II. As Psalms 1 describes the results of fulfilling the covenant for the individual by contrasting the condition of those who fail in their allegiance, so Psalms 2 shows how the covenant relation exalts Israel over the heathen; but some particular political situation seems to be indicated. Jerusalem... [ Continue Reading ]
WHY DO THE HEATHEN RAGE? — Better, _Why_ _did nations band together,_ or _muster?_ The Hebrew occurs only here as a verb, but derivatives occur in Pss. 4:14, Psalms 64:2: in the first, of a _festive crowd;_ in the second, of a _conspiracy allied with some evil intent._ This fixes the meaning here, _... [ Continue Reading ]
SET THEMSELVES — _i.e., with hostile intent,_ as in Jeremiah 46:4, where the same word is used of warriors: “Stand forth with your helmets.” RULERS. — Properly, _grave dignitaries._ TAKE COUNSEL. — Better, _have taken their pians,_ and are now mustering to carry them into effect. Notice the change... [ Continue Reading ]
LET US BREAK. — The whispered purpose now breaks out into loud menace, and we hear their defiance pass along the ranks of the rebels. CORDS. — The LXX. and Vulg. have “yoke,” which is in keeping with the metaphor of a restive animal. (Comp. Isaiah 58:6; Isaiah 10:27.)... [ Continue Reading ]
HE THAT SITTETH. — Here the psalm, with a sublimity truly Hebrew, turns from the wild confusion on earth to the spectacle of God looking down with mingled scorn and wrath on the fruitless attempts of the heathen against His chosen people. LAUGH. — We speak of the “irony of events “; the Hebrew ascr... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN. — An emphatic particle, marking the climax; possibly equal to “Lo! behold.” The grand roll of the words in the original is like the roll of the thunder, and is rendered more effective by its contrast with the quiet manner of Psalms 2:4. AND VEX THEM. — Literally, _and greatly_ (the verb is in... [ Continue Reading ]
YET HAVE I. — The pronoun is very emphatic: “You _dare_ to revolt, it is _I_ who have given this office to the king.” SET. — Literally, _poured out,_ as of melted metal; used of the Divine Spirit (Isaiah 29:10), of a libation (Exodus 30:9), and of pouring melted metal into a mould (Isaiah 40:19); fr... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL DECLARE. — The anointed king now speaks himself, recalling the covenant made with him by Jehovah at his coronation. I WILL TELL. — Better, _Let me speak concerning the appointment._ The word rendered _decree_ in our version is derived from a root meaning to engrave, and so stands for any for... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU SHALT BREAK. — The LXX. translated, “thou shalt pasture them,” understanding by the rod (Heb., _shevet_)_,_ as in Leviticus 27:32, a shepherd’s crook. (Comp. Ezekiel 20:37; Micah 7:14.) Elsewhere the rod is a sceptre (Psalms 125:3); in Proverbs 22:15 it is a rod of correction. The use to be mad... [ Continue Reading ]
KISS THE SON. — This familiar translation must be surrendered. It has against it the weight of all the ancient versions except the Syriac. Thus the Chaldaic has, “receive instruction “; LXX., followed by Vulg., “lay hold of discipline.” Symmachus and Jerome render “pay pure adoration.”Aquila has “ki... [ Continue Reading ]