Why do people rage against God?

In Psalm 2, the nations and their rulers conspire against the Lord — a rebellion as old as the human heart. In this study, Dr. Toby Holt unpacks this psalm’s picture of human defiance and God’s enthroned King.

The kings of the earth plot to throw off God’s rule, but God in heaven is unmoved. Dr. Holt explains that Psalm 2 is a Messianic psalm pointing to Christ, God’s appointed King, who will one day rule the nations. For now, God shows patience toward rebels, calling them to “kiss the Son” — to submit to Christ — before judgment comes. The psalm ends with a promise: “Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.”

Questions this study answers:

1. Why does God “laugh” at earthly rulers? Because their rebellion against the Almighty is futile. Nothing they plot can shake His throne.

2. How is this psalm both political and prophetic? It speaks to real rulers who oppose God, and it points ahead to Christ, the King God has installed over all nations.

3. How should we respond to God’s King? By trusting and submitting to the Son rather than resisting Him. Those who take refuge in Him are blessed, not condemned.

“Why do the nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing?” — Psalm 2:1 (NKJV)

Speaker: Dr. Toby Holt is the President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, a Reformed seminary in Colorado Springs. He is known for clear, down-to-earth Bible teaching, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio.

Listen and go deeper: This sermon is part of the Psalms Explained study from New Geneva Theological Seminary. Find more verse-by-verse teaching across the Bible at newgeneva.org. To support this teaching ministry, visit newgeneva.org/give.