Psalms 2

This Psalm is perfectly appropriate to our Lord, the true “Messiah,” acknowledged by Peter to be “the Christ, the Son of the living God”: cp. vers. 2, 7 with John vi. 69. And to Him it is expressly referred in Acts iv. 25; xiii. 33; Heb. 1, 5; v. 5; Rev. ii. 27.

1 the heathen. Or, “the nations.” In the next clause the word is also in the plural: “peoples” meaning large communities, or masses of mankind.

2 the kings of the earth set themselves, etc. In Acts iv. 25-27 this passage is applied to the union of Herod and Pilate-Jew and Gentile-against Jesus Christ; but the terms are general, and may be applied to every combination against Christ and His religion.

His Anointed. Or, “His Messiah”; which is a modified form of the Hebrew word here used. “Christ” is its Greek equivalent. Anointing was used to inaugurate priests (Exod. xxx. 30), kings (1 Kings i. 39), and in some cases prophets (1 Kings xix. 16).

4. He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh, etc. This highly figurative language must not be taken to represent the Most High as exulting over the sins or miseries of men. It is a vivid expression of the tranquillity with which Jehovah regards all the opposition of His enemies, however formidable it may appear to us. It suggests, too, the cheerful confidence with which the Christian should view all attacks upon the Gospel and the kingdom of God.

7. I will declare the decree. More precisely, “I will tell of a decree.” These are the words of the Anointed King.

This day have I begotten Thee. That is, I have announced Thee as my only begotten Son. Hence the Apostle Paul (Acts xiii. 33; Rom. i. 4) applies these words to the resurrection of Christ; that being the time when His humiliation was terminated, and He was “declared to be the Son of God with power”: see also Heb. i. 5; v. 5; and ep. Col. i. 18.

12. Kiss the Son. i.e., “Do Him homage as your Sovereign”: a kiss being an ancient mode of expressing veneration: see 1 Sam. x. 1; 1 Kings xix. 18; Hos. xiii. 2.

from the way. Rather, “in the way”; the way of error which ye have chosen.

when His wrath, etc. Or, “For His wrath will within a little (i.e., in a little while, or easily) be kindled.”