Psalms 2:5 - Exposition

Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath . "Then" ( אָז ) means "after a time"—"presently" ('Speaker's Commentary'), when the fitting period has arrived. "He shall speak"—not in articulate words, not by a voice from heaven, not even by a commissioned messenger, but by accomplished facts. Christ does rule; Christ does reign; he sits a King in heaven, and is acknowledged as a King upon earth. In vain was all the opposition of the Jews, in vain persecution after persecution by the Gentiles. God has established his Church, and "the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." And vex them . "Strike terror and dismay into them" (Kay). In his sore displeasure; or, "in the heat of his anger" (Trench and Skinner).