Bible Commentary

Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. 11. Serve ] The context indicates that political submission to Jehovah in the person of His representative is primarily intended. Cp. Psa 18:43; Psa 72:11. But the wider meaning must not be excluded. Serve and fear are words constantly used with a religious meaning; and political … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 2:11”

Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. 10. Be wise now therefore ] Now therefore should stand first, as in R.V., emphatically introducing the conclusion to be drawn from the statements of the preceding verses. kings judges of the earth ] Not the rebel leaders of Psa 2:2 … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 2:10”

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 … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 2:9”

Ask of me, and I shall give [thee] the heathen [for] thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth [for] thy possession. 8. Ask of me ] Inheritance is the natural right of sonship. Yet even the son must plead the promise and claim its fulfilment. Dominion over the nations is not expressly mentioned … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 2:8”

I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou [art] my Son; this day have I begotten thee. 7. the decree ] The solemn and authoritative edict, promulgated in the promise made to David and his house through Nathan (2Sa 7:12 ff). hath said unto me ] Better, said unto me (R.V.), … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 2:7”

Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. 6. Yet have I set ] R.V., Yet I have set. The first stanza ended with the defiant words of the rebels: the second stanza ends with the answer of Jehovah. The sentence is elliptical, and the pronoun is emphatic: ‘Why this uproar, … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 2:6”

Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure. 5. Then ] There is a limit to the divine patience. He will not always look on in silence. If they persist in their folly He must speak, and His word (like that of His representative, Isa 11:4) is … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 2:5”

He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. 4. He that sitteth in the heavens ] Enthroned in majesty (Psa 123:1), but withal watching and controlling the course of events upon the earth (Psa 11:4; Psa 103:19; Psa 113:4 ff.; Rev 5:13; Rev 6:16). shall laugh shall have … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 2:4”

Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. 3. The words of the kings and rulers exhorting one another to cast off the yoke of subjection. Bands are the fastenings by which the yoke was secured upon the neck (Jer 27:2; Jer 30:8; Nah 1:13; &c.): cords are perhaps merely … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 2:3”

The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, [saying], 2. The kings of the earth ] In contrast to ‘my king,’ Psa 2:6. Cp. the use of the phrase in striking contexts, Psa 76:12; Psa 89:27; Psa 102:15; Psa 138:4; Psa 148:11; Isa … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 2:2”