Psalm 2:2-9

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 2:4

He that sitteth in the heavens - God, represented as having his home, his seat, his throne in heaven, and thence administering the affairs of the world. This verse commences the second strophe or stanza of the psalm; and this strophe Psalms 2:4-6 corresponds with the first Psalms 2:1-3 in its structure. The former describes the feelings and purposes of those who would cast off the government of God; this describes the feelings and purposes of God in the same order, for in each case the psalmist... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 2:5

Then shall he speak unto them - That is, this seeming indifference and unconcern will not last forever. He will not always look calmly on, nor will he suffer them to accomplish their purposes without interposing. When he has shown how he regards their schemes - how impotent they are, how much they are really the objects of derision, considered as an attempt to cast off his authority - he will interpose and declare his own purposes - his determination to establish his king on the hill of Zion.... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 2:6

Yet have I set my king - The word “yet” is merely the translation of the conjunction “and.” It is rendered in the Vulgate “but ...autem;” and so in the Septuagint, δέ de. It would be better rendered perhaps by the usual word “and:” “And I have set or constituted my king,” etc. This is properly to be regarded as the expression of God himself; as what he says in reply to their declared purposes Psalms 2:3, and as what is referred to in Psalms 2:5. The meaning is, he would speak to them in his... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 2:7

I will declare the decree - We have here another change in the speaker. The Anointed One is himself introduced as declaring the great purpose which was formed in regard to him, and referring to the promise which was made to him, as the foundation of the purpose of Yahweh Psalms 2:6 to set him on the hill of Zion. The first strophe or stanza Psalms 2:1-3 is closed with a statement made by the rebels of their intention or design; the second Psalms 2:4-6 with a statement of the purpose of Yahweh;... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 2:8

Ask of me - That is, of God. This is a part of the “decree” or purpose, as mentioned in Psalms 2:7. That decree embraced not only the design to constitute him as his Son, in the sense that he was to be king in Zion, but also the purpose to give him a dominion embracing “the heathen” and “the uttermost parts of the earth.” This wide dominion was to be given him on condition that he would “ask” for it, thus keeping up the idea that Yahweh, as such, is the great source of authority and empire, and... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 2:9

Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron - That is, evidently, thine enemies, for it cannot be supposed to be meant that he would sway such a scepter over his own people. The idea is that he would crush and subdue all his foes. He would have absolute power, and the grant which had been made to him would be accompanied with authority sufficient to hold it. That dominion which was to be conceded to him would be not only one of protection to his friends, but also of punishment on his enemies; and... 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

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 2:3

Psalms 2:3. Let us break their bands asunder That is, the laws of the Lord and his Anointed; the bands or yokes which they design to put upon our necks, that they may bring us into subjection. The laws of God and Christ, though easy and pleasant in themselves, and to all good men, Matthew 11:29-30; 1 John 5:3; yet are very grievous and burdensome to corrupt nature, and carnal, wicked men. And cast away their cords from us The same thing expressed with more emphasis. Let us not only break... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 2:4

Psalms 2:4. He that sitteth in the heavens As the judge upon his tribunal, weighing the actions of men, and as the king of the whole earth upon his royal throne; who, without moving from his place, can with one word or look destroy all his enemies. His sitting (or dwelling, as Dr. Waterland renders ושׁב , josheb, here) in the heavens is opposed to their being and reigning on the earth, (Psalms 2:2,) and is mentioned here, as in other places of Scripture, as an evidence both of God’s... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 2:5

Psalms 2:5. Then In the midst of all their plots and confidence of success; shall he speak unto them in his wrath That is, severely rebuke them, not only by his prophets and other messengers in words, but by dreadful judgments, the effects of his wrath, which he will execute upon them. He shall make them know, to their full conviction, by the disappointment of their schemes and the vengeance taken on them, 1st, That David is established king in Jerusalem; and, 2d, That the Messiah, his... read more

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 2:4

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 2:5

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 2:6

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 2:7

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 2:8

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 2:9

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

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 2:3

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 2:4

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 2:5

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