Refuge

We begin worship this morning with:

Psalm 2:11-12

Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

Twisted together in this single verse are fear, joy, affection, anger, blessing, vulnerability and protection.

The Psalm starts with the heart of man, which desires personal autonomy:

Psalm 2:2-3

The kings of the earth set themselves,

    and the rulers take counsel together,

    against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying,

“Let us burst their bonds apart

    and cast away their cords from us.” 

But God is sovereign and sets over them a King:

Psalm 2:5-6

Then he will speak to them in his wrath,

    and terrify them in his fury, saying,

“As for me, I have set my King

    on Zion, my holy hill.”

But not simply a King, he is the Messiah, in whom refuge is found:

Psalm 2:7

I will tell of the decree:

The Lord said to me, “You are my Son;

    today I have begotten you.

LORD, twist together in us today fear and joy for you love us.