Bible Commentaries
Psalms 2

Verse 1

The second Psalm of each book has to do with the enemy. See App-10 .

Why. ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 . Repeat at beginning of Psalms 2:2 . Compare Acts 4:25 , Acts 4:26 .

heathen = nations. Note the quadruple Anabasis ( App-6 ): nations, peoples, kings, rulers. Compare Psalms 1:1 .

rage = tumultuously assemble.

people = peoples.

imagine. Same as meditate in Psalms 1:2 .

Verse 2

set themselves = take their stand.

take counsel together = have gathered by appointment. So the Septuagint and Aramaean. Compare Psalms 48:4 .

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

Anointed = Messiah. So Psalms 18:50 ; Psalms 20:6 ; Psalms 28:8 ; Psalms 84:9 ; Psalms 89:38 , Psalms 89:51 ; Psalms 132:10 , Psalms 132:17 . In Daniel 9:25 , Daniel 9:26 , rendered Messiah.

saying. The Figure of speech Ellipsis ( App-6 ) correctly supplied.

Verse 3

their: i.e. Jehovah's, and Messiah's.

Verse 4

laugh. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6 .

The LORD* . Primitive text was Jehovah. Altered by the Sopherim to Adonai. See App-32 .

Verse 6

set = founded. Not the same word as Psalms 2:2 .

My holy hill. Figure of speech Antimeria ( App-6 ). Hebrew = "mount of my Sanctuary".

holy. See note on Exodus 3:5 .

Zion. The mount immediately south of Moriah. See note on 2 Samuel 5:7 . Occurs thirty-eight times in Psalms. "Jerusalem" occurs seventeen times.

Verse 7

the = for a.

Thou art my Son. Quoted in Acts 13:33 .Hebrews 1:5 ; Hebrews 5:5 . This is the Divine formula for anointing. Compare Matthew 3:17 , for Prophet; Matthew 17:5 , for Priest; and Hebrews 1:5 , Hebrews 1:6 , for King.

begotten Thee. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia ( App-6 ). It refers to resurrection (Acts 13:33 .Romans 1:3 , Romans 1:4 .Colossians 1:18 . Revelation 1:5 ).

Verse 8

Ask of me. Referring not to this present dispensation of grace, but to coming dispensation of judgment.

I shall give, &c. Quoted in Revelation 2:27 ; Revelation 12:5 ; Revelation 19:15 .

Verse 9

break them = rule, or govern them. So Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate.

rod = sceptre.

iron. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), for unbending authority.

Verse 10

Be wise. Figure of speech Apostrophe. App-6 .

Verse 11

the LORD. Hebrew. 'eth Jehovah. App-4 . (objective).

Verse 12

Kiss = submit to, or be ruled by. Hebrew. nashak. Occurs thirty-two times (first in Genesis 27:26 , Genesis 27:27 ). Always so rendered except 1 Chronicles 12:2 . 2 Chronicles 17:17 . 2Ch 78:9 (where it is Poel Part.) "armed"; Ezekiel 3:13 "touched" (margin "kissed"); and Genesis 41:40 , "be ruled" (margin "be armed", or "kiss").

Son. Aramaean. bar, a Homonym with two meanings: (1) s on (Daniel 3:25 .Ezra 5:1 , Ezra 5:2 , Ezra 5:2 ; Ezra 6:14 .Daniel 3:25 ; Daniel 5:22 ; Daniel 7:13 , and Proverbs 31:2 , Proverbs 31:2 , Proverbs 31:2 (king Lemuel); (2) ground, Daniel 2:38 ; Daniel 2:4 , Daniel 2:12 , Daniel 2:15 , Daniel 2:21 , Daniel 2:23 , Daniel 2:23 , Daniel 2:25 , Daniel 2:32 . See note on Job 39:4 . So here in Psalms 2:12 = kiss the ground, Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6 , for prostrate yourselves in submission. The usual Hebrew for "son" is ben, and is translated "son" or "sons" 2,890 times, and "child" or "children" (where it ought always to be "son" or "sons"), 1,549 times: making 4,439 in all. The Aramaean ben is also used for "son".

He: i.e. Jehovah, Psalms 2:11 .

from the way. No Figure of speech Ellipsis ( App-6 ) here, "from" not needed = "perish, way [and all]". Ending like Psalms 1:6 . Compare Psalms 146:9 . So 2 Kings 3:4 = wool [and all].

When His wrath is kindled: or, His wrath will soon be kindled (Revised Version)

a little = quickly. See note on "almost", Proverbs 5:14 .

Blessed = How happy. Figure of speech Beatitude. See note on Psalms 1:1 .

put their trust = flee for refuge to. Hebrew. hasah. See App-69 .