_ PSALM 2 – Kiss the Son Lest He be Angry!!
Henry Law, D.D.
Dean Law (1797–1884), was one of the leaders of the evangelical party in the church of England. He
became dean of Gloucester in 1862. Like his fellow Anglican, J.C. Ryle, Law’s writings possess clarity,
conciseness, and timeless application. His numerous pamphlets and books enjoyed a wide readership
and were used to great effect. Of his better-known works, Christ is All – The Gospel in the Pentateuch,
are much-prized. The Banner of Truth Trust has republished two of the above volumes, The Gospel in
Genesis and The Gospel in Exodus. What follows on Psalm 2 is from his work on the Psalms, entitled,
Family Devotion; the Book of Psalms arranged for Worship. And the second piece is from something
entitled, Cordials in Temporal Troubles – Ed.
To oppose the kingdom of Christ is utterly vain, because it is established by the Father’s
power, and by the provisions of the eternal decree. Holy exhortation follows. May faith read
reverently the prophetic hymn!
Verse 1 “Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?”
Pious anticipation might exclaim, “Surely, when Jesus comes to bless this earth, adoring
welcomes will receive Him. Surely each heart will call Him to its throne; each knee will bow;
each tongue will shout His praise; thanksgivings will encircle Him.” Those who thus reason
little know the devil’s power and man’s rebellious wickedness. The Spirit’s eye foresees the
black reality. Among the heathen, rage shall be rampant. The favoured nation of Israel shall
plot destruction. How base, how vain is this iniquity! It may well be asked, What prompts
this hatred? Why does this frenzy madden?
Verse 2 “The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel
together against the LORD, and against his anointed.”
Those who occupy earth’s highest seats are fiercest to oppose Jesus. The Herods and Pilates
take determined stand. The council of the priests and elders meet in secret assembly. In the
beginning it was so. The same hatred has defiled succeeding thrones and courts. Against
whom is this rage? Tremble, O earth, turn pale, you heavens. This fury assails the Lord
Jehovah and His beloved Son. The Father sends the Son anointed by the Spirit to be the
promised Saviour, to execute the all-saving offices of Prophet, Priest, and King, to bless the
Church with every blessing. And earth’s chiefs combine to tread Him beneath insulting feet.
Give ear! this is their frantic cry --
Verse 3 “Let us break their band asunder, and cast away their cords from us.”
Self-will rejects restraint. Pride will not yield to rule. Licentiousness surmounts all barriers.
Conceited reason lifts up defiant head. The gentle sceptre of Christ’s kingdom, His sweet,
His light, His easy, and His loving yoke, are hated as chains which restrain and cords which
fetter. When Jesus came, earth raised the cry, “We will not have this man to reign over us.”
It still resounds. When will man learn that widest liberty is true submission to the Gospel
sway? He is a free man whom the Son makes free. He is a slave in whom unbridled lusts and
passions rule. But can proud man prevail? Can he drive back the ocean’s might with a
feather? Can he lift up his puny hand, and bid the sun conceal its rays? Can he with straws
bind the hurricane? Can he lay mountains low, exalt the valleys, and change the laws of
nature? Can he scale heaven and dethrone our God? Such, doubtless, is his frantic will. But
give ear again;
Verse 4 “He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the LORD shall have them in
derision.”
Let us lift up our eyes to God. He sits upon His throne on high; while earth is all unsettled,
wild in mad menace, He reigns in calm repose. The Spirit here takes images from human
feeling to depict His unruffled contempt. God laughs derisively, when puny efforts dash their
feebleness against overpowering strength. Thus God shows undisturbed disdain of human
fury.
Verse 5 “Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore
displeasure.”
God may be silent long; but patience is not impunity. Reprieve brings not release. When the
appointed time comes, the floodgates open and wrath overflows. Who can conceive these
terrors? What must His displeasure be? Who can endure when His anger issues forth? What
weeping, what wailing, what anguish, what gnashing of teeth, when God arises to execute
due judgment on His foes!
Verse 6 “Yet have I set My King upon My holy hill of Zion.”
In spite of earth’s malignant rage, God manifests His King. He called His Son to be the heir
of all things. Upon His shoulder supreme government is laid. His hand receives the sceptre
of universal reign. He announces, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” Who
can resist? Who can withstand? Our Jesus is God’s King by choice, by appointment, by will,
and by sovereign decree. Now He spiritually sits enthroned on Zion’s holy hill. He reigns
supreme in every true believer’s heart. He is invited by rejoicing love. Lift up your heads, O
you gates, and be ye lift up, O portals of my soul, and the King of glory shall come in. He
enters, and all heaven follows in His train. He enters, and establishes the kingdom of
righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. This present reign on Zion’s holy hill is
now open to the eye of faith.
But the day quickly comes when Jesus’ throne shall be universally conspicuous. The wicked
cannot hinder. Their rage can interpose no barrier. God has spoken. It must be. It must
soon be. “Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the LORD of
hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously” (Isaiah
24:23).
Verse 7 “I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son;
this day have I begotten thee.”
Oh, wondrous thought! Before the birth of time, eternal councils willed the well-being of
man. A covenant of grace was firmly made. We live in hope of eternal life, which God, who
cannot lie, promised before the world began. Jesus, in His love for souls, in tender zeal to fill
our hearts with joy, and to cause streams of peace to flow, announces the decree. By His
Spirit He unfolds it. In His Word He writes the record. Here He displays important articles.
It was decreed that honour should await Him as God’s co-eternal Son. For a brief period His
deity was hidden. In outward appearance He differed little from the sons of men.
Occasionally, heavenly rays broke forth; but the sun’s brightness was eclipsed. Thus, as man,
He suffered and died. The resurrection-morn arrives. He strides forth the mighty conqueror
of death and hell. The glorious rising has a glorious voice. With trumpet-tongue it tells the
wondering world, Jesus is God’s Son! this day removes all doubt! this day unveils Him! The
Father has begotten Him — another morn will brightly shine. Greater manifestations rapidly
come on. Amid all glory Jesus will be shown again as God’s co-equal, co-eternal Son. Who
then can shake His kingdom’s firm supports?
Verse 8 “Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and
the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.”
Another article of the covenant is stated. Christ’s kingdom shall exceed all bounds. The
outcast heathen shall bend the knee. Earth’s uttermost extent shall call Him Lord. But this
shall be in answer to His prayer. In heaven the Son shall prosecute His entreaty. With
supplication He shall urge His claims. His pleading shall recite His part performed — the
ransom paid — the kingdom bought — all hindrances removed. He shall thus ask, and He
shall thus obtain. Blessed Jesus, extend thy wounded hands! Let not the Father rest until
earth’s length and breadth shall own thy rule!
Verse 9 “Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shall dash them in
pieces like a potter’s vessel.”
The covenant, moreover, states that all Christ’s enemies shall lick the dust. Hate may
continue. Opposition may oppose. But oh! how vain! Behold His might. A rod of iron is
wielded by His hands. It breaks and cannot be withstood. Opposing strength is brittle as the
potter’s clay. He strikes, and it lies shattered atoms. Thus shall His kingdom trample down
all foes.
Verse 10 “Be wise therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.”
But wrath yet lingers. Space for repentance is given. Let it be duly used. A warning voice
arrests earth’s great ones in their mad career. It bids wisdom to awake, and sit submissively
at Jesus’ feet. The truest sage is a meek learner in the school of grace. To know Christ truly
is the crown of knowledge.
Verse 11 “Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.”
Knowledge leads surely in the paths of service. Gospel-obedience is a blessed walk. It is the
happy union of all grace. Strictest submission goes hand in hand with filial reverence. The
cup of joy is mixed with tenderest dread of error. Love fears. Fear loves. Joy trembles, and
trembling is glad.
Verse 12 “Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they who put their trust in Him.”
Mercy still warns. It points to Jesus. It exhorts to give Him homage, because it is His due --
to worship Him to whom all praise belongs — to love Him who has so loved us as in our
stead to die. It forbids delay. Until our hearts be wholly His, we totter on destruction’s
brink! One spark of kindled wrath excludes forever from salvation’s way. What, then, will be
their doom against whom wrath in full fury blazes?
Sweet melody concludes this hymn. It speaks of blessedness. It tells where true happiness
now and forever dwells. It is in faith. Faith is the saving and the happy grace. It tightly clings
to Christ. It trusts Him at all seasons for all things. Oh! may this blessed state be ours. Truly
blessed it is!
Be encouraged, children of the Most High God, our King Reigns. Things are not as they seem. Our God works ALL THINGS according to the counsel of His Own Will. Let the heathen rage and imagine a vain thing. They only box at shadows. Our God sees all things in the light of eternity. Remember Daniel 7 and the four beasts? Where are they now? Our King still Reigns. He does all His Will in the earth for the good of His People and the calling out of the bride for His Beloved Son. Read the end of the story in Revelation 21 & 22!
Henry Law, D.D.
Dean Law (1797–1884), was one of the leaders of the evangelical party in the church of England. He
became dean of Gloucester in 1862. Like his fellow Anglican, J.C. Ryle, Law’s writings possess clarity,
conciseness, and timeless application. His numerous pamphlets and books enjoyed a wide readership
and were used to great effect. Of his better-known works, Christ is All – The Gospel in the Pentateuch,
are much-prized. The Banner of Truth Trust has republished two of the above volumes, The Gospel in
Genesis and The Gospel in Exodus. What follows on Psalm 2 is from his work on the Psalms, entitled,
Family Devotion; the Book of Psalms arranged for Worship. And the second piece is from something
entitled, Cordials in Temporal Troubles – Ed.
To oppose the kingdom of Christ is utterly vain, because it is established by the Father’s
power, and by the provisions of the eternal decree. Holy exhortation follows. May faith read
reverently the prophetic hymn!
Verse 1 “Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?”
Pious anticipation might exclaim, “Surely, when Jesus comes to bless this earth, adoring
welcomes will receive Him. Surely each heart will call Him to its throne; each knee will bow;
each tongue will shout His praise; thanksgivings will encircle Him.” Those who thus reason
little know the devil’s power and man’s rebellious wickedness. The Spirit’s eye foresees the
black reality. Among the heathen, rage shall be rampant. The favoured nation of Israel shall
plot destruction. How base, how vain is this iniquity! It may well be asked, What prompts
this hatred? Why does this frenzy madden?
Verse 2 “The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel
together against the LORD, and against his anointed.”
Those who occupy earth’s highest seats are fiercest to oppose Jesus. The Herods and Pilates
take determined stand. The council of the priests and elders meet in secret assembly. In the
beginning it was so. The same hatred has defiled succeeding thrones and courts. Against
whom is this rage? Tremble, O earth, turn pale, you heavens. This fury assails the Lord
Jehovah and His beloved Son. The Father sends the Son anointed by the Spirit to be the
promised Saviour, to execute the all-saving offices of Prophet, Priest, and King, to bless the
Church with every blessing. And earth’s chiefs combine to tread Him beneath insulting feet.
Give ear! this is their frantic cry --
Verse 3 “Let us break their band asunder, and cast away their cords from us.”
Self-will rejects restraint. Pride will not yield to rule. Licentiousness surmounts all barriers.
Conceited reason lifts up defiant head. The gentle sceptre of Christ’s kingdom, His sweet,
His light, His easy, and His loving yoke, are hated as chains which restrain and cords which
fetter. When Jesus came, earth raised the cry, “We will not have this man to reign over us.”
It still resounds. When will man learn that widest liberty is true submission to the Gospel
sway? He is a free man whom the Son makes free. He is a slave in whom unbridled lusts and
passions rule. But can proud man prevail? Can he drive back the ocean’s might with a
feather? Can he lift up his puny hand, and bid the sun conceal its rays? Can he with straws
bind the hurricane? Can he lay mountains low, exalt the valleys, and change the laws of
nature? Can he scale heaven and dethrone our God? Such, doubtless, is his frantic will. But
give ear again;
Verse 4 “He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the LORD shall have them in
derision.”
Let us lift up our eyes to God. He sits upon His throne on high; while earth is all unsettled,
wild in mad menace, He reigns in calm repose. The Spirit here takes images from human
feeling to depict His unruffled contempt. God laughs derisively, when puny efforts dash their
feebleness against overpowering strength. Thus God shows undisturbed disdain of human
fury.
Verse 5 “Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore
displeasure.”
God may be silent long; but patience is not impunity. Reprieve brings not release. When the
appointed time comes, the floodgates open and wrath overflows. Who can conceive these
terrors? What must His displeasure be? Who can endure when His anger issues forth? What
weeping, what wailing, what anguish, what gnashing of teeth, when God arises to execute
due judgment on His foes!
Verse 6 “Yet have I set My King upon My holy hill of Zion.”
In spite of earth’s malignant rage, God manifests His King. He called His Son to be the heir
of all things. Upon His shoulder supreme government is laid. His hand receives the sceptre
of universal reign. He announces, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” Who
can resist? Who can withstand? Our Jesus is God’s King by choice, by appointment, by will,
and by sovereign decree. Now He spiritually sits enthroned on Zion’s holy hill. He reigns
supreme in every true believer’s heart. He is invited by rejoicing love. Lift up your heads, O
you gates, and be ye lift up, O portals of my soul, and the King of glory shall come in. He
enters, and all heaven follows in His train. He enters, and establishes the kingdom of
righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. This present reign on Zion’s holy hill is
now open to the eye of faith.
But the day quickly comes when Jesus’ throne shall be universally conspicuous. The wicked
cannot hinder. Their rage can interpose no barrier. God has spoken. It must be. It must
soon be. “Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the LORD of
hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously” (Isaiah
24:23).
Verse 7 “I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son;
this day have I begotten thee.”
Oh, wondrous thought! Before the birth of time, eternal councils willed the well-being of
man. A covenant of grace was firmly made. We live in hope of eternal life, which God, who
cannot lie, promised before the world began. Jesus, in His love for souls, in tender zeal to fill
our hearts with joy, and to cause streams of peace to flow, announces the decree. By His
Spirit He unfolds it. In His Word He writes the record. Here He displays important articles.
It was decreed that honour should await Him as God’s co-eternal Son. For a brief period His
deity was hidden. In outward appearance He differed little from the sons of men.
Occasionally, heavenly rays broke forth; but the sun’s brightness was eclipsed. Thus, as man,
He suffered and died. The resurrection-morn arrives. He strides forth the mighty conqueror
of death and hell. The glorious rising has a glorious voice. With trumpet-tongue it tells the
wondering world, Jesus is God’s Son! this day removes all doubt! this day unveils Him! The
Father has begotten Him — another morn will brightly shine. Greater manifestations rapidly
come on. Amid all glory Jesus will be shown again as God’s co-equal, co-eternal Son. Who
then can shake His kingdom’s firm supports?
Verse 8 “Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and
the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.”
Another article of the covenant is stated. Christ’s kingdom shall exceed all bounds. The
outcast heathen shall bend the knee. Earth’s uttermost extent shall call Him Lord. But this
shall be in answer to His prayer. In heaven the Son shall prosecute His entreaty. With
supplication He shall urge His claims. His pleading shall recite His part performed — the
ransom paid — the kingdom bought — all hindrances removed. He shall thus ask, and He
shall thus obtain. Blessed Jesus, extend thy wounded hands! Let not the Father rest until
earth’s length and breadth shall own thy rule!
Verse 9 “Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shall dash them in
pieces like a potter’s vessel.”
The covenant, moreover, states that all Christ’s enemies shall lick the dust. Hate may
continue. Opposition may oppose. But oh! how vain! Behold His might. A rod of iron is
wielded by His hands. It breaks and cannot be withstood. Opposing strength is brittle as the
potter’s clay. He strikes, and it lies shattered atoms. Thus shall His kingdom trample down
all foes.
Verse 10 “Be wise therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.”
But wrath yet lingers. Space for repentance is given. Let it be duly used. A warning voice
arrests earth’s great ones in their mad career. It bids wisdom to awake, and sit submissively
at Jesus’ feet. The truest sage is a meek learner in the school of grace. To know Christ truly
is the crown of knowledge.
Verse 11 “Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.”
Knowledge leads surely in the paths of service. Gospel-obedience is a blessed walk. It is the
happy union of all grace. Strictest submission goes hand in hand with filial reverence. The
cup of joy is mixed with tenderest dread of error. Love fears. Fear loves. Joy trembles, and
trembling is glad.
Verse 12 “Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they who put their trust in Him.”
Mercy still warns. It points to Jesus. It exhorts to give Him homage, because it is His due --
to worship Him to whom all praise belongs — to love Him who has so loved us as in our
stead to die. It forbids delay. Until our hearts be wholly His, we totter on destruction’s
brink! One spark of kindled wrath excludes forever from salvation’s way. What, then, will be
their doom against whom wrath in full fury blazes?
Sweet melody concludes this hymn. It speaks of blessedness. It tells where true happiness
now and forever dwells. It is in faith. Faith is the saving and the happy grace. It tightly clings
to Christ. It trusts Him at all seasons for all things. Oh! may this blessed state be ours. Truly
blessed it is!
Be encouraged, children of the Most High God, our King Reigns. Things are not as they seem. Our God works ALL THINGS according to the counsel of His Own Will. Let the heathen rage and imagine a vain thing. They only box at shadows. Our God sees all things in the light of eternity. Remember Daniel 7 and the four beasts? Where are they now? Our King still Reigns. He does all His Will in the earth for the good of His People and the calling out of the bride for His Beloved Son. Read the end of the story in Revelation 21 & 22!