Mensa Otabil - Why do the Nations Rage? (10/05/2025)
We’re starting a study of Psalm 2, the second psalm, and we’ll do a verse-by-verse study of it. So, we start with verse one: «Why do the nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing?» Psalm 2 is known as a royal psalm or a messianic psalm. It was used at the coronation of kings, especially those in the line of David. In the New Testament, it is quoted quite often in relation to Jesus Christ.
The psalm opens with two questions. The first is: «Why do the nations rage?» The second question is: «Why are the people plotting a vain thing?» Both questions address anger and rebellion against someone whom God is blessing, or someone whom God has anointed-the Lord’s anointed. In the face of God’s anointing, especially during the coronation of a king, there will always be people who are angry, enraged, plotting, and opposing what God is doing.
That is what the psalm addresses-when God has established His will, there are people who plan against it; they are enraged and very upset. Because this psalm is a messianic psalm, it points to Jesus Christ and also speaks about the Church of Jesus Christ and the believer. We can refer to this psalm in relation to three kinds of people: those who oppose Christ, including spiritual powers and their earthly collaborators, who are always anti-Christ; those who oppose the Church of Jesus Christ, including governmental and non-governmental power systems; and thirdly, those who oppose the Christian, including unbelievers and sometimes immature believers.
These are the people who rage. Our world strangely produces individuals who enter a frenzy, who go into a rage when God honors someone. They cannot accept God’s sovereignty, grace, or favor. In the passage, those who are enraged are called «the nations.» Other translations say «the heathen,» referring to those outside of Israel who are godless.
So, the «nations» or «heathen» refer to godless people. Godless people can be unbelievers; unfortunately, there are believers who can also be godless because they refuse to allow Christ to be the center of their lives. Instead, they let their own emotions and preferences drive them, and they become enraged when God blesses someone.
If you feel that people are raging against you or are angry that God has blessed you, it is likely that this psalm will resonate with you. If you are one of those people who is always enraged because someone is doing well, this psalm is for you too. I hope that by the time we are through with this psalm, we will sort ourselves out in the light of God’s Word. So, why do the heathen rage? We’ll find out more about this tomorrow and in the days to come. God is able to perfect His will even if people are angry because people’s anger cannot overtake God’s grace.
Let’s pray. Say with me: «Heavenly Father, thank You for making the plot of the violent useless. You are the rock of my defense. In Jesus' name, Amen.»
Yes, it’s a vain plot; they’re imagining vain things. God is able to protect His own. Pastor Mensa Otabil, shalom-peace and life to you.