The Kiss Of Homage
The Pulpit Commentary Homiletics - Psalm 2:12

“Kiss the Son,” etc. That is, the Son of God, spoken of in ver. 7. Our Saviour loved to call himself “Son of man,” but he did not shrink from using also this name for which the Jews accused him of blasphemy (Matthew 11:27; John 9:35; 10:36; 19:7). The kiss of friendly greeting, still the ordinary custom in many countries, is referred to in innumerable passages of Scripture. Else the traitor Judas had not dared so to crown his treachery. Jesus noted the neglect of the kiss of hospitality (Luke 7:45); did not disdain the kisses showered on his feet by the weeping penitent. But the text speaks, not of any of these, but of the kiss of homage or worship.

I. THE SUMMONS. “Kiss the Son”‘ Kings and judges of the earth (cf. Psalm 148:11) are summoned to do homage to “the Son” as “Head over all” (Luke 5:6). “Serve the Lord ‘ (ver. 11) implies this homage. Why rulers? As representing the nations (vers. 1, 2). Civil power is God’s ordinance (Romans 13:1, etc.). Otherwise neither despots nor democracies could have any right to make and execute laws (though they may have power). Christ’s kingdom is not a kingdom of this world; but he is the Ruler of nations as well as individuals (Psalm 22:28). Till this is practically acknowledged — the whole of human life, public and private, rendered obedient to Christ’s law — the nations cannot be “blessed in him” (Galatians 3:8; Revelation 11:15).

II. THE WARNING. “Lest he be angry.” The compassion, gentleness, tenderness of Jesus, are sometimes dwelt on to the exclusion of his majesty and righteousness (but see <402444>Matthew 24:44, 50, 51; 25:31, etc.; Luke 19:27). There is no more tremendous phrase in Scripture than” the wrath of the Lamb” (Revelation 6:16).

III. THE DOOM OF THE DISOBEDIENT. “Perish from the way.” What way? The way of salvation — of God; of truth; of holiness; of peace; of life (Acts 16:17; Matthew 22:16; 2 Peter 2:2, 21; Isaiah 35:8; Luke 1:79; Matthew 7:14; Proverbs 15:24). The most fearful punishment of sin is incapacity for holiness — spiritual death (Revelation 22:11). “Lest” is the awful shadow over the future, if you are rejecting Christ. “Now” is the sunshine on the path of faith and repentance (2 Corinthians 6:2; 5:20).