Psalm 2 – Why?
Psalm 2 begins with the word, why – “Why do the nations conspire, and the peoples plot in vain?” A good question, one that is relevant today. Why, indeed. The Psalms pose many questions to us. Let’s look at Psalm 2 – why?
Psalm 2 – The Messiah
As I’ve been reflecting on this Psalm, especially the opening line, the line from Handel’s Messiah has been flowing through my brain. One of my favorite Advent activities is to listen to Handel’s Messiah. I love the music and the passages from Scripture, but, like many, I tend to focus on the first part that pertains to the birth of Christ and the major choruses, “For Unto Us a Child Is Born,” “The Glory of the Lord,” and the “Hallelujah Chorus.” I sang each of these in high school choir and continue to love the music.
The Scripture passages were chosen by Charles Jennens and put to music by Handel. I was surprised to find that not only was this line from Psalm 2 included, but verses 2, 3, 4, and 9, are also included in Part 2 of the work. I found myself wondering why, out of all of the possible Scripture passages, Psalm 2 was included. Perhaps it has something to do with the messianic aspect of the psalm.
Why? Asking Questions
There is a point in a child’s development, usually around six years, that the child begins to ask, “why?”
“Why is the sky blue? Why is the grass green?”
Why, why, why? You answer their question, and they pose another one until you are exasperated. Even the most patient can lose it after such persistent questioning. It’s all part of their growth process as their minds develop.
Asking questions of God is part of spiritual growth. Why do good people suffer? Why is there so much evil in the world? Why are children abused, families torn apart by tragedies, communities destroyed by wars or natural disasters? We may question, is God good? Then how could a good God allow so much suffering? Or where was God when that child was abused or abandoned? So many questions.
Does God get impatient with all of our questions?
Why in the Psalms
Psalm 2:1 is an especially pertinent question. Why do nations conspire, and people plot in vain? Why are people today so fond of conspiracy theories? Why do nations continue to go to war when it is contrary to God’s plan? Why are we so foolish? All good questions.
Other passages in the Psalms with why questions are:
“Why, O Lord, do you stand far off?” 10:1
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” 22:1
“Why are you cast down, O my soul?” 42:5
“Why should the nations say, ‘Where is their God?’ 79:10
They are all part of the early Hebrew community’s search for God, to understand God. We repeat those questions in our spiritual journey when we ask: Why does God seem so far away? Why has God abandoned me? Why do I feel so down and depressed? And finally, where is God?
Psalm 2 – Why
When I first wrote about this psalm, I chose to focus on the passage about God looking on and laughing at the antics of the people. “He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord has them in derision.” (4) But this time I couldn’t avoid God’s anger. “Then he will speak to them in his wrath and terrify them in his fury.” Wow. I don’t like to deal with God’s anger. I’ve spent a lot of time trying to focus on God’s love, God’s mercy and kindness. Too many have been frightened away from God by talking about God’s anger and shaming people. This is not the God that I know.
But there is no denying God’s anger in this psalm and elsewhere in Scripture. It can’t be ignored. Why is God angry? What causes God’s anger? Is God’s anger like human anger? God is asking questions as well, “Why do my people continue to resist my love?”
As mentioned, there is a messianic aspect to Psalm 2. The psalm speaks of a king, God’s anointed. (for more on this aspect of Psalm 2, see Psalm 2 – The One True King) The people have rejected the king, God’s anointed, just as later they reject Jesus. Reason for frustration and anger. God tries. Over and over again the people go astray, yet God never gives up on them. He even sends his own son, who is rejected. All good reasons to ask, why!!!
Helpless is not the same as Hopeless
When we look at the world, the war in Ukraine, the war and destruction in Gaza, threats from China and North Korea, it can be easy to throw up our hands and ask why? While it is good to ask questions, there is a point where the questioning needs to stop. No, God doesn’t get impatient with our questions, but sometimes we just have to let go of the need to know why, to find answers.
Therein lies true wisdom. Thus is the way of the dark night. As Gerald May tells us in his book, The Dark Night of the Soul, the dark night experience can lead us to recognize how little we know and to be okay with that.
When I look at all of the negativity in the world, fear of global warming, people starving, women and children thrown into slavery through human trafficking, all of the bad news, I feel helpless. But feeling helpless doesn’t mean I am hopeless. Sometimes I just sit in hope. Hope. Not attached to any outcome, just hope.
Advent is the season of hope. Psalm 2 reminds us that our hope truly is in our God, in Jesus the Messiah, the true king. The answer to all questions – God.
What Are Your Questions?
What questions are you asking today? How are they leading you to God? Post them below. I would love to hear from you!
This post is part of a series of blog posts on the Psalms. Sign up to follow this blog and receive a free copy of Still Dancing, the second book in my Dancing through Life Series. click here to sign up
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