Morningview Baptist Church

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Psalm for Prayer and Praise: Psalm 2 (ESV)

1 Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?

2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying,

3 “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.”

4 He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision.

5 Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying,

6 “As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill.”

7 I will tell of the decree: The Lord said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you.

8 Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession.

9 You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.”

10 Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth.

11 Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

Scripture Memory for the Week: Psalm 2:10-11

Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

Praying through the Psalms

Day 1 ~ An Earthy Turmoil

Read: Psalm 2:1-3

Consider:

For Adults: This psalm fits into a category known as the “Royal Psalms” in that it explores the covenant that God made with David (and his heir) and understands the fate of the whole of God’s people as being connected to the Lord’ s “Anointed.” In these verses we see an uprising of vassal kings against the earthly Davidic King, but in the bigger picture, we also see the world powers arrayed against Christ, the son of David. As you consider this psalm this week, consider the vanity of revolting against Christ and pray that God would give you a settled peace in face of sinful men and a compassionate heart for those you know are bound up in hopeless sinful rebellion.

Older children: The “Anointed” that this psalm talks about is the King that God placed on the Throne of Israel who was to rule in God’s place as His representative. What rulers has God put in place in your life? How does God expect you to act toward them?

Younger children: Can you ever think of a time when you disobeyed your parents on purpose? Why do you think children sometime choose not to obey? Why do you think people choose to not obey God?

Family Application: Talk together about the terrible vanity of living in rebellion against God and His Anointed One, Christ Jesus. Speak about how God’s sovereignty should give Christians a settled peace in the face of persecution and how they should pity their persecutors.

Pray: Praise God today for His sovereign reign over all the universe and for how He can never be threatened by any earthly power. Ask God to help you discover the seeds of rebellion in your own heart and thank God for sending Jesus to conquer the power of sin and how He will one day return to finally and fully end all rebellion of sinful man.

Meditate: Write this week’s memory verses on a white board in your home and/or on index cards that each family member can carry with them during the week.

Day 2 ~ A Heavenly Perspective

Read: Psalm 2:4-9

Consider:

For Adults: In today’s verses we see that in contrast to the turmoil on earth, God sits ever triumphantly on the throne of Heaven. In verse 7 we see the voice of the psalmist shift to that of the King who receives the promises of the Davidic covenant and thus comforts himself in the knowledge that the purposes of God can never be thwarted by man and that God will ultimately bring all earthly powers into subjection under the rule of the heir of David. Consider how the coming of the nations under subjection to the rule of Christ is actually for their benefit (Rom. 1:5) and how Jesus is accomplishing this even now through the proclamation of the gospel.

Older children: Read verse 7 -9 again. In these verses, we hear the Israelite King begin repeating the promise that God made to him (see 2 Samuel 7:14), calling him God’s own Son. Did you know that this promise is ultimately to Jesus and, through Jesus, to all of God’s people? How do you think that God is, even today, working to give Jesus the nations as His inheritance?

Younger children: Read verse 4 again. Why do you think all the Kings rebelling against God causes God to laugh? Think about things that make you afraid? Do these things scare God? Can anything scare God? Why?

Family Application: Talk together today about how the things that scare us, worry us or saddened us all look different from God’s Heavenly perspective. Talk about remembering how things look to God can give us hope and encouragement when we are discouraged.

Pray: Praise God for how He is working out His eternal plan to bring all the world under the rule of Jesus even when it doesn’t seem like it us. Pray that God would help you to be more faithful to be a part of carrying His gospel of peace to all that nations and pray that God would empower all those serving Him in that mission.

Meditate: See if anyone in the family can quote this week’s memory verse. Make new note cards of any of the cards from day 1 that may have been lost.

Day 3 ~ The Way of the Wise

Read: Psalm 2:10-12

Consider:

For Adults: In these final verses, we see psalmist return to his voice as preacher, and we read his final admonition to the earthly powers of verses 2 and 3. How do you think these verses contain both LAW and GOSPEL? Consider how your hope in the Gospel should lead you to a reverent keeping of the law of God.

Older children: In the ancient world, a servant would often show submission to a master by kissing his hand or even his feet. According to these verses, what will happen to those who do not submit to “The Son” who is Jesus? What decision does the wise man make concerning King Jesus?

Younger children: What does it mean to serve God with fear? Ask your parents how that is like the word “reverence” and talk about ways you can “reverence” God in your family.

Family Application: Talk together about how Jesus is a refuge for all who come to Him in repentance and faith and how obedience and reverence should mark the lives of all believers.

Pray: Praise God today for how He is refuge and a fountain of grace and mercy for all those who come to Him. Pray that He would help you to trust Him more today!

Meditate: See again if anyone in the family can quote this week’s memory verse. Talk about any ways that this verse has encouraged or taught you this week.

Hymn of the Week

http://nethymnal.org/htm/a/c/acoogak.htm