Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? Ver. 1. _Why do the heathen rage?_] WHY? or for what reason? The psalm beginneth abruptly, with an angry interrogation; _q.d._ What? are they mad to attempt such things, as whereof they can neither give any good reason, nor expect any go... [ Continue Reading ]
_The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, [saying],_ Ver. 2. _The kings of the earth set themselves_] Or, stand up, as if they would do the deed, and bear down all before them. The many had acted their part, Psalms 2:1,... [ Continue Reading ]
Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. Ver. 3. _Let us break their bands asunder, &c._] Here these rebels are brought in proclaiming their treasonable decrees against Christ, and his adherents, who seek to promote his kingdom. Resolved they were to run riot, as lawless... [ Continue Reading ]
He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. Ver. 4. _He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh at them_] _Videt, ridet._ He seeth and smileth, he looketh and laugheth, at these giants. He sitteth in heaven, far above their reach; neither doth he much trouble h... [ Continue Reading ]
Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure. Ver. 5. _Then shall he speak unto them, &c._] Heb. He shall tell them, viz. a piece of his mind, to their small comfort. As a great prince sitting on a lofty throne berateth his rebels when once he hath brought them b... [ Continue Reading ]
Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. Ver. 6. _Yet have I set my king_] Heb. And I have set. Heb. I have anointed; where the sign of his inauguration, or entrance into his kingdom, is put for the possession and enjoying thereof. David was anointed by God's appointment; Christ was also a... [ Continue Reading ]
I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou [art] my Son; this day have I begotten thee. Ver. 7. _I will declare the decree_] That irrevocable decree of the Father, for the setting up of his Son's sceptre _contra gentes,_ point blank opposite to that decree of theirs, Psalms 2:3. Th... [ Continue Reading ]
Ask of me, and I shall give [thee] the heathen [for] thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth [for] thy possession. Ver. 8. _Ask of me, and I will give thee_] All things are conveyed to Christ by asking; shall we think to have anything without asking? Or, are we not worthily miserabl... [ Continue Reading ]
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 f... [ Continue Reading ]
Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. Ver. 10. _Be wise now therefore, O ye kings_] Redeem your own sorrows by trembling at God's judgments, while they hang in the threatenings; this is a high point of heavenly wisdom. _ Ergo Dei tandem verbo subscribite reges:_... [ Continue Reading ]
Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Ver. 11. _Serve the Lord with fear_] _Timore non servili sed amicali,_ with reverence and godly fear, Hebrews 12:28. Say to Christ, as the people did to Joshua, Joshua 1:16, and as the rulers and elders of Israel did to Jehu, 2 Kings 10:5, "We a... [ Continue Reading ]
Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish [from] the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed [are] all they that put their trust in him. Ver. 12. _Kiss the Son_] That Son of God, Psalms 2:7. _Bar_ is a Hebrew word also, _see _ Pro 31:2 as R. Abraham confesseth, though other Rabbis... [ Continue Reading ]