Psalms 2

 

לָמָּה רָגְשׁוּ גוֹיִם וּלְאֻמִּים יֶהְגּוּ־רִיק׃   2:1

Psal. 2:1   Why do the nations rage,

                            and the peoples roar in vain?

First the psalmist asks a question.

יִתְיַצְּבוּ מַלְכֵי־אֶרֶץ וְרֹוזְנִים נֹוסְדוּ־יָחַד עַל־יְהוָה וְעַל־מְשִׁיחֹו׃   2:2

Psal. 2:2   The kings of the earth would set themselves,

                            and the princes would take counsel together,

                    against the Lord and against His anointed.

Although he seems to be identifying here the targets of the nations’ kings’ hostility, that is, the Lord and His

anointed, I suspect he may also be alluding to why the peoples are raging and roaring.

נְנַתְּקָה אֶת־מוֹסְרוֹתֵימוֹ וְנַשְׁלִיכָה מִמֶּנּוּ עֲבֹתֵימוֹ׃   2:3

Psal. 2:3   “Let us break their bonds

                             and cast off their cords from ourselves.”

Next he offers an example of what the peoples roar.

יוֹשֵׁב בַּשָּׁמַיִם יִשְׂחָק אֲדֹנָי יִלְעַג־לָמוֹ׃   2:4

Psal. 2:4   The Dweller in heaven shall laugh;

                              the Lord will hold them in derision.

I believe that in this verse the psalmist is referring to the kings, not the people.  But he may also imply that the

peoples are a target as well, as they seem not to be relying on the Lord for rescue from their unfortunate

circumstances.

אָז יְדַבֵּר אֵלֵימוֹ בְאַפּוֹ וּבַחֲרוֹנוֹ יְבַהֲלֵמוֹ׃   2:5

Psal. 2:5   Then He will speak to them in His “anger,”

                              and in His great “displeasure” He will make them afraid.

וַאֲנִי נָסַכְתִּי מַלְכִּי עַל־צִיּוֹן הַר־קָדְשִׁי׃   2:6

Psal. 2:6   “But I have anointed My king over Zion, mountain of My holiness.”

Here and in subsequent verses, quoting the Lord, he contrasts the kings of the nations with himself, humble,

faithful, and obedient.  Many scholars are uncertain as to who the anointed is, David or the Messiah, but I believe

that v. 2:2 leaves little doubt that it is indeed David.

אֲסַפְּרָה אֶל חֹק יְהוָה אָמַר אֵלַי בְּנִי אַתָּה אֲנִי הַיֹּום יְלִדְתִּיךָ׃   2:7

Psal. 2:7   “I will inscribe it as an enactment.”

                              The Lord said to me, “You are My son;

                    this day have I begotten you.”

שְׁאַל מִמֶּנִּי וְאֶתְּנָה גוֹיִם נַחֲלָתֶךָ וַאֲחֻזָּתְךָ אַפְסֵי־אָרֶץ׃   2:8

Psal. 2:8   “Ask of Me, and I will give the nations as your inheritances,

                               and the ends of the earth as your possessions.”

תְּרֹעֵם בְּשֵׁבֶט בַּרְזֶל כִּכְלִי יוֹצֵר תְּנַפְּצֵם׃   2:9

Psal. 2:9   You shall punish them with a rod of iron;

                               like vessels of a potter You shall shatter them.

וְעַתָּה מְלָכִים הַשְׂכִּילוּ הִוָּסְרוּ שֹׁפְטֵי אָרֶץ׃   2:10

Psal. 2:10   So now, kings, be wise;

                               be chastened, you judges of the earth!

עִבְדוּ אֶת־יְהוָה בְּיִרְאָה וְגִילוּ בִּרְעָדָה׃   2:11

Psal. 2:11   Serve the Lord with reverence,

                               and rejoice with trembling!

נַשְּׁקוּ־בַר פֶּן־יֶאֱנַף וְתֹאבְדוּ דֶרֶךְ כִּי־יִבְעַר כִּמְעַט אַפּוֹ אַשְׁרֵי כָּל־חוֹסֵי בוֹ׃   2:12

Psal. 2:12   Do pure homage, lest He become “angry,”

                               and you perish when a little of His “anger” is suddenly kindled.

                      Happy are all who take refuge in Him.

 

[Return to Psalms Chapters]   [Prev.:  Psal. 1]   [Next:  Psal. 3]