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Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 2:1-12

The Divine King. This psalm is supposed by some to have been written about the time of the coronation of Solomon. The heathen might then be the subject nations outside of Palestine, which threatened rebellion at this time. The seventh verse is applied to Christ in Hebrews 1:1-14 . Let us use the psalm in this higher application of it to Christ. I. THE REBELLION OF THE WORLD AGAINST CHRIST . 1 . Is an unrighteous rebellion. Rebellion against evil powers is a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 2:2

The kings of the earth set themselves ; or , draw themselves up in array (comp. Jeremiah 46:4 ). Such kings as Herod the Great, Herod Agrippa, Nero, Galerius, Diocletian, Julian the Apostate, etc. There is always a warfare between the world and the Church, in which kings are apt to take a part, most often on the worldly side. And the rulers take counsel together. "Rulers" are persons having authority, but below the rank of kings Such were the ethnarchs and tetrarchs of the first century,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 2:2-6

The false and the true in kingship. There is a silent contrast throughout this psalm between the "kings of earth" ( Psalms 2:2 ) and" my King" ( Psalms 2:6 ). I. THE FALSE IS CHARACTERIZED BY SELF - SEEKING ; THE TRUE BY SELF - SACRIFICE . The false begin and end with self. They act from and for "themselves" ( Psalms 2:2 ). The true have regard to others, and are always ready to subordinate and sacrifice themselves for the good of others. In the one case... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 2:1

Why do the heathen rage - “Why do nations make a noise?” Prof. Alexander. The word “heathen” here - גוים gôyim - means properly “nations,” with out respect, so far as the word is concerned, to the character of the nations. It was applied by the Hebrews to the surrounding nations, or to all other people than their own; and as those nations were in fact pagans, or idolators, the word came to have this signification. Nehemiah 5:8; Jeremiah 31:10; Ezekiel 23:30; Ezekiel 30:11; compare אדם 'âdâm,... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 2:2

The kings of the earth - This verse is designed to give a more specific form to the general statement in Psalms 2:1. In the first verse the psalmist sees a general commotion among the nations as engaged in some plan that he sees must be a vain one; here he describes more particularly the cause of the excitement, and gives a nearer view of what is occurring. He now sees kings and rulers engaged in a specific and definite plot against Yahweh and against His Anointed. The word “kings” here is a... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 2:1

Psalms 2:1. Why do the heathen rage? Hebrew, גוים , goim, the nations, namely, 1st, Those bordering on Judea in David’s time, who raged against him, when exalted to the throne of Judah and Israel, 2 Samuel 5:6; 2 Samuel 5:17; 1 Chronicles 14:8; 1 Chronicles 1:0 Chronicles , 2 d, The Greeks and Romans, and other heathen nations, who raged against and persecuted Christ and his cause and people, Luke 18:32; Acts 4:25. Upon what provocation, and to what end or purpose, do they do so? And the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 2:2

Psalms 2:2. The kings of the earth So called by way of contempt, and to show their madness in opposing the God of heaven. Herod the Great, Herod the Tetrarch, Pilate and other princes and magistrates, with or after them, are chiefly intended; set themselves Hebrew, יתיצבו , jithjatzebu, set themselves in opposition, as Chandler renders it. The word expresses their firm purpose and professed hostility, together with the combination of their counsels and forces. And the rulers take... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Psalms 2:1-12

Psalms 2:0 God’s rulerThere is no title to this psalm, though Acts 4:25 indicates that the writer was David. The psalm was probably written to celebrate some great national occasion such as the coronation of a king. It was a reminder to the king, the people and the enemy nations that the Israelite king was, in a sense, God’s son, the one through whom God exercised his rule (2 Samuel 7:11-16; cf. Exodus 4:22). Through him God would overpower all opposition and establish his rule on the earth.In... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Psalms 2:1

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 . read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Psalms 2:2

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. read more

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