The first question we ask ourselves as we read this Psalm is: 'Is there any word of grace in this Psalm?' How terrifying! We see the rebellious nature of man displayed in the uproar of the nations. The world wants to go its own way, as Cain went his own way 'out of the presence of the Lord', Gen 4.16! The nations will not bow down before Christ the King, God's Son, God's Anointed.
God has made a decree: 'I have installed My King upon Zion, My holy mountain.' He is the unchanging God. Jesus Christ is King. He has been given the nations as His inheritance. The Meek shall inherit the earth.
And He is going to put down this rebellion with a mighty hand. Break them, shatter them - how strong is the language here! How terrible is God's wrath and judgment!
But this is the gospel of the Messiah. He is not only Saviour, He is Lord. He is not only the God of grace, but also the God of justice and judgment. Therefore 'Worship the Lord with reverence and rejoice with trembling.' How can we reconcile this statement with what modern evangelists have been saying? How can we reconcile the God of heaven with a God who has created hell?
Because He is the eternal and immutable God. He is the Most High and Holy God. We must bow before the King. May God grant us a vision of the majesty and glory of Jesus Christ our Lord and King! How else can we worship Him? How else can we bow down before Him? We who are so prone to reducing God to our own puny level, to making a travesty of the One seated on the Throne by reducing Him to a babe in a manger, by creating a false sentimental Christ - we need this shock treatment! It is by knowing the terrors of the law that we can understand the value of mercy and grace.
How blessed are all who take refuge in Him! The cross takes on a new meaning after reading this Psalm.
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