The Lord’s Anointed

“I will install my king on Zion, my holy mountain. I will proclaim the Lord’s decree: He said to me, ‘You are my Son; today I have become your Father.’” Psalm 2:7

The second Psalm describes a coronation ceremony. Such ceremonies are the norm in many Monarchies, but this is different because the king that is crowned here is the Lord’s King. In fact, the Psalmist tells us that this King will inherit the nations and possess the ends of the earth (verse 8); He is not just any king, but the King of kings, whose dominion will be universal.

Who is this King? On the surface, the Psalm is talking about King David, who was anointed by the Lord to rule over God’s people. Under his reign, Israel prospered as her enemies were subdued and her borders extended. God’s anointed King thus ruled over a glorious kingdom of justice, peace and prosperity. However, David and His Kingdom were merely shadows of a far greater King, and a far greater Kingdom, that were still to come, and the New Testament writers reveal that this Psalm finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ.

Although he was rejected and crucified by men, God raised from the dead and exalted Him to the highest place, crowning Him as Lord and Ruler over all (Acts 4:2528; Philippians 2:5-11), and as people all over the world hear the gospel and bow to His Lordship He is receiving the nations as His inheritance. Although His Kingdom and glory are veiled, for many continue to defy His rule, the Bible promises that this King will one day return in glory to bring His Kingdom in all its fullness. On that day, those who rebel against him will be defeated: every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

The Psalmist thus encourages us to do the wise thing: acknowledge Christ as King, bow to His Lordship, submit to His gracious rule and find your refuge in Him. Indeed, there is no greater blessing and privilege than to belong to Christ’s Kingdom. Bryan Marx Grahamstown Baptist Church