Psalms2
New King James Version
1 Why do the nations rage, And the people plot a vain thing?
2 The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying,
3 “Let us break Their bonds in pieces And cast away Their cords from us.”
4 He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The Lord shall hold them in derision.
5 Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, And distress them in His deep displeasure:
6 “Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion.”
7 “I will declare the decree: The Lord has said to Me, ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.
8 Ask of Me, and I will give You The nations for Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth for Your possession.
9 You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel.’ ”
10 Now therefore, be wise, O kings; Be instructed, you judges of the earth.
11 Serve the Lord with fear, And rejoice with trembling.
12 Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, And you perish in the way, When His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.
Study
Psalms 2Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Psalms 2. The full AI study guide (summary, themes, context) has its own page.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Threatenings against the enemies of Christ's kingdom. (1–6). Promise to Christ as the Head of this kingdom. (7–9). Counsel to all, to espouse its interests. (10–12).
vv1-6
We are here told who would appear as adversaries to Christ. As this world is the kingdom of Satan, unconverted men, of every rank, party, and character, are stirred up by him to oppose the cause of God. But the rulers of the earth generally have been most active. The truths and precepts of Christianity are against ambitious projects and worldly lusts. We are told what they aim at in this opposition. They would break asunder the bands of conscience, and the cords of God's commandments; they will not receive, but cast them away as far as they can. These enemies can show no good cause for opposing so just and holy a government, which, if received by all, would bring a heaven upon earth. They can hope for no success in so opposing so powerful a kingdom. The Lord Jesus has all power both in heaven and in earth, and is Head over all things to the church, notwithstanding the restless endeavours of his enemies. Christ's throne is set up in his church, that is, in the hearts of all believers.
vv7-9
The kingdom of the Messiah is founded upon an eternal decree of God the Father. This our Lord Jesus often referred to, as what he governed himself by. God hath said unto him, Thou art my Son, and it becomes each of us to say to him, Thou art my Lord, my Sovereign'. The Son, in asking the heathen for his inheritance, desires their happiness in him; so that he pleads for them, ever lives to do so, and is able to save to the uttermost, and he shall have multitudes of willing, loyal subjects, among them. Christians are the possession of the Lord Jesus; they are to him for a name and a praise. God the Father gives them to him, when, by his Spirit and grace, he works upon them to submit to the Lord Jesus.
vv10-12
Whatever we rejoice in, in this world, it must always be with trembling, because of the uncertainty of all things in it. To welcome Jesus Christ, and to submit to him, is our wisdom and interest. Let him be very dear and precious; love him above all, love him in sincerity, love him much, as she did, to whom much was forgiven, and, in token of it, kissed his feet, Lu 7:38. And with a kiss of loyalty take this yoke upon you, and give up yourselves to be governed by his laws, disposed of by his providence, and entirely devoted to his cause. Unbelief is a sin against the remedy. It will be utter destruction to yourselves; lest ye perish in the way of your sins, and from the way of your vain hopes; lest your way perish, lest you prove to have missed the way of happiness. Christ is the way; take heed lest ye be cut off from Him as your way to God. They thought themselves in the way; but neglecting Christ, they perish from it. Blessed will those be in the day of wrath, who, by trusting in Christ, have made him their Refuge.
Key Words
מָה: properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and even relatively, that which); often used with prefixes in various adverbial or conjunctive senses
גּוֹי: a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
רָגַשׁ: to be tumultuous
לְאֹם: a community
הָגָה: to murmur (in pleasure or anger); by implication, to ponder
רִיק: emptiness; figuratively, a worthless thing; adverbially, in vain
מֶלֶךְ: a king
אֶרֶץ: the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
יָצַב: to place (any thing so as to stay); reflexively, to station, offer, continue
רָזַן: probably to be heavy, i.e. (figuratively) honorable
Cross References
Psalms 2Explicitly quotes Psalm 2:1, attributing the authorship to David through the Holy Spirit.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Identifies Herod, Pilate, the Gentiles, and Israel as fulfilling the conspiracy against God's Anointed.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
Applies 'this day have I begotten thee' to the resurrection and inauguration of Jesus Christ.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Uses the divine declaration of Sonship to prove Christ's supreme superiority over angels.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Connects Christ's divine Sonship with His appointment to the eternal Melchizedekian high priesthood.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Quotes the promise of ruling nations with a rod of iron and breaking them like pottery.
Supported by JFB
Depicts Christ returning to smite the rebellious nations and rule them with a rod of iron.
Supported by JFB
Herod and Pilate take counsel and form an alliance, exemplifying rulers setting themselves against Christ.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Parallels Christ being declared the Son of God with power through His resurrection from the dead.
Supported by JFB
Contrasts earthly rebels with God's sovereign, heavenly throne, doing whatever He pleases.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Describes the Lord sending the rod of Messiah's strength out of Zion to rule amidst enemies.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Fulfills the mandate to 'Kiss the Son' by commanding all men to honor the Son as Father.
Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin