The Hebrew Hymnal

 

This week we are singing and being serenaded by the Psalms.  Lean in and slow read these words from Psalm 2:

 

You are wondering: What has provoked the nations to embrace anger and chaos?
    Why are the people making plans to pursue their own vacant and empty greatness?
Leaders of nations stand united;
    rulers put their heads together,
    plotting against the Eternal One and His Anointed King, trying to figure out
How they can throw off the gentle reign of God’s love,
    step out from under the restrictions of His claims to advance their own schemes.

At first, the Power of heaven laughs at their silliness.
    The Eternal mocks their ignorant selfishness.
But His laughter turns to rage, and He rebukes them.
    As God displays His righteous anger, they begin to know the meaning of fear. He says,
“I am the One who appointed My king who reigns from Zion, My mount of holiness.
    He is the one in charge.”

I am telling all of you the truth. I have heard the Eternal’s decree.
He said clearly to me, “You are My son.
    Today I have become your Father.
The nations shall be yours for the asking,
    and the entire earth will belong to you.
They are yours to crush with an iron scepter,
    yours to shatter like fragile, clay pots.”

So leaders, kings, and judges,
    be wise, and be warned.
There is only one God, the Eternal;
    worship Him with respect and awe;
    take delight in Him and tremble.
Bow down before God’s son.
    If you don’t, you will face His anger and retribution,
And you won’t stand a chance.
    For it doesn’t take long to kindle royal wrath,

But blessings await all who trust in Him.
    They will find God a gentle refuge.

 

I love how the Psalm starts off like the evening news, why do the nations embrace anger and chaos as the only way?  Why do so many around the world keep thinking war is the only way to peace?  I lament that the Psalms, which were written in the 5^th Century BC, can still be so true today.  The leaders today do plot against God gentle reign of love.  God continually shows us the way, but we have our own agendas that we are convinced are better.  And we don’t acknowledge the tension even as we keep lamenting that we are not arriving where we think we should.  This in turn leads to more anger and chaos; and the cycle repeats with dizzying predictability.  There is a raw honestly in the words above, because human actions do impact God, the Psalmist sings.  Our actions do impact God.  But God’s anger keeps calling humanity to live the image we are re-created in with the rising of the sun each morning.  I know this Psalm doesn’t exactly leave us feeling warm and fuzzy, but there is an heart-felted-ness for such a time as this.  Where do you find comfort in these words like a gentle refuge?  Where are the words above abrasive like sandpaper to your soul?  Both are true for me and both can be true in our life.  I pray God, who is our composer and conductor will move through the words above with a sweet melody today. Amen.