User:Exfilia/What the Bible Says/Psalms/Psalm2

CUSTODIANS: Please don't move this yet. I want to build up a substantial volume of work before I go "live;" I don't want this project to be one of those with nine million red resources and one or two blue ones.

Directions
Read Psalm 2 in your preferred translation and in the King James Version. What differences do you find? How do they affect the passage's meaning?

If there are words in the passage that you're not familiar with, look them up now in Wiktionary or your dictionary of choice.

The Quiz
To test your understanding, complete the following texts based on the KJV version of Psalm 2. Yes, this is an open Book quiz.

{ The powers of this world Why do the heathen { rage }, and the { people } imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth { set themselves }, and the rulers take counsel together, against { the LORD }, and against { his anointed }, saying, Let us { break their bands asunder }, and cast away { their cords } from us.
 * type="{}"}

{ The power of God Thou shalt { break } them with a { rod of iron }; thou shalt { dash them in pieces } like a potter's vessel.
 * type="{}"}

{ The King
 * type="{}"}

Yet have I set my king upon { my holy hill of Zion }. I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, { Thou art my Son }; this day have I { begotten } thee. Ask of me, and I shall give thee { the heathen } for thine inheritance, and { the uttermost parts of the earth } for thy possession.

{ The advice
 * type="{}"}

Be wise now therefore, O ye { kings }: be instructed, ye { judges of the earth }. Serve { the LORD } with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss { the Son }, lest he { be angry }, and ye { perish } from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that { put their trust in him }.

Discussion questions

 * 1) Who do you think is the speaker in this psalm, as opposed to the author?
 * 2) In the psalm, what circumstances might the speaker and his audience be facing?
 * 3) Whom exactly do you think the speaker means to address?  How about the author?
 * 4) Describe the progression of imagery in the psalm.

Optional Activities
Won't change much from passage to passage
 * 1) What other passages of scripture reference this one?  What passages does this one reference?
 * 2) Research the effect this passage has had on the thought of one or more theologians.
 * 3) Research ways in which this passage has been used in art, music and literature.
 * 4) Research the ways in which this passage has been or might be used in your congregation's worship.
 * 5) Create an original work of art based on this passage.
 * 6) Design a way to use this passage in your personal devotions.
 * 7) Design a way to teach this passage to preliterate children: a skit, a feltboard presentation,a game, a craft activity, whatever.
 * 8) Design a way to use this passage to address the needs of some specific population: nursing home residents, grief support group, etc.
 * 9) Memory verse: choose the verse from this passage that seems most significant to you, and commit it to memory together with its chapter and verse reference.  For example, "Romans 13:1--Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God."