PSALM II _This Psalm treats of the opposition raised, both by Jew and_ _Gentile, against the kingdom of Christ_, 1-3. _Christ's victory, and the confusion of his enemies_, 4-6. _The promulgation of the Gospel after his resurrection_, 7-9. _A call to all the potentates and judges of the earth t... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 2:2. _AGAINST HIS ANOINTED_] על משיחיה _al Meshichiah_, "Against his _Messiah_." - _Chaldee_. But as this signifies the _anointed_ person, it may refer first to _David_, as it does secondly to _Christ_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 2:3. _LET US BREAK THEIR BANDS_] These are the words of the confederate heathen powers; and here, as Bishop Horne well remarks, "we may see the ground of opposition; namely, the unwillingness of rebellious nature to submit to the obligations of Divine laws, which cross the interests, an... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 2:4. _HE THAT SITTETH IN THE HEAVENS_] Whose kingdom ruleth over all, and is _above_ all might and power, human and diabolical. _Shall laugh_. Words spoken after the manner of men; shall utterly contemn their puny efforts; shall beat down their pride, assuage their malice, and confound... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 2:5. _THEN SHALL HE SPEAK UNTO THEM IN HIS WRATH_] He did so to the Jews who rejected the Gospel, and vexed and ruined them by the Roman armies; he did so with the opposing Roman emperors, destroying all the contending factions, till he brought the empire under the dominion of one, and... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 2:6. _I SET MY KING UPON MY HOLY HILL OF ZION._] Here the Gospel shall be first preached; here the kingdom of Christ shall be founded; and from hence shall the doctrine of the Lord go out into all the earth.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 2:7. _I WILL DECLARE THE DECREE_] These words are supposed to have been spoken by the Messiah. I will declare to the world the decree, the purpose of God to redeem them by my blood, and to sanctify them by my Spirit. My death shall prove that the required _atonement_ has been made; my _... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 2:8. _ASK OF ME, AND I SHALL GIVE THEE_] Here a _second_ branch of Christ's office as Saviour of the world is referred to; viz., his _mediatorial_ office. Having died as an _atoning sacrifice_, and _risen again_ from the dead, he was now to _make intercession_ for mankind; and in virtue... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 2:9. _THOU SHALT BREAK THEM WITH A ROD OF IRON_] This may refer to the _Jewish nation_, whose final rejection of the Gospel was foreseen, and in whose place the Gentiles or _heathen_ were brought into the Church of Christ. They were dispossessed of their land, their _city_ was razed to... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 2:10. _BE WISE - O YE KINGS_] An exhortation of the Gospel to the rulers of all kingdoms, nations, and states, to whom it may be sent. All these should listen to its maxims, be governed by its precepts, and rule their subjects according to its dictates. _BE INSTRUCTED, YE JUDGES_] Rath... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 2:11. _SERVE THE LORD WITH FEAR_] A general direction to all men. _Fear God_ with that _reverence_ which is due to his supreme _majesty_. _Serve_ him as _subjects_ should their _sovereign_, and as _servants_ should their _master_. _REJOICE WITH TREMBLING._] If ye serve God aright, ye c... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 2:12. _KISS THE SON, LEST HE BE ANGRY_] It is remarkable that the word son (בר _bar_, a Chaldee word) is not found in any of the versions except the _Syriac_, nor indeed any thing equivalent to it. The _Chaldee, Vulgate, Septuagint, Arabic_, and _AEthiopic_, have a term which signifie... [ Continue Reading ]