Psalms 2:1

Why The Psalmist gazes on the great tumult of the nations mustering for war, till the sight forces from him this question of mingled astonishment and indignation. Their insurrection is at once causeless and hopeless.

the heathen Better, as R.V., the nations. Gôyim, variously rendered in A.V. nations, heathen, Gentiles, denotes the non-Israelite nations as distinguished from and often in antagonism to the people of Jehovah. Sometimes the word has a moral significance and may rightly be rendered heathen.

rage Rather, as in marg., tumultuously assemble; or, throng together. Cp. the cognate subst. in Psalms 64:2, insurrection, R.V. tumult, marg. throng.

the people R.V. rightly, peoples. Comp. Psalms 44:2; Psalms 44:14.

imagine Or, meditate: the same word as in Psalms 1:2; but in a bad sense, as in Psalms 38:12.