The King, My Son (Psalm 2)

By Suzie Johnston

As I considered this psalm, I was amazed at how many times it is referenced in the New Testament.  It made me think of Jesus on the road to Emmaus speaking and revealing Himself, “and beginning with Moses and all the prophets , he explained to them what was said in all the scriptures concerning himself.” Luke 24.  Looking at this psalm makes me appreciate afresh the amazing redemption story through all of the pages of the Bible.

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 begotten You. Ask of Me, and I will give You The nations for Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth for Your possession. Psalm2:6-8

In this psalm Jesus is spoken of as a son as well as the king.  While we know that He is God’s son, the term also reminds us that He is a son like us.  In Jesus, God’s son took on flesh.  He is our brother.  As our King, He is fully sympathetic with our weakness.

This passage is quoted in Hebrews 1:5.  Paul uses it as evidence of the deity of Jesus and his superiority to all the angels.  God has many plans in his heart and each one will be fulfilled.  But the declaration “You are my son” underlines the unique position of Jesus in all of God’s purposes. “Moreover the Father judges no-one but has entrusted all judgement to the Son, that all may honour the Son just as they honour the Father.  He who does not honour the Son does not honour the Father who sent him.”  John5:22

We’ve had a number of international visitors to the prayer room in recent weeks.  As we have prayed together it has been a privilege to be reminded that we are part of God’s global story.  He is my king, but also the king who will rule over all the nations.

How can we position ourselves so we can have hearts like the hearts of those on the Emmaus Road when their hearts burned within them?  How can we from our little corner of Manchester partner ever more with all He is doing across the globe?