Today we are going to read one of my favorite Psalms, Psalm 2:

1 Why do the nations rage,
And the people plot a vain thing?
2 The kings of the earth set themselves,
And the rulers take counsel together,
Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying,
3 “Let us break Their bonds in pieces
And cast away Their cords from us.”
4 He who sits in the heavens shall laugh;
The Lord shall hold them in derision.
5 Then He shall speak to them in His wrath,
And distress them in His deep displeasure:
6 “Yet I have set My King
On My holy hill of Zion.”
7 “I will declare the decree:
The Lord has said to Me,
‘You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.
8 Ask of Me, and I will give You
The nations for Your inheritance,
And the ends of the earth for Your possession.
9 You shall break them with a rod of iron;
You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel.’ ”
10 Now therefore, be wise, O kings;
Be instructed, you judges of the earth.
11 Serve the Lord with fear,
And rejoice with trembling.
12 Kiss the Son, lest He be angry,
And you perish in the way,
When His wrath is kindled but a little.
Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.

Using the Book of Common Prayer as a devotional guide means that you read through the Psalms regularly and consistently.  This is a great practice for us all, the Psalms should be an active part of our Scripture reading, for the Jewish people they were their hymnal.  They were the hymns they would sing on the way to Temple, they were the songs they would sing in worship. They were as constant in their life as Amazing Grace is in ours.  

What I love about the Psalms is that they speak honest emotion, sometimes joy, sometimes, praise, sometimes hurt.  I think that’s why it is important for us to read them and know them, they can help us ground our emotions and experiences in God.  

Today’s Psalm is one that I believe is really appropriate for us today.  It begins with this question, why do the nations rage?  This entire Psalm presents a world in uproar. The nations are raging, the world is in chaos. There is much swirling around that seems unsettling or worrying to us.  We feel toss to and fro.  

COVID.  Conflict.  Hard choices.  Pain.  Disaster.  Things seem so unsettled now, and honestly, it seems like it has been forever since they have been settled at all.  I think that’s why it is important for us to know and read this Psalm.  What does the Lord do in the midst of all this?  

He laughs.  He knows what it is to come.  He is God.  We can trust, even while the world is upside down. Even when the nations rage. Even when things seem awful.  

We can trust.  He is God. Be faithful. Worship His Son. Be faithful.  Love one another.  

But rest in His care.  Rest in His love.  Rest in His mercy. Rest in Him. 

In a world upside down, He is still God.  This Psalm today reminds us of that beautiful truth.  

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