Why Do The Heathen Rage?

Text: Psa 2:1-3

• Intro:
  • Psalm 2 begins with the question, Why do the heathen rage? 
  • The answer is found in the first three verses of the chapter and then the next two verses show you God’s response to their rage. 
  • We are going to study the first three verses.
• This passage deals with the international opposition to God and the Lord Jesus Christ but spiritual application can be made to individuals, as well. 
• So, we will deal with the truths in this passage that pertain to both nations and individuals, alike.
• Why do the heathen rage?  The heathen rage because of their:

• Lack of the knowledge of God – Psa 2:1 – “heathen” –
  • No fear, no knowledge Prov 1:7; Rom 3:18 –
  • Paul blasphemed God in ignorance 1 Tim 1:13 –
  • The men who crucified Jesus didn’t know him 1 Cor 2:7-8 –
  • They may even profess that they know him when they don’t Titus 1:16 –
  • The only way they are going to know him is through believing the Bible.
• Vain imagination – Ps 2:1 – “imagine a vain thing” –
  • Vain imaginations darken the heart Rom 1:21 –
  • Their imaginations are vain because they are alienated from the life of God Eph 4:17-18 –
  • Their thoughts are contrary to the sound wisdom of God’s words.
• Ungodly associations – Ps 2:2 – “the kings of the earth set themselves” –
• They take counsel together but all the counselors are against God –
• This is a very simple truth –
• The nations who are against the God of the Bible will try to overthrow God and God’s people Dan 7:25; Dan 8:23-25.
• Foolish counsel – Ps 2:2 – “the rulers take counsel together” –
  • A companion of fools shall be destroyed Prov 13:20 –
  • There are those who walk in the counsel of the ungodly Ps 1:1 –
  • Because this counsel is contrary to the counsel of God it will not stand Prov 21:30 –
  • God’s counsel is found in a true belief of God’s words.
• Misunderstanding of liberty – Ps 2:3 – “bands… cords” –
  • Read and digest these verses Jas 1:25; John 8:32; Gal 5:1; 2 Cor 3:12 –
  • You don’t have liberty apart from God and apart from his laws which have been fulfilled in Jesus Christ Rom 10:4.
• Rebellion against God’s laws – Ps 2:3 – “break… cast away” –
  • They try to break the bands and cast away the cords –
  • They see the liberty of God as constraining; we know it to be liberating –
  • Thus they ensnare themselves in their own deception and rebellion against God 2 Pet 2:18-19 –
  • They aggressively oppose God and God’s people to the point of attempting to annihilate them.
• Conclusion:
  • The heathen rage because they are clueless about God, God’s word and God’s liberty –

All of this clears up in Jesus Christ and in the Bible if they will humble themselves and believe what God said.