Psalm 2:2-4 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 2:1-6

We have here a very great struggle about the kingdom of Christ, hell and heaven contesting it; the seat of the war is this earth, where Satan has long had a usurped kingdom and exercised dominion to such a degree that he has been called the prince of the power of the very air we breathe in and the god of the world we live in. He knows very well that, as the Messiah's kingdom rises and gets ground, his falls and loses ground; and therefore, though it will be set up certainly, it shall not be... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 2:2

The kings of the earth set themselves ,.... Rose and stood up in great wrath and fury, and presented themselves in an hostile manner, and opposed the Messiah: as Herod the great, king of Judea, who very early bestirred himself, and sought to take away the life of Jesus in his infancy; and Herod Antipas, tetrarch of Galilee, who is called a king, Mark 6:14 ; who with his men of war mocked him, and set him at nought; and Pontius Pilate, the governor of Judea, who represented the Roman... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 2:3

Let us break their bands asunder ,.... These are not the words of the apostles, nor of the saints in Gospel times, encouraging one another, notwithstanding the rage and opposition of Jews and Gentiles against their Master and his interest, to break asunder the bands of wickedness, the idolatrous customs and practices of the Heathens, and to throw off the insupportable yoke of bondage, of Jewish traditions and ceremonies, see Isaiah 58:6 ; but of the Heathen, the people, and kings of the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 2:4

He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh ,.... At the rage and tumult of the Heathen; at the vain imaginations of the people; at the opposition of the kings of the earth; at the mad counsel of the rulers, against him and his Messiah; and at their proposal to one another to throw off the yoke and government of them both. This is a periphrasis of God, "who dwells in the heavens", and sits there enthroned; though he is not included and comprehended in them, but is everywhere; and his being... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 2:2

Against his anointed - משיחיה על al Meshichiah , "Against his Messiah." - Chaldee. But as this signifies the anointed person, it may refer first to David, as it does secondly to Christ. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 2:3

Let us break their bands - These are the words of the confederate heathen powers; and here, as Bishop Horne well remarks, "we may see the ground of opposition; namely, the unwillingness of rebellious nature to submit to the obligations of Divine laws, which cross the interests, and lay a restraint on the desires of men. Corrupt affections are the most inveterate enemies of Christ, and their language is, We will not have this man to reign over us. Doctrines would be readily believed if they... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 2:4

He that sitteth in the heavens - Whose kingdom ruleth over all, and is above all might and power, human and diabolical. Shall laugh. Words spoken after the manner of men; shall utterly contemn their puny efforts; shall beat down their pride, assuage their malice, and confound their devices. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 2:3

Verse 3 3.Let us break, etc. This is a prosopopoeia, (25) in which the prophet introduces his-enemies as speaking; and he employs this figure the better to express their ungodly and traitorous design. Not that they openly avowed themselves rebels against God, (for they rather covered their rebellion under every possible pretext, and presumptuously boasted of having God on their side;) but since they were fully determined, by all means, fair or foul, to drive David from the throne, whatever they... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 2:4

Verse 4 After David has told us of the tumult and commotions, the counsels and pride, the preparation and resources the strength and efforts of his enemies, in opposition to all these he places the power of God alone, which he concludes would be brought to bear against them, from their attempting to frustrate his decree. And, as a little before, by terming them kings of the earth, he expressed their feeble and perishable condition; so now, by the lofty title of He that dwelleth in heaven, he... 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

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 2:1-6

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 2:2

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 2:3

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 2:4

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 2:2

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 2:3

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 2:4

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 2:3

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 2:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 2:1-12

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