Psalm 2 for July 4th
How to biblically love your nation.
Psalm 2:1-3
“Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against his Anointed…”
As Americans, this week we celebrate our liberty and freedom. We have so much to be thankful for. But with that gratitude should come reflection and discernment.
I believe there are two major errors Christians can fall into when it comes to our affections for our country. Right now, there seem to be two dominant moods among Americans.
On one side, there is often an open—sometimes subtle, sometimes overt—hatred of our nation. This often stems from our history of slavery, the treatment of indigenous peoples, or frustration with our current political system and founding documents. One thing I will say positively about this group is that many of them are just as willing to criticize their own political allies as they are the opposing side—though often their criticism is that their side isn’t extreme enough.
On the other side, there is a form of blind nationalism. This group believes we should love our country no matter what, treating certain aspects of our nation as sacred and beyond question. If I’m honest, more people in my circles tend to fall into this category. This doesn’t mean they never criticize politicians, but there’s often a lack of reflection that leaves them out of touch with the realities of the world around them.
What Does Scripture Say About Nations and Their Leaders?
Psalm 2 gives one of the clearest statements about the Lord’s relationship with the nations of this world. Written by David, but pointing forward to his promised descendant—the Messiah—it describes the nations, peoples, and kings raging, rebelling, and plotting against the Lord and His Anointed.
The term “nations” here isn’t limited to modern nation-states. It includes ethnic groups, tribal leaders, and governing authorities of all kinds. In missiological terms, we might say this includes “people groups.”
The overarching statement is clear: apart from the Kingdom of God, every nation and people group is, by nature, in rebellion against the Lord. At the time Psalm 2 was written, that Kingdom was visibly represented by Israel. But today, that Kingdom is made up of all who belong to Christ, from every nation, tribe, people, and language.
Is There a Nation Today Fully Submitting to the Lord?
Ultimately, no. No nation today submits perfectly to God.
As Americans, we can acknowledge that our nation was planted with many Christian ideas, but also deeply influenced by humanist Enlightenment thinking. Those seeds of freedom allowed the church in America to flourish, becoming one of the largest missionary-sending movements in history. We’ve seen revivals, produced some of the most significant theological literature, and provided countless people with access to the gospel.
But the weeds were always there too. Slavery was not rooted out for generations and led to the bloodiest conflict in our relatively short history. New evils have sprouted in their place: eugenics, abortion, discrimination, and the continued denial of full rights to some of our citizens. Our nation is, and always has been, in a constant spiritual battle.
In Acts 4:25-27, the early church quotes Psalm 2 in their prayer:
“Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his Anointed…”
They apply this not only to Pontius Pilate and the Roman Emperor but also to Herod, the Jewish leaders, and the Sanhedrin. Even the nation of Israel—God's chosen people—was not above raging against the Lord.
The same is true today. In 1917, the Balfour Declaration expressed British support for the establishment of a national home for the Jewish people in what was then Ottoman-controlled Palestine. That vision came to partial fulfillment in 1948, when the modern state of Israel was declared. While many see prophetic significance in these events, even modern Israel is not above criticism. Messianic Jews often face persecution. Evangelizing minors is heavily restricted. Abortion is completely legal and subsidized by the Israeli government. Pride parades are common and encouraged.
No nation—ancient or modern—is exempt from the warnings of Psalm 2.
How Should We Love Our Nation?
The author of Psalm 2 gives the answer:
Psalm 2:12
"Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him."
To love our nation rightly means to call her to submit to Christ. As individuals, we must submit everything including our love for our nation to our love for Christ.
As believers, we hold dual citizenship. We serve the One who has all authority in heaven and on earth. Through His resurrection, Jesus has been enthroned as King over all.
The authority we possess as citizens of Christ's Kingdom far outweighs any rights or responsibilities granted to us by earthly governments. Revelation points back to Psalm 2 when John writes:
Revelation 2:26-27
"The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces..."
We are destined to rule with Christ. But for now, we witness, we serve, and we call the nations—including our own—to bow the knee to King Jesus.
True love for our country means calling her to submit to Christ—because only in Him is true freedom found.