Psalms 2:1
THE HEATHEN] RY 'the nations,' i.e. the Gentile or non-Jewish peoples. Rage] better, 'plot together.'... [ Continue Reading ]
THE HEATHEN] RY 'the nations,' i.e. the Gentile or non-Jewish peoples. Rage] better, 'plot together.'... [ Continue Reading ]
The historical situation of this Ps. cannot now be recovered. It may refer to some threatened rebellion of subject kings in the early days of Solomon, or to some similar movement under one of the later kings; but it is impossible to give it any precise date. This, however, is of the less importance,... [ Continue Reading ]
Against the LORD] In rebelling against Jehovah's anointed King they were rebelling against Jehovah Himself.... [ Continue Reading ]
BANDS] The words of the kings are of course metaphorical; they were seeking to cast off what was to them a foreign yoke.... [ Continue Reading ]
The contrast between Jehovah in His majesty and the puny plotters is dramatically introduced.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN] i.e. when the plot ripens into action.... [ Continue Reading ]
YET] lit. 'and.' UPON MY HOLY HILL OF ZION] Zion is the eastern hill of ancient. Jerusalem on which the 'city of David' with its stronghold was built; it is used poetically for Jerusalem the holy city: cp. Isaiah 64:10.... [ Continue Reading ]
The Messianic King now speaks, quoting the promise given to David, the father of the dynasty, through Nathan the prophet: see 2 Samuel 7:4. THOU _ART_ MY SON; THIS DAY, etc.] on the day of his anointing, when he was set apart to his high office. But some refer it to the day of his birth. In any case... [ Continue Reading ]
A ROD OF IRON] because they are rebels who can only be restrained by repressive methods.... [ Continue Reading ]
BE WISE] The obvious lesson from the truths stated in the preceding w.... [ Continue Reading ]
KISS THE SON] This is a difficult passage. The translation of the AV is only got by assuming that the Psalmist has chosen the Aramaic word for 'Son' instead of the Hebrew. LXX renders, 'Lay hold of instruction,' which is in harmony with the general drift of the passage, and is supported by the Targu... [ Continue Reading ]