Annotations on the Pentateuch, Psalms, Song of Songs, Biblical commentary 6 · Book 1 · Commentary on psalm 2
PSALME II.
1 David prophesieth of the rage of Iewes and Gentiles against Christ. 4 Gods wrath against them for it. 6 Christ is established King, 7 declared to be the Sonne of God, 8 heire and ruler of the world. 10 Kings are exhorted to submit unto him.
WHy doe the heathens tumultuously rage, and the peoples meditate vanitie? The Kings of the earth set themselves, and the Princes doe plot together against Iehovah, and against his Christ.
Let us breake their bands, and cast their cords from us. Hee that sitteth in the heavens laugheth, the Lord mocketh at them.
Then will he speake unto them in his anger, and in his wrath hee will suddenly trouble them. And I have anointed my King upon Sion, the mountaine of my holinesse.
I will tell the decree; Iehovah said unto me, thou art my sonne; I this day begat thee.
Aske of me and I will give the Heathens for thine inheritance, & the ends of the earth for thy firme possession. Thou shalt roughly rule them with a rod of iron, as the vessell of a pottter thou shalt scatter them in peeces.
And now, O ye Kings, be prudent, be nurtured ye Iudges of the earth. Serve yee Iehovah with feare, and be glad with trembling. Kisse ye the sonne lest he be angry, and ye perish in the way, when his anger shall burne suddenly; O blessed are all that hope for safetie in him.
Annotations.
WHY] or, For what? David was the writer of this Psalme, (as the Greeke prefixeth this title, A Psalme of David:) and he beginneth with marvelling at the rage and folly of the Iewes and Gentiles, in persecuting Christ and his Church, Acts 4. 25, &c. And as David himselfe was a figure of Christ in his kingdome, and a father of him according to the flesh: so suffered hee the like opposition at the hands of his owne people, and of the nations round about him, 2 Sam. 2. 10. and 3. 1. and 5. 17. and 10. 6, 7, &c. Tumultuously rage] or, burtle together, conven… with rage and uprore mutinously. This word is also used in Daniels case; Dan. 6. 6. 11. and after in Psal. 64. 3. The Greeke eph…axan, whereby the holy Ghost tranflateth it, Act. 4▪ 25. denoteth rage, pride, and fiercenesse, as of horses that neigh and rush into the battell. peoples] or nations: under these names are comprehended the Iewes with the Gentiles, Act. 4. 27, 28. meditate vanitie] mutter a vaine or emptie thing, which shall have no effect. And here the Hebrew changeth the time (as it doth very often otherwhere▪) will meditate▪ noting by such phrase a continuance of the action, as they that did still or usually meditate vaine things. But the holy Ghost in Act. 4. 25. keepeth like time here as before: whose example I follow, according to the proprietie of our tongue. So after in this Psalme and many other. The Hebrew text it selfe sometime doth the like, as Isai. 37. 3…. compared with 2 Kings 19. 33. See the notes on Psal. 18. 7.
Vers. 2. Set themselves] or present themselves, will stand up, noting a setled purpose in the heart, with a standing up in person to act the same, 1 Chr. 1…. 14. princes] rulers, or pri…e counsellors, subtile, prudent, and imployed in making decrees, Prov. 8. 15. next therefore in place to Kings, and joyned with them, as here, so in Iudg. 5. …. Hab. 1. 10. Prov. 31. 4. plot] conspire, or, are founded, that is, have their foundation, plot, or ground-worke laid, as, Exod. 9. 1…. Is…. 44. 28. and this by assembling and consulting, and is therefore interpreted, gathered together, Act. 4. 26. So the Chaldee translateth it, consociate (or joyned together) to rebell before the Lord, & to fight against his anointed. Christ] or Anointed, in Hebrew, Mashiach or Messias, which word, though it be generall for the ancient Kings, and Priests, and Prophets that were anointed with oile, (Psal. 89. 31. and 105. 15. Isa. 45. 1. Num. 3. 3. 1 King. 19. 16.) yet is it principally the name of the Sonne of God, our Saviour, Dan. 9. 25, 26. who was knowne in Israel by the name Messias, Ioh. 1. 41. and 4. 25. and among Greekes, by the name Christ; of whom wee that beleeve in his name, are also called Christians, Act. 11. 26. because wee have an Anointing from him that is holy, 1 Ioh. 2. 20. 27. himselfe being first anointed with the Spirit, and with the oile of gladnesse above his fellowes, Luke 4. 18. Psal. 45. 8. Of him is this Psalme interpreted by his Apostles, saying; Of a truth, Lord, against thy holy Child Iesus, whom thou anointedst, gathered were both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the nations and peoples of Israel, to doe whatsoever thy hand and thy counsell had fore-determined to be done, Act. 4. 27, 28.
Vers. 3. their bands] These were signes of subjection, Ier. 27. 2, 3. 6, 7. And thus the Kings and nations speake, refusing to serve Christ, though his yoke be easie, Matth. 11. 29, 30. Ier. 5. 5. The Hebrew phrase mo, importeth their bands and his; speaking of the Father and the Sonne jointly, and of the Sonne in speciall: but he that honoureth not the Sonne, honoureth not the Father which sent him, Ioh. 5. 23. So in the verse following, the Lord mocketh at them and at him; meaning them all jointly, and each severally. The like manner of speech see in Esay 53. 8. and 44. 15. Lam. 4. 10. Psal. 5. 12. and 11. 7. and 49. 14. and 59. 9. Iob 22. 19. Exod. 15. 15. Deut. 32. 23. 32. 35. 37. cords] or ropes, thicke twisted bands: signes also of subjection and restraint, Iob 39. 13. Ezek. 4. 8. and sometime of love, Hos. 11. 4.
Vers. 4. The Lord] in Hebrew, Adonai; which in this forme is the peculiar title of God; having the forme plurall, and vowels of Iehovah, mystically signifying my staies, or my sustainers, my pillars. And where in one place Adonai is used, another speaking of the same thing hath sometime Iehovah: See Psal. 57. 10. with Psal. 108. 4. It commeth of Aeden, a hase or pillar which sustaineth any thing. The Chaldee translateth it, the Word of the Lord, that is, the title of Christ, Ioh. 1. 1. Rev. 19. 13. Our English word Lord hath much like force, being contracted of the old▪ Saxon Laford, or Hlafford, which commeth of Laef, to sustaine, refresh, cherish▪ mocketh] will mock, deride. This implieth both their folly, their punishment for it, and how God will leave them helplesse in their miserie, Psal. 59. 9. Prov. 1. 26. 28. It is spoken of God, after the manner of men, that hee laugheth, mocketh, is angry, and the like, not that he hath such passions as men, but because he doth such things as men use to doe when they are moved with such passions: and as the Hebrew Doctors say, The law speaketh (of God) according to the language of the sonnes of Adam. See the Annotations on Gen. 6. 6.
Vers. 5. anger] ire, outward in the face, grame, grimnesse or fiercenesse of countenante. The originall aph signifieth both the Nose by which one breatheth, Psal. 115. 6. and Anger which appeareth in the snuffing or breathing of the nose; as Saul is said to breathe out threatnings and slaughter, Act 91. The circumstances of the Text will shew which of the two is meant: though sometime it is doubtfull, as Psal. 138. 7. wrath] fervent ire, inflamed displeasure. This word Charon, noteth burning or inflammation of choler, sometime of griese, Gen. 4. 5. Ior. 4. 10. sometime of other affections, Nehem. 3. 20. suddenly trouble] or vex, apall fright, make them to start. It noteth hastinesse of seare and trouble: opposed to firme staiednesse.
Vers. 6. And I] The word And is here a signe of indignation stirred, as was in the Apostle, when he said, And sittest thou to judge me, &c. Act. 23. 3. or and may be used here for but, as in Gen. 42. 10. Isa. 10. 20. and often otherwhere. have anointed] or powred out, that is, ordained, authorized: by powring out the oile of the spirit, the oile of gladnesse, as is noted on vers. 2. Of this word Nasac that signifieth to shed or powre out, Nasick is used for a governour, or one in authoritie, Psal. 83. 12. Ios. 13. 21. Mic. 5. 5. Dan. 11. 8. According hereto, the wisdome of God saith, Prov. 8. 23. I was anointed (or authorized) from everlasting. In David Christs figure, this was outwardly performed, when he was anointed King, with oile, 1 Sam. 16. 1. 13. and 2. Sam. 2. 4. and 5. 3. upon Si…n] or, over Tsijon, the name of an high mountaine in Ierusalem, on top whereof was a strong fort, which the heathen Iebusites kept by force from Israel, till Davids dayes, Ios. 15. 63. 2 Sam. 5. 6, 7. but he tooke it from them, fortified it, and called it Davids citie, 1 Chro. 11. 4 5 7. Neere unto this was mount Morijah, wheron Solomon built the Temple; 2 Chron. 3. 1. Hereupon Ierusalem was called the holy citie, Nehem. 11. 1. Isa. 52. 1. and 48. 2. Mat. 4. 5. with Luk. 4. 9. and Sion is named the Lords holy mountaine, Ioel 3. 17. which he loved, Psa. 78. 68. from which the law should come forth, Isa. 2. 3. and where he would dwell for ever, Psal. 132. 13, 14. Therefore was it a figure of Christs Church, Heb. 12. 22. Rev. 14. 1. Isa. 60. 14. mountaine of my holinesse] or my mount of holinesse, that is, my holy mount, as the Greeke turneth it. So the Temple of Gods holinesse, Psal. 79. 1. and people of his holinesse, Esa. 63. 18. And in speech to Daniel, Ierusalem is called, the citie of his holinesse, that is, his holy citie, by him so esteemed and regarded, Dan. 9. 24. Such Hebrew phrases, because they are more forcible, the Apostles often used in Greeke, to inure the Gentiles with them: as Christ is called the Sonne of Gods love, that is, his beloved sonne, Col. 1. 13. our Lord Iesus Christ of glory, that is, our glorious Lord, Iam. 2. 1. and many the like.
Vers. 7. I will tell] telling is often used for preaching, declaring, shewing, as Psal. 22. 23. with Heb. 2. 12. Exod. 9. 16. with Rom. 9. 17. So hereby Christ noteth his propheticall office. the decree] Here the Hebrew el seemeth to be used for eth: as cl haderech; 2 Chror. 6. 27. is the same that eth hoderech, 1 King. 8. 36. we may also read it thus, I will tell of the decree; cl being many times used for of, as Gen. 20 2. Iob 42. 7. 2 King. 19. 32. Ier. 51. 60. So the Greeke pros (answering to the Hebrew el) is used for of, or concerning, Heb. 1. 7. and 4. 13. decree] prescript, law or statute: the Greeke translateth it, the ordinance of the Lord; the Chaldee, the Covenant of God. The Hebrew Chok usually denoteth the rules, decrees, and ordinances about Gods worship, as the decree of the passeover, Exod. 12. 24. 43. the decree of dressing the lampes, Exod. 27. 21. of the Priests office and garments, Exod. 29. 9. of their washing, Exod. 30. 21. of the sacrifices, Lev. 3. 17. and 6. 18. 22. and many other things about Gods service. So may it here be taken, that Christ preacheth the decree or rule of his calling to the office of priesthood, as the Apostle gathereth from this place, Hebr. 5. 5. or of serving God, fulfilled of us by faith and obedience to his Gospel, when these legall ordinances had an end, Ioh. 4. 21. &c. thou art my sonne] Though holy men be called the sonnes of God, Deut. 14. 1. 1 Iohn 3. 1. and likewise Angels, Iob 1. 6. and 38. 7. yet is this title naturall and peculiar to our Lord Iesus, the onelyonly begotten of the Father; whereupon the Apostle saith, to which of the Angels said he this at any time? Heb. 1. 5. The word art is supplied by the Apostle, in Act. 13. 33. the like is sometime in the Hebrew Text it selfe; as, True was the word, 1 King. 10. 6. which in 2 Chron. 9. 5. is, True the word: so, Thou leading out, 1 Chron. 11. 2. Thou wast leading out, 2 Sam. 5. 2. Also in the Greeke of the New Testament, Sommer neere, Mat. 24. 32. Sommer is neere, Luke 21. 30. I, this day] or, to day begat thee. The word this is often omitted in the Hebrew; as Deut. 4. 4. 8. 39. and 5. 1. 3. and 26. 17, 18. and often is expressed, as Deut. 2. 25. 30. and 4. 20. and 26. 16. and 27. 9. Of this point, thus speaketh the Apostle: Touching the promise made to the Fathers, God hath fulfilled it unto us their children, in that he raised up Iesus, as it is written in the second Psalme, Thou art my sonne, I this day begat thee, Act. 13. 32, 33. See also Rom. 1. 4. and Heb. 5. 5. where Christs calling to be our High Priest, is from hence proved.
Vers. 8. for thine inheritance] or, to bethine inheritance. This noteth the subjection of the nations to the Sonne of God; as the like manner of speech importeth, Esay 14. 2. Zeph. 2. 9. Levit. 25. 46. Hereupon Christ is called heire, that is, Lord of all, Hebr. 1. 2. See Psal. 82. 8. Ier. 49. 2. for thy firme possession] or, to be thy tenement, to have and to hold. It implieth Christs government of the world; and so the Chaldee expoundeth it, the dominion of the ends of the earth for thy possession. The word for, or some such like, is here to be understood, and sometime the Hebrew expresseth it: as the house, 1 King. 7. 51. in stead of for the house, 2 Chron. 5. 1. servants, 1 Chron. 18. 6. in stead of for servants, 2 Sam. 8. 6. and sundry the like.
Vers. 9. roughly rule them] or, bruse, crush them. The word signifieth to intreat evill, or rigorously: and this is meant of Christs enemies. potter] or former of the clay: this signifieth their utter destruction; for a potters vessell broken cannot be made whole againe, Ier. 9. 11. Esay 30. 14. So in Dan. 2. 44. it is prophefied, that Christs kingdome should breake in peeces and consume all those kingdomes, and it shall stand for ever.
Vers. 10. be prudent] be skilfull, or, behave your selves skilfully, prudently, wisely. be nurtured] or, restrained, chastised, disciplined: and so the Chaldee translateth, receive chastisement ye governours (the Greeke saith, all ye Iudges) of the earth.
Vers. 11. be glad] This word signifieth open and manifest joy, exultation, or outward glee. Gladnesse and trembling are here joyned together, as feare and joy, Matth. 28. 8. The Greeke sheweth in whom this gladnesse should be, saying, shew gladnesse unto him; the Chaldee translateth, pray with trembling.
Vers. 12. Kisse the sonne] Kissing was used in signe of love and of obedience, Gen. 41. 40. 1 Sam. 10. 1. it was used also in religion and divine worship, 1 Kings 19. 18. Hos. 13. 2. Iob 31. 27. All these are due to Christ: but Iudas betrayed the Sonne of man with a kisse, Luke 22. 48. The Greeke translateth, Receive nurture (or instruction) and the Chaldee, receive doctrine; both are implied in kissing of the Sonne, Prov. 24. 26. perish in the way] or, from the way. To perish or be lost in the way, importeth sudden destruction, whiles they are doing their actions: to perish from the way, is to wander or lose the right way, and not know whither to goe. So Deut. 32. 28. perishing in (or from) counsels, is to be void of counsell, not knowing what to deliberate. The Chaldee translateth it, and yee lose the way: the Greeke, and yee perish from the just way. when his anger shall] or for his anger will burne; or, his angry countenance. suddenly] or very soone, or a very little: this manner of speech sometime meaneth a short time, speedily, Psal. 81. 15. Isa. 26. 20. 2 Chron. 12. 7. sometime, a little deale, as Isa. 1. 9. The Greeke here turneth it, soone or suddenly. See also Psal. 8. 6. that hope for safety] or, that shrowd, that relie confidently, that betake themselves for refuge and safety unto him. For, hee is made the author of eternall salvation to all that obey him, Hebr. 5. 9.