1Why do the nations rage,
and the peoples plot a vain thing?
2The kings of the earth take a stand,
and the rulers take counsel together,
against Yahweh, and against his Anointed, saying,
3“Let’s break their bonds apart,
and cast their cords from us.”
4He who sits in the heavens will laugh.
The Lord will have them in derision.
5Then he will speak to them in his anger,
and terrify them in his wrath:
6“Yet I have set my King on my holy hill of Zion.”
7I will tell of the decree:
Yahweh said to me, “You are my son.
Today I have become your father.
8Ask of me, and I will give the nations for your inheritance,
the uttermost parts of the earth for your possession.
9You shall break them with a rod of iron.
You shall dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.”
10Now therefore be wise, you kings.
Be instructed, you judges of the earth.
11Serve Yahweh with fear,
and rejoice with trembling.
12Give sincere homage to the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish on the way,
for his wrath will soon be kindled.
Blessed are all those who take refuge in him.
Overcomers ruling with a “rod of iron” and shattering nations like “clay pots” alludes to Psalms 2:9. There, it is the Messiah ruling and smashing. His second statement that He had received this authority from His Father indicates that Jesus sees His coming as a fulfillment of that prophecy. And what He is offering here is the right to rule with Him and execute His punishments on nations that rebel.
The implication of this promise, with its caveat, is that not every Christian will rule with Jesus in His kingdom! Only overcomers. Only faithful and repentant believers.