Psalm 21Why do the nations conspire,
and the peoples plot in vain? 2The kings of the earth set themselves,
and the rulers take counsel together,
against the Lord and his anointed, saying, 3'Let us burst their bonds asunder,
and cast their cords from us.'4He who sits in the heavens laughs;
the Lord has them in derision. 5Then he will speak to them in his wrath,
and terrify them in his fury, saying, 6'I have set my king on Zion, my holy hill.'7I will tell of the decree of the Lord:
He said to me, 'You are my son;
today I have begotten you. 8Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage,
and the ends of the earth your possession. 9You shall break them with a rod of iron,
and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.' 10Now therefore, O kings, be wise;
be warned, O rulers of the earth. 11Serve the Lord with fear,
with trembling 12kiss his feet,
or he will be angry, and you will perish in the way;
for his wrath is quickly kindled. Happy are all who take refuge in him.
Who are the Lord's anointed? In a world where people claim to be the voice of God, it is hard to pick out the "real thing" from those who are merely impostors. Moreover, given the danger in hierarchical structures and the dangers with people claiming authority over others, it is hard to imagine a true "king" in the sense of an authority. We all want our own free choice and having a king erodes that.
Yet I think the answer lies not in the problem of freedom or translations. This psalm makes us think and causes us to act because we are the Lord's anointed. I don't think the hierarchy is difficult concept to understand. In fact, I think it is helpful to look at all Christians as Princes and Princesses.
Growing up, in nursery rhymes, the prince and the princess where people who were royalty from birth, and yet royalty in training. Think of this metaphor for our lives as Christians. In our baptism, even from our birth, we are God's beloved and chosen. However, we also know that we have a long way to go. Submission to the rules of the land, as it were, are not meant to restrict us but to live into everything that God has us to be. In fact, to rise into the role of king, we must know the law. Our hearts and minds should ascent to the ways of God. There is more potential when God calls us up from where we are.
Yes, this Psalm was presumably written by a king. But it is a remembering of God's gracious works in that king's life. As you pray this psalm this day, may you find ways in which God calls you in your life to love and serve God almighty.
Prayer: Why do the nations conspire, and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against theLord and his anointed, saying, 'Let us burst their bonds asunder, and cast their cords from us.' He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord has them in derision. Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying, 'I have set my king on Zion, my holy hill.' I will tell of the decree of theLord: He said to me, 'You are my son; today I have begotten you. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron, and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.' Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear with trembling kiss his feet, or he will be angry, and you will perish in the way; for his wrath is quickly kindled. Happy are all who take refuge in him. Amen.
G. Thomas Martin
