Comment on Psalm 2

Psalms 2 -
Title - We shall not greatly err in our summary of this sublime Psalm if we call it The Psalm of Messiah the Prince; for it sets forth as in a wondrous vision the tumult of the people against the Lord's anointed, the determinate purpose of God to exalt his own Son, and the ultimate reign of that Son over all his enemies. Let us read it with the eye of faith, beholding, as in a glass, the final triumph of our Lord Jesus Christ over all his enemies. Lowth has the following remarks upon this Psalm: “The establishment of David upon his throne, notwithstanding the opposition made to it by his enemies, is the subject of the Psalm. David sustains in it a twofold character, literal and allegorical. If we read over the Psalm, first with an eye to the literal David, the meaning is obvious, and put beyond all dispute by the sacred history. There is indeed an uncommon glow in the expression and sublimity in the figures, and the diction is now and then exaggerated, as it were on purpose to intimate, and lead us to the contemplation of higher and more important matters concealed within. In compliance with this admonition, it we take another survey of the Psalm as relative to the person and concerns of the spiritual David, a noble series of events immediately rises to view, and the meaning becomes more evident, as well as more exalted. The colouring which may perhaps seem too bold and glaring for the king of Israel, will no longer appear so when laid upon his great Antitype. After we have thus attentively considered the subjects apart, let us look at them together, and we shall behold the full beauty and majesty of this most charming poem. We shall perceive the two senses very distinct from each other, yet conspiring in perfect harmony, and bearing a wonderful resemblance in every feature and lineament, while the analogy between them is so exactly preserved, that either may pass for the original from whence the other was copied. New light is continually cast upon the phraseology, fresh weight and dignity are added to the sentiments, till, gradually ascending from things below to things above, from human affairs to those that are Divine, they bear the great important theme upwards with them, and at length place it in the height and brightness of heaven.”
Division - This Psalm will be best understood if it be viewed as a four-fold picture. (In Psa_2:1, Psa_2:2, Psa_2:3) the Nations are raging; (Psa_2:4 to Psa_2:6) the Lord in heaven derides them; (Psa_2:7 to Psa_2:9) the Son proclaims the decree; and (from Psa_2:10 to end) advice is given to the kings to yield obedience to the Lord's anointed. This division is not only suggested by the sense, but is warranted by the poetic form of the Psalm, which naturally falls into four stanzas of three verses each.
Hints to Preachers
Whole Psalm - Shows us the nature of sin, and the terrible results of it if it could reign.
Psa_2:1 - Nothing is more irrational than irreligion. A weighty theme.
The reasons why sinners rebel against God, stated, refuted, lamented, and repented of.
The crowning display of human sin in man's hatred of the Mediator.
Psa_2:1 and Psa_2:2 - Opposition to the gospel, unreasonable and ineffectual - Two sermons by John Newton.
Psa_2:1 and Psa_2:2 - These verses show that all trust in man in the service of God is vain. Inasmuch as men oppose Christ, it is not good to hang our trust upon the multitude for their number, the earnest for their zeal, the mighty for their countenance, or the wise for their counsel, since all these are far oftener against Christ than for him.
Psa_2:2 - “Spurgeon's Sermons,” No, 495, “The Greatest Trial on Record.”
Psa_2:3 - The true reason of the opposition of sinners to Christ's truth, viz.: their hatred of the restraints of godliness.
Psa_2:4 - God's derision of, the rebellious, both now and hereafter.
Psa_2:5 - The voice of wrath. One of a series of sermons upon the voices of the divine attributes.
Psa_2:6 - Christ's sovereignty.
1. The opposition to it: “yet.”
2. The certainty of its existence: “Yet have I set.”
3. The power which maintains it: “have I set.”
4. The place of its manifestation: “my holy hill of Zion.”
5. The blessings flowing from it.
Psa_2:7 - The divine decree concerning Christ, in connection with the decrees of election and providence. The Sonship of Jesus.
This verse teacheth us faithfully to declare and humbly to claim, the gifts and calling that God hath bestowed upon us. - Thomas Wilcocks.
Psa_2:8 - Christ's inheritance - William Jay.
Prayer indispensable. - Jesus must ask.
Psa_2:9 - The ruin of the wicked. Certain, irresistible, terrible, complete, irretrievable, “like a potter's vessel.”
The destruction of systems of error and oppression to be expected. The gospel an iron rod quite able to break mere pots of man's making.
Psa_2:10 - True wisdom, fit for kings and judges, lies in obeying Christ.
The gospel, a school for those who would learn how to rule and judge well. They may consider its principles, its exemplar, its spirit, etc.
Psa_2:11 - Mingled experience. See the case of the women returning from the sepulchre. Mat_28:8. This maybe rendered a very comforting subject, if the Holy Spirit direct the mind of the preacher.
True religion; compound of many virtues and emotions;
Psa_2:12 - An earnest invitation.
1. The command
2. The argument.
3. The benediction upon the obedient.