Psalm 2:1-3 ESV

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 2:1

Why do the Heathen rage ,.... Or "the nations"; which some understand of the Jews, who are so called, Genesis 17:5 ; because of their various tribes; and of their rage against the Messiah there have been many instances; as when they gnashed upon him with their teeth, and at several times took up stones to stone him, and cried out in a most furious and wrathful manner, crucify him, crucify him, Luke 4:28 ; though it is best to interpret it of the Gentiles, as the apostles seem to do in ... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 2:1

Why do the heathen rage - It has been supposed that David composed this Psalm after he had taken Jerusalem from the Jebusites, and made it the head of the kingdom; 2 Samuel 5:7-9 . The Philistines, hearing this, encamped in the valley of Rephaim, nigh to Jerusalem, and Josephus, Antiq. lib. 7: c. 4, says that all Syria, Phoenicia, and the other circumjacent warlike people, united their armies to those of the Philistines, in order to destroy David before he had strengthened himself in the... 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

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 2:1

Verse 1 WE know how many conspired against David, and endeavored to prevent his coming to the throne, and from their hostile attempts, had he judged according to the eye of sense and reason, he might have been so full of apprehension, as forthwith to have given up all hope of ever becoming king. And, doubtless, he had often to struggle sorrowfully with very grievous temptations. But, as he had the testimony of an approving conscience, that he had attempted nothing rashly nor acted as ambition... 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 2:1

Why do the heathen rage? The psalmist writes with a vision before his eyes. He "sees Jehovah upon his throne, and Messiah entering upon his universal dominion. The enemies of both on earth rise up against them with frantic tumult, and vainly strive to east off the fetters of their rule." Hence his sudden outburst. "What ails the heathen ( goim )," he says. "that they rage?" or "make an uproar" (Kay), or "assemble tumultuously" (margin of Authorized Version and Revised,Version)? What are... read more

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 2:1

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

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 2:1

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

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

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 2:1

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

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 2:1

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