus as King.
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we shall be called children of God! And that is what we are!
1 John 3:1
As God’s children, we are given power, agency, and ability to co-rule with God. He empowers us without overpowering us and is at work in us and through us. We have dominion. Within God’s order we are each appointed as agents to establish order within our sphere of influence.
There is no order in the Kingdom without a king. If everyone got to be King for the day, it would get exhausting for us all. We work to build God’s kingdom, on earth as it is in heaven, when we are surrendered to his will.
God is at the center. No matter how powerful humans, we must realize we are always dependent on him.
Who is going to hold things together while we sleep?
Break Free of The Bonds
It is human nature to want to break free of the conditions we are subject to. It can look like not wanting to play by the rules or make up our own rules.
I have a pretty strong noncompliance streak. It came online early in life. My family life was rather chaotic, and being a trouble maker was my idea of fun.
At twelve, it got me sent off to boarding school, where rules were clear, and everything was scheduled. I revolted! It lasted a couple of years until I realized engaging with respect led to better outcomes.
There are seasons in life where defiance is a necessary stage of development. There will be situations that demand the courage to speak truth to power. Where there are systems of oppression, we need to do the hard work to overturn injustice. In this way, we use our voice for the greater good, having agency, and taking responsibility.
Wanting to do whatever I want is not freedom; it brings consequences that restrict our freedom and ability to make the best decision.
Freedom is knowing what is right and having the agency to do it.
Healthy Boundaries
In His benevolence, God establishes a system of restrictions to ensure all have the opportunity and the possibilities to thrive. Setting healthy boundaries on what is my responsibility and what is not is the way for all to flourish. We determine these in advance as the Spirit leads us.
Boundaries are how we know what is mine and what is not. What is up to me and what is not.
Our responsibility is taking care of what needs to be done. Not doing what I need to be doing, leads to overwhelm. Avoiding responsibilities adds to stress and anxiety.
The same goes for too much responsibility. When I take on problems and issues that are not mine to solve, it saps the life out of me.
Some issues seem so overwhelming that I don’t engage because it seems futile. What’s the point? There will always be a small step I can take. I can’t solve the racial injustice issue, but I talk with a brother or sister of color and try to understand their perspective. Moments like this are always meaningful, even if it makes me uncomfortable.
Ultimately it is knowing what is up to me, up to God or up to other people to take care of.
Worship The Lord In Fear
We order our lives rightly by acknowledging that God is God, and I am not.
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools despise wisdom and discipline.”
Proverbs 1:7
The fear the Lord is not the same as the things we fear in life and avoid. It is holding God in high regard with awe, wonder, and respect. It is praising God, exalting him, and lifting our hearts up to Him.
A moment unmindful of dependence on God nor surrender to His will is focused on self. When our lives are centered on God, rightly ordered and organized around him, we build up others. Creating the fabric of society that supports all to become all they can be.
With purity be armed, it is an interesting line near the end of Psalm 2. The condition of our heart has an impact on others. Where the is a lack of integrity, corruption, or character issues left unresolved will always cause harm to others. We all need to submit to the purification process to free us from contaminants.
The more power you have, the more dangerous you can be. No matter how powerful humans become, we must take responsibility for our misguided actions and work to make things right.
There is only one way to make things right in our lives, and we can’t do it ourselves.
Because Jesus gave up his power, surrendering to the Father, he was turned over to the authorities and crucified. He was exposed to redeem that which is outside our ability. He created the safety that generates freedom.
It is the name of Christ Jesus that welcomes us into the throne room of God. Every other place leaves us exposed.
Happy, all who shelter in Him.
Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I praise you for being the mighty and benevolent King. With goodness and generosity, you establish order and a place for each of us to belong. I am grateful for your grace and your care.
Lord, I am sorry for how I go after things I want and avoid you in the process. I want to get something on my terms and I don’t want to acknowledge my dependence on you. I need to know the joy and delight that only comes in relationship with you.
Holy Spirit, guide my steps and empower me to walk in truth and bring light to the places of the world and my heart that need your revelation.
—