Some motion caught my attention as I was watering my balcony plants a couple of weeks ago.
As I looked more intently toward the motion, I discovered four black kittens and their mama had taken up residence in our neighbor’s backyard.
I had wondered what place of refuge the pregnant stray mama cat would ultimately choose to have her litter.
Our neighbor’s backyard, although fenced, also has some gaps that will allow for ease of departure when desired by both the momma cat and her offspring. The yard also has some items covered with tarps and other gear the kittens can explore or hide in to get away from either predators or the elements. Plus, they have an excellent water source.
What does a family of stray kittens have to do with our study of Psalm 2?
Today we will focus on Psalm 2:7-9
The Reign of the Lord’s Anointed
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.” [1]
Take a moment to read the definitions of the following words.
- Anointed–to choose by or as if by divine election. (In Psalm 2:2)
- King–a male monarch of a major territorial unit; especially one whose position is hereditary and who rules for life. If capitalized, it refers to God or Christ. (In Psalm 2:6)
- Son–in human terms, a male offspring or male adopted child. If capitalized, it refers to the second person of the Trinity or Christ. (In Psalm 2:7)
Did you know the Hebrew word translated as Anointed in Psalm 2:2 is also translated as Messiah?
In Jewish understanding, the Messiah is the expected king and deliverer of the Jews.
For Christians, the Messiah is Jesus Christ, as revealed by His disciples in the New Testament writings.
How does this connect with Psalm 2:7-9?
Last week Where Do You Seek Refuge? – Part One Psalm 2 reviewed the Old Testament’s use of Psalm 2 as a coronation song for kings in the Davidic bloodline.
Today, we will see how Psalm 2 foreshadowed the Messiah of the New Testament.
First, review Psalm 2:7.
7 I will tell of the decree:
The Lord said to me, “You are my Son;
today I have begotten you. [2]
Read the following New Testament passages recorded about Jesus by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and the anonymous author of Hebrews.
At Jesus’ baptism.
17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.[3]
22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.[4]
11 And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.[5]
At Jesus’ Transfiguration.
5 He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.[6]
7 And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.”[7]
35 And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!” [8]
Second, consider a direct quote by Luke in the book of Acts as well as the anonymous author of the book of Hebrews.
32 And we bring you the good news that what God promised to the fathers, 33 this he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus, as also it is written in the second Psalm,
“ ‘You are my Son,
today I have begotten you.’ [9]
5 For to which of the angels did God ever say,
“You are my Son,
today I have begotten you”?
Or again,
“I will be to him a father,
and he shall be to me a son”? [10]
5 So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him,
“You are my Son,
today I have begotten you”; [11]
Describe the significance of Psalm 2 of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and the writer of Hebrews all sharing similar testimony confirming that Jesus is the Lord’s Son.
Review what the Lord decrees of the Anointed Son in verses Psalm 2:8-9.
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.” [12]
What is being promised to the Anointed Son?
Consider the Lord’s covenant made with David from 2 Samuel 7.
12 When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.[13]
How does this covenant with David align with Psalm 2:8-9 and foreshadow the Messiah in the New Testament?
Last, review passages regarding the reign of God’s Son found in Hebrews and Revelation.
Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.[14]
Reflection questions for Psalm 2:7-9.
What is your response to the description of Jesus foreshadowed in Psalm 2?
What is the advantage in trusting the Son of the Lord according to Psalm 2:7-9?
Do you consider Jesus the Messiah your refuge? Why or why not?
Heavenly Father, we thank you today for the amazing detail you provide us with the Old and New Testaments. Grow our faith in You and Your Son as our best safe refuge as seen in Psalm 2.
What does a family of stray kittens have to do with our study of Psalm 2?
The knowledge the Lord imparts to us through scripture is His special revelation.
We can also learn about the Lord through general revelation or observation of the natural world.
Watching a stray momma kitty find an ideal refuge to raise her little brood highlights to me the Lord’s provision for all that happens around us.
Our part is to tend to and care for the natural world, whether humans, animals, or plants, with an acknowledgment of Him as our ultimate refuge.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him. [15]
Blessings,
Barbara Lynn
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Share examples of things in nature that remind you of the Lord’s provision of refuge in the comment section after the footnotes.
[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ps 2:7–9.
[2] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ps 2:7.
[3] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Mt 3:17.
[4] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Lk 3:22.
[5] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Mk 1:11.
[6] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Mt 17:4–5.
[7] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Mk 9:7.
[8] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Lk 9:35.
[9] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ac 13:32–33.
[10] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Heb 1:5.
[11] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Heb 5:5.
[12] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ps 2:8–9.
[13] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 2 Sa 7:12–13.
[14] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Heb 1:1–2.
[15] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ps 2:12.