(4) He that sitteth.—Here the psalm, with a sublimity truly Hebrew, turns from the wild confusion on earth to the spectacle of God looking down with mingled scorn and wrath on the fruitless attempts of the heathen against His chosen people.Laugh.—We speak of the “irony of events “; the Hebrew ascribes irony to God, who controls events. read more
Missions: Promises and Prophecies Psalms 2:0 Diocletian's medal is still existing, on which he had caused to be inscribed that the name of Christians had been extinguished. The Council of Constance in 1414 met to burn Huss, to lay a solemn curse on Wycliffe's memory, and to put an end to schism. James I., after the Hampton Court Conference, said of the Puritans: 'I shall make them conform themselves, or I will harry them out of this land, or else do worse'. Ranavàlona I. undertook to blot out... read more
Psalms 2:1-12VARIOUS unsatisfactory conjectures as to a historical basis for this magnificent lyric have been made, but none succeeds in specifying events which fit with the situation painted in it. The banded enemies are rebels, and the revolt is widespread; for the "kings of the earth" is a very comprehensive, if we may not even say a universal, expression. If taken in connection with "the uttermost parts of the earth" (Psalms 2:8), which are the King’s rightful dominion, it implies a sweep... read more
Psalms 2:0 The Rejected King 1. The rejection and the coming confederacy (Psalms 2:1-3 ) 2. Jehovah’s attitude and interference (Psalms 2:4-6 ) 3. The coming of the King and his inheritance (Psalms 2:7-9 ) 4. Warning and exhortation (Psalms 2:10-12 ) Psalms 2:1-3 . The rejection of the perfect Man, the Son of God, by man, is here revealed. It is the first psalm quoted in the New Testament. See Acts 4:25-28 . In this quotation it is applied to the Jews and Gentiles gathered together... read more
Psalms 1:0 True happiness is the theme of this psalm, whose author is unnamed. The negative side of true happiness is stated (Psalms 1:1 ), and then the positive (Psalms 1:2 ). Its reward follows (Psalms 1:3 ). Its nature and value are emphasized by a sharp contrast. Such a man is godly, his opposite ungodly (Psalms 1:4 ). The first is marked by stability, the second by instability (Psalms 1:4 ). The first has endless fruitfulness and blessing, the second has nothing and worse than nothing... read more
Psalms 2:0 [Note. Jerusalem appears to be threatened by hostile powers, a confederacy that took advantage of the succession of a young and inexperienced monarch, to throw off the bonds of subjection and tribute. David, Solomon, Ahaz, and Uzziah have each of them been regarded as the hero and theme of the poem, but not one name satisfies the conditions of the psalm. Probably the psalm expresses an ideal view of the future. The psalm is lyric. It is based on the words of Nathan, and is referred... read more
What is here said of the sovereignty of Jehovah, of sitting in the heavens, of speaking in his wrath, of laughing, and the like, is intended to convey, by expressions of this nature, is best adapted to our comprehension, how impossible it is for the wicked opposers of God's holy will, either to escape his knowledge, to counteract his designs, or to avert his judgments. Sweet consideration to the humble believer, both to support him under his fears, as if he was overlooked and forgotten, when... read more
Them, who continue rebellious, Proverbs i. He speaks thus to shew that we deserve derision. (Haydock) --- Quod nos derisu digna faciamus. (St. Jerome) --- Yet he will convert many, (Worthington) even of those who, like St. Paul, were bent on persecuting the faithful. If they still resist, (Haydock) he will shew the futility of their plans, and triumph over all, as David did over his opponents, and Christ over those who wished to have obstructed his resurrection, and the propagation of his... read more
1-6 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... read more
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John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 2:1-12
The historical situation of this Ps. cannot now be recovered. It may refer to some threatened rebellion of subject kings in the early days of Solomon, or to some similar movement under one of the later kings; but it is impossible to give it any precise date. This, however, is of the less importance, as the leading feature of the Ps. is its application to the Messianic King—the ideal ruler of Israel. Some writers deny that it had any historical setting, and hold that it refers exclusively to the... read more