Psalms 2

The Lord's anointed

hy are the nations so angry? Why do they waste their time with futile plans?a ²The kings of the earth prepare for battle; the rulers plot together against the Lord and against his anointed one.b ³“Let us break their chains,” they cry, “and free ourselves from slavery to God.”c ⁴But the one who rules in heaven laughs. The Lord scoffs at them.d

⁵Then in anger he rebukes them, terrifying them with his fierce fury.e ⁶For the Lord declares, “I have placed my chosen king on the throne in Jerusalem, on my holy mountain.”f ⁷The king proclaims the Lord’s decree: “The Lord said to me, ‘You are my son. Today I have become your Father.g

⁸Only ask, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance, the whole earth as your possession.h ⁹You will break them with an iron rod and smash them like clay pots.’”i ¹⁰Now then, you kings, act wisely! Be warned, you rulers of the earth!

¹¹Serve the Lord with reverent fear, and rejoice with trembling.j ¹²Submit to God’s royal son, or he will become angry, and you will be destroyed in the midst of all your activities— for his anger flares up in an instant. But what joy for all who take refuge in him!k

Commentary

Psalms 2 is a royal psalm that depicts the nations in futile rebellion against God and his anointed king. The psalm moves from the raging of earthly rulers to the sovereign laughter of God, then to the decree of the Son, and finally to a call for submission. It establishes the David

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Bible Dictionary· Psalms 2(10)

Battle Cry Father Fury Heaven Iron Jerusalem Rod Throne Why

References· Psalms 2

a: v.1 — Predetermined enmity of the kings: Acts 4:25; Acts 4:25-26, Revelation 17:14, Psalms 46:6, Psalms 21:11, Psalms 83:4-8, Acts 17:5-6, Matthew 21:38, Luke 22:22-23, Isaiah 8:9, Psalms 18:42
b: v.2 — Title: Anointed (Christ): John 1:41, Acts 2:36, Matthew 26:3; Matthew 26:59, Matthew 27:1, Revelation 17:12-14, Psalms 45:7, Luke 23:11-12, Proverbs 21:30, Acts 10:38, John 1:41, Psalms 48:4, Psalms 74:23
c: v.3 — Jeremiah 5:5, Luke 19:14, 1 Peter 2:7-8, Luke 19:27
d: v.4 — Psalms 37:13, Psalms 59:8, Proverbs 1:26, Isaiah 40:22, Psalms 11:4, Isaiah 57:15, Psalms 115:3, Psalms 53:5, Psalms 68:33, Isaiah 66:1
e: v.5 — Isaiah 11:4, Revelation 19:15, Psalms 110:5-6, Psalms 21:9, Psalms 78:49-50, Luke 19:27, Isaiah 66:6, Zechariah 1:15, Psalms 50:16-22, Matthew 23:33-36
f: v.6 — Your character: Holiness: John 8:46, Revelation 3:7, John 12:12; Title: King: Matthew 2:2; Revelation 14:1, Matthew 28:18, Isaiah 9:6-7, Ephesians 1:22, Hebrews 12:22, Psalms 110:1-2, Psalms 45:6, Psalms 48:1-2, Philippians 2:9-11, Psalms 132:13-14
g: v.7 — Declared the Beloved Son: Matthew 3:17, Romans 1:4, Acts 13:33, Luke 1:31, John 9:35; Crucifixion and resurrection implied: Acts 13:29; Hebrews 5:5, Acts 13:33, Hebrews 1:5-6, Matthew 3:17, Matthew 17:5, Psalms 89:27, Romans 1:4, John 3:16, John 1:14, Matthew 16:16
h: v.8 — He will rule the nations with a rod of iron: Revelation 2:27, Revelation 12:5, Revelation 19:15; The Messiah would ask God for His inheritance: John 17:4, Matthew 28:18; Psalms 22:27, Psalms 89:27, Psalms 72:8, John 17:4-5, Daniel 7:13
i: v.9 — Revelation 2:26-27, Revelation 12:5, Psalms 89:23, Revelation 19:15, Psalms 110:5-6, Isaiah 30:14, Psalms 21:8-9, Jeremiah 19:11, Daniel 2:44, Matthew 21:44
j: v.11 — Philippians 2:12, Hebrews 12:28-29, Hebrews 12:25, Psalms 119:119-120, Psalms 89:7, Hebrews 4:1-2, Psalms 97:1, Psalms 95:1-8, Psalms 99:1
k: v.12 — Life comes by faith in Him: John 20:31, John 3:36; Psalms 40:4, John 5:23, Psalms 34:8, Psalms 84:12, Isaiah 30:18, Jeremiah 17:7, Proverbs 16:20, 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9, 1 Peter 2:6, Revelation 6:16-17

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