Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 2:9
Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.
9. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron ] A figure for the severity of the chastisement that awaits rebels. Or perhaps, ‘an iron sceptre ’ (Psa 45:6), symbol of a stern and irresistible rule. But the word rendered break them, if read with different vowels, may mean rule (lit. shepherd) them. so the LXX (and after it Rev 2:27; Rev 12:5; Rev 19:15), Syriac, and Jerome. In this case rod will mean a shepherd’s staff (Mic 7:14), and the phrase will be an oxymoron.
a potter’s vessel ] An emblem of easy, complete, irreparable destruction. The confederacy is shattered into fragments which cannot be reunited. Cp. Jer 19:11; Isa 30:14; Pro 6:15.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
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 the statement here is made prominent because the former part of the psalm had respect to rebels, and the Messiah is here represented as being invested with power sufficient to punish and restrain them. The Vulgate renders this thou shalt rule; the Septuagint, thou shalt feed – poimaneis; that is, thou shalt feed them as a shepherd does his flock; thou shalt exercise over them the care and protection of a shepherd. This rendering occurs by a slight change in the pointing of the Hebrew word, though the most approved mode of pointing the word is that which is followed in our common translation. DeWette, Hengstenberg, Alexander, Horsley, adopt the common reading. What is said in this verse has been urged as an objection to referring it to the Messiah. The remark of DeWette on this matter has been quoted in the introduction to this psalm, Section 4 (3). But it may be observed, while it is everywhere represented that the scepter of the Messiah over the earth will be a mild scepter, it is also everywhere stated that he will ultimately crush and overthrow all his foes.
Thus, in Isa 11:4 : He shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. So Psa 110:6 : He shall judge among the heathen; he shall fill the places with the dead bodies. So, likewise, Rev 19:15 : And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations; and he shall rule them with a rod of iron; and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. So also in Matt. 25, and elsewhere, it is said that he will come to judgment, and will consign all his foes to appropriate punishment. While it is said that the reign of the Messiah would be a mild reign, and that his kingdom would not be of this world, and while he is represented as the Prince of peace, it is also said that he would be invested with all the authority of a sovereign. While he would have power to protect his friends, he would also have power to humble and crush his foes. The expression with a rod of iron refers to the scepter which he would bear. A scepter was sometimes made of wood, sometimes of gold, sometimes of ivory, and sometimes of iron. The idea, when the past was the case, was, that the dominion was absolute, and that there was nothing that could resist it. Perhaps the idea of justice or severity would be that which would be most naturally suggested by this. As applicable to the Messiah, it can only mean that his enemies would be crushed and subdued before him.
Thou shalt dash them in pieces – The same idea is here expressed in another form, but indicating more particularly the ease with which it would be done. The word rendered dash them in pieces means to break in pieces as an earthen vessel, Jdg 7:20; Jer 22:28. It is used to denote the crushing of infants on stones, Psa 137:9. The word shiver would well express the idea here – thou shalt shiver them.
Like a potters vessel – A vessel or instrument made by a potter; a vessel made of clay. This is easily broken, and especially with a rod of iron, and the idea here is that he would crush and subdue his enemies as easily as this could be done. No image could more happily express the ease with which he would subdue his foes; and this accords with all the representations of the New Testament – that with infinite case – with a word – Christ can subdue his enemies, and consign them to ruin. Compare Mat 25:41, Mat 25:46; Luk 19:27. The sense here is, simply, that the Messiah would be absolute; that he would have power to quell all rebellion against God, and to punish all those that rise up against him; and that on those who are incorrigibly rebellious he would exercise that power, and take effectual means to subdue them. This is merely what is done by all just governments, and is by no means inconsistent with the idea that such a government would be mild and gentle toward those who are obedient. The protection of the righteous makes the punishment of the wicked necessary in all governments, and the one cannot be secured without the other. This verse is applied to the Messiah in the Book of Revelation, Rev 2:27, note; Rev 19:15, note; compare Rev 12:5, note (see the notes at these passages).
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Psa 2:9
Break them with a rod of iron.
Jehovahs iron rod
This cannot mean that Messiahs sway is a kingdom of force, but only that His enemies can no more withstand His power than an earthen vessel can withstand the blows of an iron rod. His only weapons of assault are truth and love; and if human power and institutions crumble at their touch and pass away, it is because there is something radically evil and defective in them. The northern oceans are often filled with mountains of ice, reaching not only far down into the deep, but towering also to the very clouds, and threatening to crush to atoms everything with which they come into collision. Nevertheless, how soon do a few days of the light and heat of the sun rob them of their strength, leaving the frailest barque to speed on its way over unobstructed waters! It is in this way that the Sun of Righteousness operates. By light and heat and truth and love He clears the way over the frozen oceans of human life, for the onward progress of the ark of His salvation to the haven where it would be. The only way in which Messiah can be said to break His enemies with a rod of iron, and dash them in pieces like a potters vessel, is His leaving them to the natural and fearful destruction that flows from resisting truth and love, the two great laws of His kingdom, and indeed the two great laws of all well-being. (David Caldwell, A. M.)
Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potters vessel.
The power and triumph of the kingdom of Christ
All things are at Gods disposal–all nations, all men, collectively and individually. It is God who plants and destroys; it is He who builds up and pulls down. We learn from the Psalm that all things are at the disposal of God the Son. God the Father has given to Him the heathen for His inheritance,. . .and He shall break them with a rod of iron, He shall dash them in pieces like a potters vessel. In Isaiah it is said (Isa 60:12), For the nation and kingdom that shall not serve Thee shall perish; yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted. The Canaanites, the Egyptians, the Babylonians, the Persians, the Greeks, the Romans would not serve God, and they have perished. Kingdoms which will not serve Christ must be destroyed to make way for those who will serve Him. The kingdom of Christ will, sooner or later, swallow up all other kingdoms. The power of Christs kingdom, the power of His Word, is in a measure conferred upon His believing people. Christ has given to His believing people great power and influence in the earth. The Word of God is powerful; it is irresistible. If the Word of God be once deeply rooted in the hearts of a people it there abideth forever. God has wonderfully shielded England from danger ever since His Word became deeply rooted ill the land. God breaks the power of ungodly nations that He may break mens hearts of stone. He destroys the kingdoms of this world in order to establish and enlarge the kingdom of this dear Son. To change the heart is the work of God. He must go with the missionaries. But much depends on our faith–our faith in Gods promises. (R. Bickerdike, M. A.)
The powers of evil broken
Rods of iron crashing down upon the heads of men, dashing them in pieces like a potters vessel, are figures of speech that seem to be very unlike the merciful methods of entreaty and persuasion by which Christs kingdom is advanced on the earth; but we have need to remember that the Saviour is also the Judge. Not only in the future world, but also in this, history shows that the fate of nations has been determined by their attitude to Christ. While with individuals force is never to be employed as an instrument to conquer opposition, it is equally certain that in the providence of God antagonism to Gods will inevitably leads a nation ultimately to its destruction. Though the hand that smites it is hidden behind political movements, in which perhaps nothing can be seen save the passions of men urging them into conflict, yet when the smoke of the battlefield has rolled away, and the strife has ended, there stands out this great truth: Thou dashest them in pieces like a potters vessel. Nothing that sets itself against the Christ of God can ever last. (E. R. Barrett, B. A.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 9. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron] This may refer to the Jewish nation, whose final rejection of the Gospel was foreseen, and in whose place the Gentiles or heathen were brought into the Church of Christ. They were dispossessed of their land, their city was razed to its foundations, their temple was burnt with fire, and upwards of a million of themselves were slaughtered by the Romans! So heavily did the iron rod of God’s judgments fall upon them for their obstinate unbelief.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Thou shalt break them, i.e. those people that will not quietly submit to thee, shall be crushed and destroyed by thee.
With a rod of iron; with thy mighty power, which they shall never be able to resist.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
9. His enemies shall be subjectto His terrible power (Job 4:9;2Th 2:8), as His people to Hisgrace (Psa 110:2; Psa 110:3).
rod of irondenotesseverity (Re 2:27).
a potter’s vesselwhenshivered cannot be mended, which will describe utter destruction.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron,…. Not his inheritance and possession among the Gentiles, the chosen ones given him by the Father; these he delights in, takes care of, protects, and preserves: but the stubborn and rebellious ones among the Heathen, and in each of the parts of the world, who will not have him to reign over them; who treat his person with contempt, reject his government, disobey his Gospel, and despise his commands; towards these Christ will use severity, and will exert his power and break them in pieces. The Vulgate Latin, Septuagint, Syriac, Arabic, and Ethiopic versions, render it, “shall feed” or “rule them”; and so it is cited in Re 2:27; and applied to Christ, the Word of God, and King of kings; and must be understood, as it is in those places, of the severity of his government over them, of the strictness of his justice, without the least display of mercy; and then the sense is the same with those versions which render it, “shall break them:” as the word used is interpreted by the Targum, and the Jewish commentators on the place; and which is confirmed by what follows:
thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel; which is very easily done with a bar of iron; and, when it is done, the pieces can never be put together again: so that by the metaphor is signified the easy and irreparable ruin of the wicked; see Isa 30:14. The word signifies that they should be so crumbled into dust, that they should be scattered about as with the wind; which, so far as it relates to the Jews, was fulfilled in their destruction by the Romans, and will have its accomplishment in the antichristian nations at the latter day; see Re 2:26.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
This is expressly stated to teach us that Christ is furnished with power by which to reign even over those who are averse to his authority, and refuse to obey him. The language of David implies that all will not voluntarily receive his yoke, but that many will be stiff-necked and rebellious, whom notwithstanding he shall subdue by force, and compel to submit to him. It is true, the beauty and glory of the kingdom of which David speaks are more illustriously displayed when a willing people run to Christ in the day of his power, to show themselves his obedient subjects; but as the greater part of men rise up against him with a violence which spurns all restraint, it was necessary to add the truth, that this king would prove himself superior to all such opposition. Of this unconquerable power in war God exhibited a specimen, primarily in the person of David, who, as we know, vanquished and overthrew many enemies by force of arms. But the prediction is more fully verified in Christ, who, neither by sword nor spear, but by the breath of his mouth, smites the ungodly even to their utter destruction.
It may, however, seem wonderful that, while the prophets in other parts of Scripture celebrate the meekness, the mercy, and the gentleness of our Lord, he is here described as so rigorous, austere, and full of terror. But this severe and dreadful sovereignty is set before us for no other purpose than to strike alarm into his enemies; and it is not at all inconsistent with the kindness with which Christ tenderly and sweetly cherishes his own people. He who shows himself a loving shepherd to his gentle sheep, must treat the wild beasts with a degree of severity either to convert them from their cruelty, or effectually to restrain it. Accordingly in Psa 110:5, after a commendation is pronounced upon the obedience of the godly Christ is immediately armed with power to destroy, in the day of his wrath, kings and their armies who are hostile to him. And certainly both these characters are with propriety ascribed to him: for he was sent by the Father to cheer the poor and the wretched with the tidings of salvation, to set the prisoners free, to heal the sick, to bring the sorrowful and afflicted out of the darkness of death into the light of life, (Isa 61:1) and as, on the other hand, many by their ingratitude, provoke his wrath against them, he assumes, as it were, a new character, to beat down their obduracy. It may be asked, what is that iron scepter which the Father hath put into the hand of Christ, wherewith to break in pieces his enemies? I answer, The breath of his mouth supplies to him the place of all other weapons, as I have just now shown from Isaiah. Although, therefore, Christ move not a finger, yet by his speaking he thunders awfully enough against his enemies, and destroys them by the rod of his mouth alone. They may fret and kick, and with the rage of a madman resist him never so much, but they shall at length be compelled to feel that he whom they refuse to honor as their king is their judge. In short, they are broken in pieces by various methods, till they become his footstool. In what respect the doctrine of the gospel is an iron rod, may be gathered from Paul’s Epistle to the Corinthians, (2Co 10:4) where he teaches that the ministers of Christ are furnished with spiritual weapons to cast down every high thing which exalteth itself against Christ, etc. I allow that even the faithful themselves may be offered in sacrifice to God, that he may quicken them by his grace, for it is meet we should be humbled in the dust, before Christ stretch forth his hand to save us. But Christ trains his disciples to repentance in such a way as not to appear terrible to them; on the contrary, by showing them his shepherd’s rod, he quickly turns their sorrow into joy; and so far is he from using his iron rod to break them in pieces, that he rather protects them under the healing shadow of his hand, and upholds them by his power. When David speaks, therefore, of breaking and bruising, this applies only to the rebellious and unbelieving who submit to Christ, not because they have been subdued by repentance, but because they are overwhelmed with despair. Christ does not, indeed, literally speak to all men; but as he denounces in his word whatever judgments he executes upon them, he may be truly said to slay the ungodly man with the breath of his mouth, (2Th 2:8.) The Psalmist exposes to shame their foolish pride by a beautiful similitude; teaching us, that although their obstinacy is harder than the stones, they are yet more fragile than earthen vessels. Since, however, we do not see the enemies of the Redeemer immediately broken in pieces, but, on the contrary, the Church herself appears rather to be like the frail earthen vessel under their iron hammered the godly need to be admonished to regard the judgments which Christ daily executes as presages of the terrible ruin which remains for all the ungodly, and to wait patiently for the last day, when he will utterly consume them by the flaming fire in which he will come. In the meantime, let us rest satisfied that he “rules in the midst of his enemies.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(9) Thou shalt break.The LXX. translated, thou shalt pasture them, understanding by the rod (Heb., shevet), as in Lev. 27:32, a shepherds crook. (Comp. Eze. 20:37; Mic. 7:14.) Elsewhere the rod is a sceptre (Psa. 125:3); in Pro. 22:15 it is a rod of correction. The use to be made of itto dash the nations in pieces, as one breaks a potters vesselpoints to the latter of these significations here.
Then shalt thou bring full low
With iron sceptre bruised, and them disperse
Like to a potters vessel shivered so. (Miltons trans.)
Psa. 2:10 begins the fourth section of the poem. Subject princes are warned to be wise in time, and, as a religious duty as well as a political necessity, to submit to Jehovah.
Rejoice with trembling.Literally, quake, referring to the motion of the body produced by strong emotion, and therefore used both of joy and terror. Our version follows the LXX.; most of the old versions paraphrase the word: Chaldean, pray; Syriac, cleave to him; Arabic, praise him. It is historically interesting to remember that the words of this verseet nunc reges intelligiteformed the legend of the medal struck in England after the execution of Charles I.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
9. Rod of iron The sceptre, which is the emblem of authority, shall be an iron rod, the symbol of severity, called “the rod of thy [Messiah’s] strength,” (Psa 110:2,) which Jehovah would “send out of Zion.” This severity applies only to Christ’s judgments on his enemies, who refuse submission and despise the gospel. The New Testament abates nothing of this language or doctrine. The gospel is a free amnesty to all who will accept it, and a rule of judgment against all who reject it: (compare Jer 19:11; Rev 12:5; Rev 19:15😉 “of vengeance on them that obey not the gospel.” 2Th 1:8. “The wrath of the Lamb,” (Rev 6:16,) is no less than that threatened in Psa 2:9; Psa 2:12 of our psalm.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
How precious again is this promise, both as it concerns the haters of our God and Saviour, whose knees are never brought to bend to the sovereignty of his grace, and which must be broken before him: and as it concerns those whose stubborn hearts shall be conquered, and made willing in the day of his power, and are brought over to the interests of his kingdom. Lord! I would say for myself and reader, conquer all that would rise up in rebellion against thee! I would be led the willing captive of my Redeemer!
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Psa 2:9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.
Ver. 9. Thou shalt break them, &c. ] sc. Those that will not bend thou shalt thus break. Thou shalt roughly rule them (Ainsworth). Christ’s gracious government of his obedient people, though not so fully expressed here, yet it is to be necessarily understood; and in the last words of the psalm it is plainly held forth, “Blessed are they that trust in him.”
Thou shalt dash them in pieces (or, scatter them abroad, being already broken) as a potter’s vessel] i.e. Without any hope of repair and recovery. It is a fearful thing to fall into the punishing hands of the living God, Heb 10:31 He that will not be warned in hearing shall be crushed to pieces in feeling, said that martyr, Aut faciendum aut patiendum. God will be obeyed either actively or passively. Look to it.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
break them = rule, or govern them. So Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate.
rod = sceptre.
iron. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), for unbending authority.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Psalm 2:9
Psa 2:9
“Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron;
Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.”
This is a reference to the Judgment of the Last Day, when, at last, God will wipe Adam off the face of the earth, as indicated in Zep 1:3. Also we have a prophetic depiction of the same event in Rev 19:11-21.
These verses refer to the ultimate end of Adam’s rebellious race, which is on a collision course with disaster, which will eventually occur when God terminates the probation of our ungodly humanity. Even the philosophers have warned us that the Adamic race has no possibility of an endless continuation upon earth. A species in rebellion against the Creator is foredoomed to eventual annihilation in a cataclysmic disaster which only the Redeemed in Christ shall survive.
E.M. Zerr:
Psa 2:9. The expressions in this verse are figurative and are intended to give the idea of God’s firm rule. A king holds a rod or scepter in his hand while on the throne, indicating his right and ability to rule. A rod of iron would denote a rule that is firm and enduring. A potter’s vessel is fragile and would shatter into many pieces if struck. The ease and certainty with which a man would break this vessel into many pieces is used to compare God’s success in demolishing the heathen in their wicked attempts at overthrowing the divine authority.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
Psa 21:8, Psa 21:9, Psa 89:23, Psa 110:5, Psa 110:6, Isa 30:14, Isa 60:12, Jer 19:11, Dan 2:44, Mat 21:44, Rev 2:26, Rev 2:27, Rev 12:5
Reciprocal: Gen 22:17 – thy seed Exo 15:6 – dashed Lev 15:12 – shall be broken Lev 25:44 – General Num 24:8 – break Jdg 7:19 – brake 1Sa 2:10 – adversaries Job 34:24 – break Psa 9:5 – rebuked Psa 21:2 – General Psa 31:12 – a broken vessel Psa 45:4 – right Psa 72:4 – break Psa 72:9 – his enemies Psa 110:2 – rule Isa 11:4 – and he shall Isa 40:10 – his arm Jer 13:14 – I will dash Jer 25:34 – ye shall Jer 48:12 – empty Jer 48:38 – broken Eze 19:11 – she had Eze 45:7 – General Joe 3:12 – for Mat 21:41 – He will Mat 22:44 – till Luk 19:27 – General Luk 20:16 – destroy 1Co 15:28 – all things 2Th 1:8 – taking Rev 6:16 – and from Rev 17:14 – the Lamb shall Rev 19:15 – and he shall
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Psa 2:9. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron Those people that will not quietly submit to thee shall be crushed and destroyed by thy mighty power, which they shall never be able to resist. This was in part fulfilled when the Jews, who persisted in unbelief, were destroyed by the Roman power: and in the destruction of the pagan power when the Christian religion came to be established. But it will not be completely fulfilled till all opposing power and principality be put down.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
God will deal with all rebellious peoples severely when He sets up the Messiah on His throne. It was customary for the Egyptian Pharaoh to smash votive pottery jars that represented rebellious cities or nations with his scepter. [Note: Ross, p. 792.] Perhaps that practice was the source of the imagery used in this verse. "Rule" (NIV) really means "break" (Heb. ra’a’). The emphasis in this verse is on the putting down of rebels rather than the rule that will follow that subjugation. "Rod" describes a shepherd’s staff, a fitting scepter for Him who is the Shepherd of all humankind (cf. Psa 23:4; Gen 49:10; Rev 2:27; Rev 11:15-18; Rev 12:5; Rev 19:15).