by Greg Kenyon, updated January 15, 2026
Psalm 2 is the second introductory psalm of The Psalter. It is interesting Psalm 1 begins with blessed is the man. and Psalm 2 ends with blessed are those. Commentators say some manuscripts of the Psalms placed Psalm 1 and Psalm 2 as one unit. This may throw light on how Psalm 2 should be taken .(Boice) Psalm 2 continues to look at the way of the ungodly and the righteous man.
Psalm 1 begins by describing THE blessed man, who can be none other than Jesus. For Indeed, it is only in the Messiah (In Christ) we can hope to walk in the way of the blessed. Blessed is the man who walks not, stands not, sits not in the ways of the ungodly. Psalm 2 ends saying blessedness comes to all who trust in Him, THE Anointed Messiah. How can this be so for us who fail the test of the Blessed Man described in Psalm One? Such blessedness comes to all those who trust in the Anointed One, the only man who was able, of Himself, to go the way of the blessed. Blessedness at the end of Psalm 2 involves trusting in, like being in Christ, the Blessed One. Of the Blessed One, Philippians 2:7-8 teaches, He humbled Himself, taking on human flesh, became a man, and in spite of all the challenges and temptations of living in this sin filled world, lived a perfect life before the face of the Father, and meditated on His Word day and night, earning the right to be the Messiah, The Man, who saved His people from their sin, taking them from the way of and from perishing with the wicked, and instead giving them, and joining them to, His righteousness, so that they can trust in Him.
After reading Psalm one which contrasts those who are blessed and the ungodly, who, unlike the blessed, are like chaff, and will not stand in judgement or with the congregation of the righteous, and finishes while the Lord knows the way of the righteous, “the way of the ungodly shall perish, one may read Psalm 2 as a continued indictment of the ungodly, and indeed it is. But, as those with ears to hear and eyes to see will see, this indictment also leads to a most merciful encouragement for the ungodly, as Ezekiel writes to rebellious Israel,
Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin. Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies,’ says the LORD God. ‘Therefor turn and live!’” (Eze 18:30-32, NKJV)
Those who turn and trust and obey Him, the Lord, are all blessed.
This condition “those who trust in Him,” in Psalm 2: found in most English translations of Psalm 2:12, can leave us with the distress found when one meditates in truth on Psalm 1:1, and admites that they fail walk, stand, and sit as the truly blessed, with no real hope. Yes, the heart action of “trusting” may seem softer and more do able than the outward actions of walking, standing and sitting. But what if I fail to trust? Oh where is the certainty of hope?
In the Hebrew, the Messiah’s grand conclusion, at the end of Psalm 2, does not include this condition. Instead, it is stated as the object of or state of being of the blessed ones. They trust in him. The Apostle Paul understands this grand conclusion saying in the letter to the Ephesians, “by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9) The blessed trust in the Messiah.
II – The First Stanza – Rage against the Messiah – Psalm 2:1-3
III – The Second Stanza – The Lord’s Response – Psalm 2:4-6
IV – The Third Stanza – The King of kings Responds – Ps 2:7-9