How can a book that is thousands of years old have any relevance for modern life? Why do I have to do what the Bible says? Why can’t I just live like I want to?” That’s not just the attitude of human rulers, who are accustomed to having things their own way (Psalm 2:1-3). No, that’s what many modern Americans think, hard-core liberty junkies that we all are. And so our culture has been drifting away from Biblical norms, as fewer people study the Bible (Psalm 1:2) and as more and more scoff at the notion that the Scriptures should be our sufficient rule of faith and practice (Psalm 1:1).

Well, taken together, these Psalms give us many reasons for reverence for Christ and His Word. In the first place, we learn that He is the only-begotten Son of God (Psalm 2:7), and because of His obedience and righteousness He has been raised from the dead and given all authority in Heaven and on earth (Psalm 2:8; see also Matthew 28:18). As a result, Jesus rules over all the kings of the earth, in spite of any objections they might have to this arrangement (Psalm 2:9). As with any other king, His Word is law.

And how could His Father give Him this amount of control? Psalm 24 reminds us that everyone and everything in the world belongs to the God Who created it (Psalm 24:1). So of course God gets to decide what is right and wrong, and to determine who is worthy to be admitted to His presence (Psalm 24:3-5).

But Jesus isn’t the kind of king that gets His kicks from pushing people around. No, Psalm 23 reminds us that He is also our Good Shepherd, the One Who takes care of us no matter what trials or troubles we face (see also John 10:1-18).

And Psalm 22 illustrates just how far He was willing to go to demonstrate His love for us. Written 1000 years before Christ’s crucifixion, this psalm nevertheless describes Jesus’ agony in excruciating detail: “16 For dogs have surrounded me; A band of evildoers has encompassed me; They pierced my hands and my feet. 17 I can count all my bones. They look, they stare at me; 18 They divide my garments among them, And for my clothing they cast lots” (Psalm 22:16-18; see also John 19:23-24). In short, because of His self-sacrificial love for us, Jesus has earned our allegiance.

So, given that God created everyone and everything, and given Christ’s authority which was earned through His self-sacrificial love, the smart thing to do is to accept His free offer of pardon and welcome, purchased at the price of His own blood. Psalm 2:12 warns the kings of the earth to “Do homage to the Son,” and that’s good advice for all of us to take – before it’s too late (Psalm 2:9).

Psalm 2 (NASB)

Why are the nations in an uproar, And the peoples devising a vain thing?
2 The kings of the earth take their stand, And the rulers take counsel together Against the LORD and against His Anointed:
3 “Let us tear their fetters apart, And cast away their cords from us!”
4 He who sits in the heavens laughs, The Lord scoffs at them.
5 Then He will speak to them in His anger And terrify them in His fury:
6 “But as for Me, I have installed My King Upon Zion, My holy mountain.”
7 “I will surely tell of the decree of the LORD: He said to Me, ‘Thou art My Son, Today I have begotten Thee.
8 ‘Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Thine inheritance, And the very ends of the earth as Thy possession.
9 ‘Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron, Thou shalt shatter them like earthenware.'”
10 Now therefore, O kings, show discernment; Take warning, O judges of the earth.
11 Worship the LORD with reverence, And rejoice with trembling.
12 Do homage to the Son, lest He become angry, and you perish in the way, For His wrath may soon be kindled. How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!