Psalms 2

Psalms 2:1-12

God’ s Son upon His Throne Psalms 2:1-12 This is one of the sublimest of the Psalms, and can find its fulfillment only in our Lord. See Acts 4:25; Acts 13:33; Hebrews 1:5; Hebrews 5:5; Revelation 2:27. The mold in which the psalm is cast is highly dramatic. The determined hate of the peoples, Psalms 2:1-3 Rage conveys the idea of gesticulations and cries of frenzy. For Psalms 2:2, see Luke 23:12-13; Acts 4:25-26. The divine tranquillity, Psalms 2:4-6 The scene shifts to heaven. In spite of all, the eternal purpose moves on. I have set-that is, “ anointed.” “ Messiah” and “ Christ” alike mean anointed, Acts 10:38. The manifesto of Messiah, Psalms 2:7-9 Before time began He was the only begotten Son of God, John 17:5. But His sonship was declared at His resurrection, Acts 13:30-37. The world is His, to be won by the Cross and intercession. Overtures of peace, Psalms 2:12 Kiss, 1 Samuel 10:1. This psalm closes as the first began, “ Oh, the blessedness!”

Thou art my Son!This Psalm is dramatic and sublime. Attempts have been made to connect it with David or Solomon; but its scope is too vast and majestic to be limited to any earthly monarch. The Psalm must find its complete fulfillment in Him to whom its glowing passages are referred in Acts 4:25; Acts 13:33; Hebrews 1:5; Hebrews 5:5; Revelation 2:27. A natural division is suggested by the structure of the Psalm into four stanzas of three verses each.

Psalms 2:1-3 The determined hate of the people. The word rage has the idea of vast crowds swarming with Oriental gesticulations and cries into a central meeting-place. Imagine is the same word translated meditate (Psalms 1:2); while the godly meditates on God’s law, the ungodly meditates in vain. Pilate, Herod and the Jewish rulers are for once at peace among themselves in their common hostility to the Messiah (Luke 23:12-13). Let us not effect worldly alliances, for the drift of the great ones of the earth is against our Lord. Compare Psalms 2:3 with Hosea 11:4 and Matthew 11:30.

Psalms 2:4-6 The divine tranquility. The scene shifts to heaven; there God is depicted as undismayed–a strong man laughs at the ineffectual efforts of tiny children to throw him down. Yet I have set, i.e., anointed – “Messiah” and “Christ” alike mean anointed. Our Lord was anointed with the Holy Ghost (Isaiah 11:2-3; Isaiah 61:1;Acts 10:38; Luke 4:18; John 3:34). He is God’s own King; MY King; as Solomon was David’s (1 Kings 1:37-38, etc.).

Psalms 2:7-9 Messiah’s manifesto. He produces and recites one of the eternal decrees. Before time was, He was the only begotten of the Father (John 17:5): his sonship was declared at his Resurrection; then He was born first from among the dead and sealed (Acts 13:30-37; Romans 1:4; Colossians 1:18). The world is his heritage; but the gift is conditional on prayer. For this He pleads through the ages; and, if we are truly at one with Him, we too shall ask. The pastoral staff for the sheep; the “iron rod” for those who oppose.

Psalms 2:12 Overtures and counsels of peace. Kiss, the expression of homage (1 Samuel 10:1). The word “adore” is literally to the mouth. To “perish in the way” reminds of 1:6. Notice the change in R.V.: “his wrath will soon be kindled” (James 5:9; Revelation 6:17). Oh the blessedness! Closes this Psalm as it began the first.