_A.M. 2957. B.C. 1047._ “This Psalm,” says Bishop Patrick, “under the history of David, contains a most illustrious prophecy of the kingdom of Christ; whom God raised even from the dead, made the King of glory, and, notwithstanding all that the scribes and Pharisees, Herod and other princes, could... [ Continue Reading ]
_Why do the heathen rage?_ Hebrew, גוים, _goim, the nations_, namely, 1st, Those bordering on Judea in David's time, who raged against him, when exalted to the throne of Judah and Israel, 2 Samuel 5:6; 2 Samuel 5:17; 1 Chronicles 14:8; 1 Chronicles 1 Chronicles, 2 d, The Greeks and Romans, and other... [ Continue Reading ]
_The kings of the earth_ So called by way of contempt, and to show their madness in opposing the God of heaven. Herod the Great, Herod the Tetrarch, Pilate and other princes and magistrates, with or after them, are chiefly intended; _set themselves_ Hebrew, יתיצבו, _jithjatzebu, set themselves in op... [ Continue Reading ]
_Let us break their bands asunder_ That is, the laws of the Lord and his Anointed; the bands or yokes which they design to put upon our necks, that they may bring us into subjection. The laws of God and Christ, though easy and pleasant in themselves, and to all good men, Matthew 11:29; 1 John 5:3; y... [ Continue Reading ]
_He that sitteth in the heavens_ As the judge upon his tribunal, weighing the actions of men, and as the king of the whole earth upon his royal throne; who, without moving from his place, can with one word or look destroy all his enemies. His _sitting_ (or _dwelling_, as Dr. Waterland renders ושׁב,... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then_ In the midst of all their plots and confidence of success; _shall he speak unto them in his wrath_ That is, severely rebuke them, not only by his prophets and other messengers in words, but by dreadful judgments, the effects of his wrath, which he will execute upon them. He shall make them kn... [ Continue Reading ]
_Yet_ Notwithstanding all their artifices and powerful combinations, _have I set_ Hebrew, נסכתי, _nasachti, I have anointed_, that is, designed, appointed, or constituted, as the word is frequently used in the Scriptures; _my king Mine_ in a singular sense, who has not his kingdom by succession from... [ Continue Reading ]
_I will declare_ Or _publish_, that all people concerned may take notice of it and submit to it, if they would escape the divine judgments which will be executed on the refractory and disobedient; _the decree_ The will and appointment of God concerning my advancement to the throne of Judah and Israe... [ Continue Reading ]
_Ask of me_ Claim or demand it of me as thy right by my promise, and thy birth and purchase; _the heathen for thine inheritance_ To be possessed and enjoyed by thee in the manner of an inheritance, namely, surely and perpetually. Thus “Christ was to enter upon the exercise of the intercessorial bran... [ Continue Reading ]
_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 th... [ Continue Reading ]
_Be wise now therefore_ Understand your true interest while you have time and space for repentance and submission; _O ye kings_ You and your people. _Be instructed, ye judges_ Or rulers, you and those that are ruled by you. But he speaks of and to kings and rulers only, 1st, Because they most need t... [ Continue Reading ]
_Serve the Lord with fear_ That is, with reverence and an awful sense of his great and glorious majesty, rendering you careful and diligent to please him, and afraid to offend him. _And rejoice_ Do not esteem his yoke your dishonour and grievance, but know that it is a greater glory and happiness to... [ Continue Reading ]
_Kiss the Son_ The Son of God, in token of your subjection and adoration; of which this was a sign among the eastern nations; _lest ye perish from the way_ Be taken out of the way by death or destruction. Or, _perish out of the way_ by losing the right way, by taking wrong and evil courses, the end... [ Continue Reading ]