Psalms 2

A Prophecy concerning the Kingdom of the Messia, our LORD Jesus Christ: together with an earnest charge, and summons to all the Kings and Rulers of the earth, for the submitting of themselves unto this King with all obedience.

1. Why do the Heathen [Or, Nations, both Jews and Gentiles, see Acts 4.v.27.] rage, [Or, stir, make commotions, insurrections, run tumultuously together. The Hebrew word can be taken for, gathering together, meeting in assemblies, keeping of conventicles; and likewise for, raging, being turbulent and tumultuous; as is to be gathered by Psal.55.15.& 64. V.3. Dan.6.7.] and the Nations meditate vanity? [i.e. vain and frivoulous projects, whereby they shall not be able to frustrate the counsel of God, but bring themselves, and run into the danger of their own destruction.]

2. The Kings of the Earth do set up themselves, and the Princes [Or Counsellors, Senators] consult together against the LORD, and against his Anointed, [or Messia, i.e. the Anointed, viz. The LORD Jesus Christ, whose Type David was, in his being anointed and enthroned into the Kingdom] (saying):

3. Let us tear [Or, pull down, pluck off, so also Jer.5.5.] their bonds, [viz. Gods, and of his Anointed, together with those of his Ministers, whereby they endeavour to put and bind them under the yoak of Christ, and the obedience of his Gospel. Compare 2 Christ, and the obedience of his Gospel. Compare 2 Cor.10.5. Bonds were a token of subjection or Servitude, See Psalms 107:14. Jerem.2.20. and 27.2,3,5,6.] ad cast their ropes away from us.

4. He that dwelleth in Heaven, [Or sitteth, as Judge. See Psalms 9:8, 9. And 29.10. and 55.20.] shall laugh; [Spoken of God after the manner of men, to shew how God doth slight the counsels and practises of the Enemies of Christ. See Job 5.on v.22.] the LORD shall deride them.

5. Then shall he speak unto them in his anger; [when they are about to set their devices a work against Christ; then shall he so give them to understand and feel his wrath by his judgements and plagues upon them, as if every stroake and pinch of the same, were a check and item from his mouth, that he was highly offended and wroth with them.] and shall terrify them in his fierceness. [or burning wrath.]

6. Yet have I [These are the words of God the Father, of his son Jesus Christ] anointed my King [Heb.properly, power over, super infused my King, viz. With oil, i.e. anointed.] over Zion, the hill of my holiness; [i.e. my holy hill; or where (that am holiness it self,) have mine abode and dwelling; namely my Church, typified by the hill of Zion, where the Ark of the LORD, and Davids Royal Palace stood, and afterwards hard by it upon the hill Morija, the Temple and public administration of Gods worship. See Isaiah 60:14. Heb.12.22. Rev.14 1.]

7. I shall relate [These are the words of the Son of God] of the Decree: [The Hebrew particle el is sometimes taken for of, See Job 42.on v.7.as if one should say; concerning, or touching this or that, i.e. of this or that matter. See likewise Psalm 59.on v.18. Oth. I shall relate (or rehearse) the Decree (or commandment) or, according to the commandment, [viz. Which my Father gave me. Otherwise for Decree, there may be put, institution, statute, ordinance; viz which the Father made in the behalf of him, as his onely begotten and eternal Son, as is further declared in the sequel; being the foundation, whereupon God established him head and LORD over his Church. See of this Decree ver.6,8, &c. Compare Phil.2.6,9, &c. Col.1.15,16,17,18.] the Lord hath said unto me: Thou art my son, this day have I begotten thee. [This must be understood of the eternal, incomprehensible, divine generation of the son by the Father. Heb.1.5. the truth and evidence whereof hath variously been manifested in the Old, but principally in the New Testament, and most convingly by his resurrection from the dead. See Acts 13:32,33. Rom.1.4.]

8. Ask of me, [See John 12:28. and chap.17. Heb.5.7,9.] and I shall give the heathen for thine inheritance, and the ends of the earth for thy possession. [i.e. not onely the Jews, but all the inhabitants of the Earth shall be subjected to thy Kingdom: of whom thou shalt save the faithful, and deal with the retractory, as followeth; as for the manner of speaking used here, compare Lev.25.46. Isa.14.2. Zeph.2.9.]

9. Thou shalt bruise them with an Iron Scepter, [Or staff, i.e. thou shalt destroy the disobedient and rebellious, by thy divine power and righteous Judgements.] thou shalt break them in pieces [so that the pieces shall be compare Isaiah 30:14. Jeremiah 13:13, etc.] like a potters vessel. [or, a formers, i.e. porters, or pot-makers.

10. Now then ye kings deal understandingly [or, prudently] be corrected [or, disciplined, instructed, in formed. See of the Hebrew word, Pro.7.on v.22.] ye judges of the Earth.

11. Serve the LORD with fear, [viz. With filial fear and reverence, or standing in aw and fear of the Lord, as good and well-bred children do of their good father.] and rejoice with trembling. [in regard and over the great salvation , which is offered unto you by this great and gracious God, beyond and against all your deservings, for to be apprehended and enjoyed by faith in his onely begotten Son, whose despisers shall fearfully perish. Compare Hosea 11:10,11. Phil.2.12.]

12. Kiss the son [i.e. honour him as mine eternal Son, take and acknowledge him for your King, believe in him, and be obedient to him. Compare Gen.1.on v.40. and 1 Sam.10.1.] left he be angry, and ye perish (upon) the way, [or, by the way, i.e. in the midst of your wild course and disobedience] if his anger should kindle but a little, [or, suddenly, hastily, or a short time. See 2 Chron.12.7. Psalms 81:15. Isaiah 26:20. Oth.For his anger shall kindle shortly] happy indeed are all they that trust in him.