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John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 2:5

Verse 5 Moreover, he ascribes speech to God, not for the purpose of instructing his enemies, but only to convict them of their madness; indeed, by the term speak, he means nothing else than a manifestation of God’s wrath, which the ungodly do not perceive until they feel it. The enemies of David thought it would be the easiest thing in the world for them to destroy one who, coming from a mean shepherd’s cot, had, in their view, (27) presumptuously assumed the sovereign power. The prophecy and... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 2:7

Verse 7 7.I will declare, etc. David, to take away all pretense of ignorance from his enemies, assumes the office of a preacher in order to publish the decree of God; or at least he protests that he did not come to the throne without a sure and clear proof of his calling; as if he had said, I did not, without consideration, publicly go forward to usurp the kingdom, but I brought with me the command of God, without which, I would have acted presumptuously, in advancing myself to such fin... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 2:8

Verse 8 8.Ask of me. Christ, it is true, besought his Father (John 17:5) to “glorify him with the glory which he had with him before the world was;” yet the more obvious meaning is, that the Father will deny nothing to his Son which relates to the extension of his kingdom to the uttermost ends of the earth. But, in this wonderful matter, Christ is introduced as presenting himself before the Father with prayers, in order to illustrate the free liberality of God in conferring upon men the honor... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 2:9

Verse 9 This is expressly stated to teach us that Christ is furnished with power by which to reign even over those who are averse to his authority, and refuse to obey him. The language of David implies that all will not voluntarily receive his yoke, but that many will be stiff-necked and rebellious, whom notwithstanding he shall subdue by force, and compel to submit to him. It is true, the beauty and glory of the kingdom of which David speaks are more illustriously displayed when a willing... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 2:1-12

The psalm is certainly Messianic. It is assumed to be so in Acts 4:25 ; Acts 13:33 ; Hebrews 1:5 ; Hebrews 5:5 . However it may, to a certain extent, apply to David, David cannot exhaust its allusions. Hebrews 5:7 , Hebrews 5:8 , and Hebrews 5:12 are inapplicable to David, and must refer to the Messiah. The Jews admitted the Messianic character of the psalm, until driven into denial by the controversy with Christians. Most modern critics allow it. There is a certain... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 2:1-12

The King in Zion: a Messianic psalm. A close examination of this psalm will show it to be at once prophetic and Messianic. Its date and author are not certainly known. The style rather points to David as the probable writer. To him especially the promise of a King who should reign in righteousness formed part of that "everlasting covenant, ordered in all things and sure." By faith in that covenant he foresaw him, who, being emphatically the Just One, should rule in the fear of God (see 2... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 2:1-12

The heathen in three aspects. I. AS SLAVES OF SIN . The condition of peoples varies. Civilization was more advanced in Greece and Rome than in other parts of the world. But though there may be superiority in some respects, with regard to the highest things there is no difference ( Romans 3:9 ). What a terrible picture have we in this psalm of the crimes and violence and miseries that desolate the world, where "the lust of the eye, and the lust of the flesh, and the pride of... read more

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

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