Psalm 2 begins with a question, “Why do the heathen rage and the people imagine a vain thing?” A heathen was considered a gentile or a pagan, those outside of the faith. The other nations that would constantly come against God’s people. It was a battle of righteousness versus wickedness; land and territory for freedom that has continued through the ages.
What does raging mean here? It is to be restless, in a tumult, a rebellious conspiracy. The raging brings about vain imagining….moaning, meditating in thoughtful deliberation. There is right way to meditate. David talked about mediating throughout the book of Psalms especially in psalm 119. It means to muse, consider, think on, declare and to pray. “My hands I will lift up to Your commandments, which I love, and I will meditate on Your statutes.” What you fill your mind with matters. Musing on evil will alway bring unrest; while mediating on the word of God brings peace in the storm.
Vain thinking distorts our mind and brings emptiness into our lives. What should be a godly purpose, becomes a raging rebellion that consumes a tumultuous mind having the end goal of removing the righteous, and setting themselves in the place of power. There is a right way to power and position, and when it is ill gotten it will become unjust and authoritative.
The Bible tells us that “where there is no counsel, the people fail; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.” Proverbs 11:14 Leaders that are for the people will surround themselves with wise counsel. Their goal is not to dictate, nor is it to elevate themselves, but rather to ensure a peace and safety among it’s people. While we know that true peace is in knowing the Prince of Peace, we are to live as peaceably as we can on this earth. Romans 12:17-18 “Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceable with all men.”
While the current events continue to unveil themselves around us, and we hear the raging tumults…remember the words of David, “For I have heard the slander of many; fear was on every side: while they took counsel together against me, they devised to take my life. But I trusted in You, O LORD: I said, Thou art my God.” Psalm 31:13