The King on Zion
In this Psalm, we are given a portrait of two different types of king. First, we have the kings of the earth. They lead raging nations who plot together in futile pursuits. They take counsel together against the Lord and against his Messiah and ask how they can throw off his rule - how they can break from his constraints and live by their own. This is characteristic of every government that you know. From the Pharaohs to the Herods to the Caesars - and the modern governments and nation-states that exist today. Don't be surprised when the political entities around you are chaotically raging; this is what they do by nature. But also don't put your hope or trust in them either! They set themselves against the Lord and his Messiah.
On the other hand, Psalm 2 holds out for us another king. The Lord laughs and ridicules these petty puppet kings of the earth because He has installed his King on Zion. He has declared to his King, "You are my Son. And I will make the nations your inheritance and the ends of the earth your possession." This Psalm was true of David - the Anointed king of Israel who the Lord has adopted like a Father. The Lord made a covenant with David that should he walk in the statutes of the Lord (like we talked about last week - delighting in his Law) and not take counsel with the kings of the earth against the Lord, then he would make his kingdom forever. This Psalm is ultimately true of David's heir, Jesus - who is the Son, the Christ (the Lord's Anointed). He has been given the nations as his inheritance and the earth as his possession.
The final instruction is now to the kings of the earth - those all those for whom a measure of authority has been apportioned here and now. Be wise. Don't take your stand against the Lord's King, but receive instruction! Don't look to throw off his bonds; serve him with reverential awe, and rejoice with trembling. You rulers on the earth have two options: stage a rebellion like the kings of the earth usually do and perish in the rebllion - or - pay homage to the Son. Rule under his rule. To the ones who do this, they will be happy. So in these first two Psalms, we have been told two things that lead to happiness - to a blessed life: delighting in his Law and taking refuge in his King.