Yahweh’s Response to Corrupt Kings in Psalm 2
3/2/202655 min
Psalms 1 & 2 E2 — Psalm 2 presents a crisis perpetuated by a long line of corrupt empires in the ancient Near East. Every one of these empires makes a practice of conquering, murdering, raping, and pillaging across the known world, while ancient Israel is just one small nation conquered and occupied again and again. So how do Yahweh and his anointed king respond to this injustice? Surprisingly, a lot like how the evil imperial rulers do: with mocking laughter, hot anger, and by smashing them like pottery! But why? In this episode, Jon and Tim explore Psalm 2 as a minority report from an oppressed, ancient people group and an intentionally provocative portrait of God within the broader context of the Hebrew Bible.
FULL SHOW NOTES
For chapter-by-chapter summaries, biblical words, referenced Scriptures, and reflection questions, check out the full show notes for this episode.
CHAPTERS
- Why Do the Nations Rage? (0:00-22:47)
- Yahweh’s Laughter and Decree (22:47-39:28)
- A Warning for the Kings (39:28-55:26)
REFERENCED RESOURCES
- Check out Tim’s extensive collection of recommended books here.
SHOW MUSIC
- “Pivot” by Styles Davis & Venuz Beats
- “Hypha” by invention_
- BibleProject theme song by TENTS
SHOW CREDITS
Production of today’s episode is by Lindsey Ponder, producer, and Cooper Peltz, managing producer. Tyler Bailey is our supervising engineer, who also edited today’s episode and provided the sound design and mix. JB Witty writes the show notes. Our host and creative director is Jon Collins, and our lead scholar is Tim Mackie.
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Clips
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsJohn Collins· Host0:00
[upbeat music] Welcome to BibleProject Podcast. We're in a short series on Psalm 1 and 2. And today, Psalm 2 is up. We call it Psalm 2, but in early Jewish tradition it was known by its opening words.
Tim Mackie· Host0:17
"Lama ragshu," which is, "Why do they rage?" Who's raging, and for what reason, and against what? Let's find out.
John Collins· Host0:25
It turns out this is the nations raging. That is, the ancient warrior kings building their ancient empires, like Assyria, Babylon, and Persia. But what does it mean to rage?
Tim Mackie· Host0:37
We know what the nations do. The nations organize the military industrial complex, they conquer territory that doesn't belong to them, they rape and they pillage, and they take all our stuff, and then they leave a heavy tax burden behind for the people that are still alive.
John Collins· Host0:51
And while the ancient rulers seem to be winning, Psalm 2 tells us of a true king who's really in charge, a figure God calls His son.
Tim Mackie· Host1:01
Yahweh's the ultimate ruler of heaven and Earth, and all of these kings down here on the land who are spreading violence and thinking that they're gods are, in fact, the rebels.
John Collins· Host1:12
Now, Psalm 2 is intense. God laughs at the kings from His heavenly throne. He terrifies them with His hot anger. He breaks them with a rod of iron.
Tim Mackie· Host1:22
The description of Yahweh as laughter, and mocking, and as anger is actually borrowing from the world of language and rhetoric