Psalms 2
PATThis Psalm, under the history of David, whom, from a low. and afflicted condition, God raised to a throne, and, notwithstanding all the opposition made against it, first by Saul, and then by others, settled, him in it, contains u most illustrious prophecy of the kingdom of Christ, whom God raised even from the dead, made the King of glory* and, notwithstanding all the scribes and pharisee^ Herod Digitized. by Microsoft® CG [psalm nr. and other princes, could do to hinder it, enlarged his kingdom to the uttermost parts of the earth. Vcr. 1. rrllY do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?] What frenzy is this, which makes the Philistines, and other neighbouring nations, (2 Sam. v. 17, &c. viii. 1, &c.) as I foresee the pharisecs and their partakers will do hereafter, storm thus furiously, and bandy together with so much noise and tumult? why do they contrive to hinder that which the power of God will irresistibly bring to pass? Vcr. 2. The Icings of the earth set themselves, and the riders take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his Anointed, saying.] Their kings and governors are risen up, and lay their heads together, to oppose the design of G od, who hath anointed me king over his people: just as Herod, and Pontius Pilate, and the rulers of Israel, (Acts iv. 27.) will conspire against Christ, and seek to dethrone him, when he is made, by God the Father, King of all the world.
Psalms 2:3
Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords front m+. Let us not submit, say they, to this new king, who pretends to reign by Divine authority; but resolutely deny to be bound to his obedience, and throw off the yoke which he and his ministers would impose upon us.
Psalms 2:4
He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. As if they were stronger than he, whose throne is in heaven: who, as he contemns their vain attempts, so will expose them to the scorn and derision of all those who shall behold their folly.
Psalms 2:5
Tlien shall he speak unto them in his wj’ath, and vex them in his sore displeasure. Even then, when they think they have done their business, they shall find the tokens of the Divine vengeance against them; and if they will not desist from their opposition to him, he will utterly confound them with a destruction so terrible and so remarkable, as if he had called to them from heaven, and said, Ver. G. Yet lutve I set my King upon my holy hill ofZionJ] See how madly you set yourselves against my will; for in spite of all that you can do, I have anointed and set up David, who rules by my authority in the hill of Zion, where I have a peculiar residence: as in time to come (let all his enemies do what they can to hinder it) I will anoint one of his posterity to sit upon the throne of glory at the right hand of the Majesty on high.
Psalms 2:7
I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son;" this day I have begotten thee:. Such I am sure is the decree of heaven, which I here promulgate to all the world: for, from a low and poor condition, the Lord hath raised me to the highest dignity. This very day, by his order, I begin to reign, and may call it the birth-day of my kingdom: which is but a slender type of a far more strange and greater exaltation of his son Christ, whom he hath determined to raise again to life after he is dead and buried, (Acts xiii. 33. Rom. i. 4.) and then to crown with glory and honour in the heavens. Vcr. 8. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.] If you will not believe this royal edict, you shall shortly see, not only this nation of the Jews, but the Philistines, the Edomitcs, Moabites, Syrians, and other remoter countries as far as Euphrates (whom God, according to his ancient grant, Exod. xxiii. 31. Ezraiv. 1C. 20. hath at my request given unto me), subdued under my feet (Psal. lx. 6, &c. 2 Sam. viii.) <s all the nations of the caTth shall be under his son Christ.
Psalms 2:9
Tlion shall break them with a rod of iron; thou shall dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel. They shall never be able to stand before me (much less before him): for he hath given me a sceptre so powerful (and to him, one infinitely more irresistible), that they who will not bow unto it, and be ruled by it, shall be broken in pieces as easily and irreparably as an earthen pot is with a rod of iron. Vcr. 10. Be wise now therefore, O ye kings; be instructed, ye judges of the earthy And therefore let all kings and governors of the earth be advised by me; take heed what yon do, and understand your own interest so well, as not to oppose the decree of Heaven; or if you have begun to set yourselves against the Lord’s anointed, be not so vain as to continue in that folly, but repent, and correct you* error.
Psalms 2:11
Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. If you would be safe, surrender up yourselves to become his subjects, and be afraid to incur his displeasure by any disobedience. You ought indeed to rejoice, that you may be so happy as to be under the government of so great and so gracious a Prince; but that very thing should make you the more fearful to offend his majesty.
Psalms 2:12
Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him. To whom I counsel you to go and do your homage, and to pay him all the honour that is due to God’s vicegerent; lest he grow angry at your obstinate refusal to submit unto him, and you perish in that rebellious course, when his wrath breaks out suddenly, like an unquenchable fire against you. Blessed are all they that follow this advice, and fly to him as their mighty protector and deliverer.