Psalms 2 - Introduction

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 2

This psalm is the second in order, and so it is called in Acts 13:33; which shows that the book of Psalms was in the same form in the apostles' days as now, and as it ever had been; and though it is without a title, yet certain it is that it is a psalm of David, since the twelve apostles of Christ with one voice ascribe it to him, in which no doubt they the generally received sense of the Jewish Acts 4:24; and the Messiah is the subject of and that it is a prophecy concerning him, his person, office, and kingdom, appears from the express mention of the Lord's Anointed, or Messiah, in his being set as King over Zion, notwithstanding the opposition made against him; from the person spoken of being called the Son of God, and that in such sense as angels and men are not, and therefore cannot belong to any creature; and from his having so large an inheritance, and such power over the Heathen; and from the reverence, service, and obedience due to him from the kings and judges of the earth; and from the trust and confidence which is to be put in him, which ought not to be placed but in a divine Person; and more especially this appears from several passages cited out of it in the New Testament, and applied to the Messiah, Acts 4:25, to which may be added, that the ancient Jewish doctors interpreted this psalm of the Messiah s; and some of the modern ones own that it may be understood either of David or of the Messiah, and that some things are clearer of the Messiah than of David t; and some particular passages in it are applied to him both by ancient and later writers among the Jews, as Psalms 2:1, "Why do the Heathen rage", c. u Psalms 2:6, "I have set", c. w Psalms 2:7, "I will declare the decree", c. x, and Psalms 2:8, "Ask of me", c. y and we may very safely interpret the whole of him.

s Jarchi in loc. t Kimchi in v. 12. Aben Ezra in v. 6. 12. u T. Bab. Avodah Zarah, fol. 3. 2. Pirke Eliezer, c. 19. w R. Saadiah Gaon in Dan. vii. 13. x Yalkut Simeoni, par. 2. fol. 90. 2. Zohar in Numb. fol. 82. 2. Maimon in Misn Sanhedrin, c. 11. 1. Abarbinel Mashmiah Jeshuah, fol. 37. 4. . 38. 1. y T. Bab. Succah, fol. 52. 1. Bereshit Rabba, s. 44. fol. 38. 4.