Daily Psalms Challenge – Page 5

“Let Earth Receive Her King” from Psalm 2 (#dailyPSALMSchallenge)

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

⁷I will tell of the decree: The LORD said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you.
Psalm 2:6-7

Psalm 2 reminds me of the line in the hymn “Joy to the World”: “Let Earth receive her king”. This psalm proclaims the reign of God’s anointed King, Jesus, who is set over all creation. Though the nations rebel, Psalm 2 reveals that true peace and joy come only by receiving and submitting to this King. His authority is certain, and His rule is good.

The Rebellion of the Nations

Psalm 2 begins with the nations raging and plotting in vain against God and His Anointed (vv. 1-3). In their pride, they reject God’s authority by choosing to skewing it as oppressive and restrictive, yet their rebellion reflects the condition of sinful humanity — desiring to rule ourselves rather than submitting to our Creator and King.

God’s Response

God does not respond in fear or by some kneejerk reaction but with laughter (v. 4). He clearly declares His plan: “I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill” (v. 6). This King, the Son of God, has been appointed to rule all nations. How? Well, as God created everything and appoints the rise and fall of nations, it is His divine prerogative! The New Testament affirms that this King is Jesus, the Messiah — the Christ — who was divinely declared to be this Son at His baptism and resurrection (Matthew 3:17, Acts 13:33).

God’s plan is unshakable. The King of kings is enthroned. His reign is certain.

The Universal Reign of the King

God promises His Anointed authority over all nations, to the ends of the earth (v. 8). He will bring justice and restore order, breaking down opposition like shattering pottery (v. 9). His rule is both powerful and righteous, ensuring that evil will not (and cannot) prevail.

A Call to Submission and Joy

The call for earth is clear: receive your rightful King and rejoice in His rule. This is seen in the way Psalm 2 closes with a warning and an invitation: “Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son” (vv. 11-12). To “kiss the Son” is to honor Him, recognizing His authority and submitting to His reign. Though His wrath and power are real, His invitation is filled with grace and “blessed are all who take refuge in Him” (v. 12). True joy is not found in rebellion but in embracing Jesus as King — as Lord (Romans 10:9).

Seeing Jesus in Psalm 2

Psalm 2 make this pretty clear and explicit. Jesus is the King.

Reflection

Psalm 2 calls us to reflect on whether we will receive or resist Jesus. The nations rage, but we are invited to rejoice under His rule. To receive Him is to put our faith, hope, and trust in Him, finding refuge and joy.

Let earth — and each of us — receive the King.

The #dailyPSALMSchallenge gives us the opportunity to start 2025 in God’s Word by digging into a psalm a day. Each day will identify a key passage for us to meditate on as well as seeking to help us see Jesus in the psalm and reflect on what we have read.

Won’t you take the challenge?

“The Way of the Righteous and the Wicked” from Psalm 1 (#dailyPSALMSchallenge)

¹Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; ²but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night. ³He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither.
Psalm 1:1-3

Psalm 1 opens the Psalter with a clear choice. There are two ways to live, and both have a drastically different outcome — the way of righteousness that leads to life, those who love God and His Word, and the way of the wicked, those who reject God. Today, we will consider where we’re rooted and what way we are walking in.

The Blessed Life

The psalmist describes the “blessed” man as one who refuses to follow sinful influences. He avoids walking with the wicked, standing with sinners, or sitting with scoffers (v. 1). This isn’t just about avoiding outward sin but about not letting anything other than God shape our lives.

Instead, the “blessed” delights in God’s law and meditates on it day and night (v. 2). “Delight” here suggests joy and deep satisfaction. God’s Word isn’t a burden for the “blessed” but a treasure. When we spend time in Scripture and meditate on it — focusing on the God of the Word, it shapes our hearts and brings us closer to Him.

This life is compared to a tree planted by streams of water (v. 3), well-watered and thriving, bearing fruit and standing firm even in harsh conditions. This “blessed” life is nourished by God’s Word, producing fruit and remaining steadfast through difficulties and trials.

The Peril of the Wicked

In contrast to the tree, the “wicked” are described as chaff — weightless and useless, blown away by wind (v. 4). Their lives lack purpose and stability. They won’t be able to stand in the judgment or belong in the assembly of the righteous (v. 5). The path of the wicked ultimately leads to destruction.

Seeing Jesus in Psalm 1

Ultimately, Jesus is the only One who is truly righteous and perfectly matches the “blessed” man described in Psalm 1. He lived a sinless life, delighted fully in the Word, and bore eternal fruit through His life, death, and resurrection. The only way for us to be counted as righteous is through faith in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21). The only way for us to live the “blessed” life described here is to be filled and empowered by His Spirit.

Reflection

Psalm 1 challenges us to examine where we are headed and in what we find our delight. Ask yourself: are you rooted in God’s Word, drawing life and sustenance from Him and His Word, or is your delight in the futile, fleeting things of the world?

We are called in Psalm 1 to meditate on Scripture, finding nourishment in Christ, the perfect and righteous One. May we find ourselves rooted in His living water, equipped to flourish and bear fruit.

Won’t you take the challenge?